#7. Fern Creek Pumpkin Spice Toffee

Folks, a clear front-runner has emerged among pumpkin-flavored products. Eager to begin the long weekend, I busted out of work like a bat out of hell and headed (where else?) World Market. I had a vague memory of seeing some pumpkin popcorn on their website and was hoping to find it in store. No such luck; however, I did pick up some pumpkin pasta sauce (review forthcoming) and a bar of pumpkin spice toffee with roasted pepita made by the good people at Fern Creek.

Actually, I am only assuming Fern Creek is staffed by "good people." They could only employ bad people. Or good dwarves. Who knows, really. 

But let's not let the mystery of who made this toffee distract me from singing its praise. I have never encountered such a rich pumpkin confection.  The buttery crisp interior is infused with intense gingery squash flavor and then encased in a thick layer of milk chocolate with admirable (re: real) cocoa content.  And the sprinkles on this sundae, if you will, are the roasted pepitas (squash seeds) that add additional crunch and some salty notes.

God damn, why did I only buy one bar?

#2. Extra Pumpkin Spice Gum

Spotted this baby at CVS and thanks to a 30% off coupon, scored it for only $1.17. WIN.

I am not a gum-chewer, but on a rare occasion, I enjoy the casual stick o' spearmint. Pumpkin-spiced flavored gum seems the stuff of Willy-Wonka, and I commend Extra for branching out into unique vegetable flavor.

Looks more peachy than pumpkin-y.

This gum tastes vaguely of pumpkin and nothing of spice....but oddly like pumpkin cream soda? In any event, it provides an enjoyable mastication experience, though will disappoint those eager for a strong pumpkin taste.

Back to drawing board, Extra.