The leaves are changing color, temperatures are gradually cooling and the Halloween goodies have been out in stores for far too long already.
It can only mean one thing: Pumpkin spice season is in full swing.
The supermarkets may be laden with artificially-flavored fall food items (pumpkin spice pasta? Really guys?), but nothing tops a classic like the humble pumpkin pie. Across America, hard-working bakeries are churning out brilliant batches, and here's where you go to sample the best.
A Slice of Pie (Rolla, Missouri)
This no-frills bakery has been around since 1986 and not much has changed-in either decor or pie fillings.
The pies are all handmade fresh each morning, meaning you need to get there early to bag your desired flavor. Pumpkin is served as a specialty pie during fall, so you should expect big slices, buttery crusts and heaping dollops of whipped cream.
Emporium Pies(Dallas, Texas)
The tagline for this specialty pie shop is "fine pies for fine folk," and you won't find us disagreeing with either sentiment.
Emporium specializes in unique flavor combinations and witty names. They manage to keep local interest by only stocking around seven different pies at a time.
The "Drop Dead Gourdgeous" is their pumpkin offering, and it features a spiced pumpkin custard baked inside a gingerbread crust.
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Mom's Apple Pie Company (Leesburg, Virginia)
Don't be scared off by the cored-fruit-centric name, they serve much more than just apple pies at Mom's. This shop is somewhat of an institution around these parts, collecting awards and famous visitors for years.
They specialize in baking premium, preservative-free pies here, using mostly their own home-grown fruit and pumpkins. Pies come with either a shortcrust pastry case or a crumb topping and are sold by the slice or full pie.
Petsi Pies (Somerville, Massachusetts)
This cozy bakery is a veritable wonderland of pies, scones, pastries and cupcakes, all baked by the owner fresh each morning.
The drool-worthy pumpkin pie is made to a fairly traditional recipe and is definitely a must-buy at this time of year, but we wouldn't be surprised if the delectable salted caramel apple or sweet potato pecan pies tempted your taste buds too.
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Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Brooklyn, New York)
Owned by two pie-fanatic sisters, this creatively-named pie shop and bakery sells freshly-baked seasonal pies full of creative fillings.
Ingredients for all of the pies come from local suppliers, and a lot of love and attention goes into the creation of the unique fillers (salted honey and matcha are two menu favorites). The custard in the pumpkin pie is made with a browned butter, giving it a delicious nutty taste.
Pie-o-neer Pies (Pie Town, New Mexico)
Taking a trip to Pie-o-neer Pies is like stepping back in time. Located in Pie Town (its real name), just off U.S. "PieWay" 60 (likely not its real name), this wood-fronted shop looks like it once played backdrop to a cowboy movie.
Inside, you can take your seat at the Pie Bar and order up a slice of any number of freshly-baked pies. Unusual flavors include the shop's range of chile-based pies (think peach and green chile), which are served up alongside their award-winning meringue-topped chocolate, banana or coconut cream pies.
But it's fall, so of course, you need to try a slice of the pumpkin-just call ahead first and make sure they haven't already sold out.
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