Pumpkin spice season is in full effect, and it's nearly impossible to escape. Starbucks has its famous Pumpkin Spice Latte. Pop-Tarts offers a frosted pumpkin pie toaster pastry. You can even get your dental floss or trash bags in pumpkin spice now.

"To me, it’s a clear sign that fall has begun," says Rachel Sherriffe, the executive pastry chef at Marcus DC. Forget that many brands launched their pumpkin spice products back in August – it's actually fall weather in many parts of the U.S. now, and actually the perfect time to enjoy all things pumpkin.

But what is pumpkin spice made of? And how can you use it to make your own festive fall treats? We spoke with pastry chefs who shared their favorite ways to eat seasonally this autumn.

What is in pumpkin spice?

Pumpkin spice usually consists of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and allspice, though some recipes might leave out one or two of these spices.

"A well-balanced ratio of pumpkin spice and sweetness is magic," says Ligia Barros, executive pastry chef at CUT by Wolfgang Puck in Washington, D.C. "As I see it, too-sweet ratios can make the blend of spices taste heavier than it actually is. And the right amount of pumpkin spice in your recipe could bring the best of fall and warmth that you may be looking for without overpowering the other components of your dessert."

What desserts use pumpkin spice?

While pumpkin spice most famously is used for pumpkin pie, the creativity doesn't stop at including it in lattes or Oreos. Here's some inspiration from pastry chefs as to how you can add even more spice to fall desserts

"For me, these are more than desserts; they are small celebrations of the season, each bite a reflection of warmth, or as we call it in Denmark, 'hygge,'" says Claus Olsen, Executive Pastry Chef for The Simon at JW Marriott Reston Station.

  • Pumpkin spice brown butter chocolate chip cookies
  • Pumpkin seed butter
  • Pumpkin spice whipped cream for coffee
  • Pumpkin spice cake
  • Pumpkin spice crème brûlée
  • Espresso ice cream with pumpkin spice

More fall dessert recommendations

Pumpkin spice can be polarizing for some. If the thought of a PSL makes you wish that winter could arrive even sooner, have no fear. Pastry chefs offer some more cozy fall dessert ideas, no pumpkin spice required.

"I think a good alternative is making your own chai spice blend minus the black tea for those who don’t care for pumpkin spice, Sherriffe says. "Chai tends to have the common pumpkin spice ingredients as a base, but it incorporates cardamom and black pepper, which I think adds even more warmth and complexity. Sometimes when I don’t feel like using pumpkin spice, I will replace a recipe that calls for it with a chai blend instead; it adds more dimension."

If you're more of a fruit-forward dessert person, Barros loves poaching pears in the fall, which is when they're in season.

"I recommend adding orange peels, white wine and light brown sugar to your syrup," Barros adds. "And if you have star anise, that matches perfectly, and it's one flavor from the pumpkin spice blend."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The best fall desserts to make – whether you love or hate pumpkin spice

Reporting by Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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