Will We All Be Snacking Like Brits Soon?

I tasted the beloved Colin the Caterpillar and Percy Pig candies now sold at Target.

Persimmon Sticky Toffee Pudding

This version of Britain’s famous sticky toffee pudding dessert replaces the usual dates with ripe Hachiya persimmons. The fruit lends a warm, honey-sweet flavor to the moist sponge cake that’s a cozy match for the buttery toffee sauce that bathes it. Persimmons come in two varieties: the Fuyu, which has a squat shape and flat bottom that resembles a beefsteak tomato, and Hachiya, which is more acorn-shaped with a tapered bottom. The bright-orange fall fruits have different qualities and for this dessert we chose soft, very ripe Hachiyas because their moist, jelly-like flesh gives the dessert the ideal mix of sweetness and fruity flavor. We baked the cakelets in mini bundt molds, which while nontraditional is an excellent way to increase nooks and crannies for trapping the irresistible caramel-like sauce.

Pumpkin Pasties-Inspired Hand Pies

These sweet and tender pumpkin pastries will make you feel like you just ordered from the Honeydukes refreshment cart onboard the Hogwarts Express. Pasties are the British version of hand pies, a perfect snack for a long train ride. Our take on these treats uses an easy short-crust dough for the pastry and a sweet pumpkin puree spiced with cinnamon and cardamom for the filling. No upcoming train rides? Enjoy them at a Harry Potter-themed get-together or anytime you could use a little home-baked wizardry — just be careful not to get crumbs on your robe!