Celebrating Fall Flavors… with Braces!

Cue the classic Halloween movies, pumpkin spice flavors and fall-scented candles. It’s officially fall in Johnson City!

What better way to celebrate the change of weather than with some tasty, braces-approved, sweet recipes?

As you probably know, eating with braces requires some additional care and caution—but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some seasonal sweets! It just means you have the opportunity to branch out and try some different recipes that won’t require a braces repair.

You never know which recipe could become your new favorite. Check out these delicious fall-inspired recipes to kick off the season.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 bag (10 oz) mini marshmallows

Directions:

1. Boil sweet potatoes for about 20 to 25 minutes until soft.
2. When sweet potatoes are soft, peel them.
3. Place peeled sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl and add brown sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs, and melted butter. Mix until well blended.
4. Transfer the filling into a greased 2 quart baking dish.
5. Bake in the oven at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle mini marshmallows on top.
7. Return to the oven for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
8. Let the casserole cool for at least 15 minutes.
   Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Cookie Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup Canned Pumpkin
• 2 Cups Flour
• 4 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 2 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. Ginger
• (Optional) 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
• 1/2 Cup Butter (Sweet Cream Salted)
• 8 oz. block of Cream Cheese
• 3 tsp. Vanilla
• 4 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon

Baking Instructions:

1. Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs and pumpkin; mix thoroughly!
3. Mix flour, baking powder, salt and spices together
4. Add the two mixes together and mix until blended.
5. Once fully blended, drop a spoonful of the cookie batter onto a cookie sheet.
6. The cookies will expand in the oven! Create as many cookies as the batter allows.
7. Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes.
8. Wait 15 minutes for them to cool.
9. Ice the cookies with the cinnamon cream cheese frosting!

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
• Mix cream cheese, butter and vanilla until blended.
• Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue to mix until sugar is blended.
• Add cinnamon!

Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Donut Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 4 to 5 tablespoons half-and-half
• 1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers Original biscuits

Baking Instructions:

1. Use a 1 inch deep fat fryer or heavy 3-quart saucepan
2. Heat vegetable oil over medium heat to 350°F.
3. Place a paper towel under a cooling rack and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, stir powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice and half-and-half. Whisk until smooth! Be sure to use enough half-and-half for glaze consistency. Set aside the glaze mix.
5. Separate the biscuits into 8 biscuits. Using a small round cookie cutter, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit to create a donut,
6. Gently place 2 to 3 biscuits in hot oil (biscuit holes can also be fried!). Fry for about 1 minute or until golden brown.
7. Gently turn the donuts with tongs and fry on the other side for about 1 minute or until golden brown.
8. Move the donuts to a cooling rack and let cool for about 2 minutes.
9. When cooled, dip the donuts into the glaze mix. Return the donuts to the cooling rack and let the glaze dry for about 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Although there are some foods you should avoid when eating with braces, there are plenty of tasty, braces-approved recipes to choose from.

Try out one of these recipes. Or try all three recipes in one night… No one’s judging.

Clean teeth reminder: Don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth when you’re done! It’s important that you clean your teeth and braces thoroughly to prevent bacteria from building up between your teeth, and around your brackets or wires. Excessive sugar can also wear down your enamel, and your enamel is essential for maintaining strong teeth.

If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Johnson City, Dr. Jewett would love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.