10 Delicious Fall Flavors That Rival Pumpkin Spice

Cranberries get their moment to shine on Thanksgiving. But what about the rest of the year? The tart bite of cranberries is the perfect counterpoint to a lot of the warm and creamy dishes we tend to favor when autumn comes. Try this orange cranberry sauce recipe to complete your holiday meal, use them to make homemade granola with lots of chopped nuts and vanilla, or make cranberry butter to spread over warm apple bread or pumpkin muffins.

'Tis the season for fresh figs, and all their honeyed sweetness. They also have the benefit of being a delicious complement to both sweet and savory dishes. One option? Make a simple fig jam that deliciously complements cheeses and meats. For dessert, try simple sautéed figs with butter and cinnamon over vanilla ice cream.

Maple is one of those flavors that you might associate with autumn but rarely use outside of pancake time. Sadly, it can't be pancake time all the time. Happily, maple flavors can still be part of your day from morning to night. Try cupcakes with maple bacon frosting, grilled pork chops with a maple glaze or roasted Brussels sprouts with maple and bacon.

Chai is one of the those flavors that you've probably enjoyed but not quite understood. It simply means "tea" in Hindu, but in the U.S. chai is understood to mean a drink made with black tea, milk and spices that typically include cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. These flavors work beautifully in baked goods, and they're comforting on cold or rainy days. Try making cake or muffins with chai flavors.

Pears get slightly overshadowed by apples, especially around autumn. And that's a shame, because pear is one of the most subtle and versatile flavors of the season. Use fresh pear slices to top crostini with ricotta cheese and a drizzle of honey, or harness the natural sugars in pears by caramelizing them in the oven. Roasted pears with crumbled bacon also makes a spectacular and easy side dish for pork.

Working with butternut squash might seem intimidating, when you're holding a hefty squash in both hands. But this sweet and slightly nutty ingredient is worth taking home, in part because it's so easy to prepare. It can be as simple as slicing the squash down the middle, seasoning it and roasting the halves until the flesh is tender. Make the perfect cold-weather soup using little more than roasted squash, broth and a blender.

For some people, ginger only gets its moment when gingerbread season comes around in December. This year, get a head start and embrace spicy ginger during autumn. Make delicious gluten-free gingerbread cookies, hot ginger tea with a little honey (add a little whiskey for an adults-only treat), or try a ginger pear tart or ginger applesauce. And of course, ginger belongs in garlicky, spicy stir-fries all year long.

They're earthy, hearty and just a little bit sweet. Carrots are the perfect fall vegetable, though you're missing out if you're only eating them in savory dishes. Try slow cooker maple glazed carrots or creamy curried carrot soup with ginger for a cozy dinner on a cold night. For dessert, treat yourself to spiced carrot bars with cream cheese frosting or soft carrot pudding with raisins and nuts.