Panera Bread Debuted Its New Fall Menu (and No, It's Not Just Pumpkin Spice)

It's a rough time of year for folks who don't care for the fall flavor of the season. While pumpkin spice has been a staple of seasonal fall menus for several years, that trend is slowing — and more restaurants are offering other traditional fall favorites alongside the plethora of pumpkin-themed foods and beverages. Panera Bread is bucking the trend entirely this year and instead focuses on warm breakfast on-the-go options.

The only pumpkin on the menu is a cookie, and it's free if you sign up for MyPanera, the reward program for Panera customers. Signing up for loyalty programs can be annoying, but it's also one of several ways to stretch your budget further so you can enjoy going out to eat more often.

See the new menu items you can try now at Panera Bread.

(Note: Prices may vary by location.)

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Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches

Courtesy of Panera Bread

Price: $4.99 - $6.59

You'll need to snag these delectable breakfast croissant sandwiches before 10:30 a.m. when the breakfast menu ends. The base price is for a scrambled egg and melted white cheddar, but you can add sausage or bacon for slightly more.

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Cranberry Orange Slice

Courtesy of Panera Bread

Price: $3.89

This is the perfect excuse to eat cake for breakfast, as the batter is stuffed with whole cranberries, sweet orange flavor, and sour cream and is finished sprinkled with coarse sugar on top. This is available for a limited time only, so don't wait to try it.

Cherry Pastry

Courtesy of Panera Bread

Price: $3.89

A flaky pastry stuffed with a tart cherry filling and finished with drizzled icing is a bit like having your own personal cherry pie. Cherry season may be over, but cherry pastry season is just starting at Panera.

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Almond Pastry

Courtesy of Panera Bread

Price: $3.89

The new almond pastry is much like the cherry version, but instead of cherries, it's stuffed with a sweet almond filling and topped with sliced almonds and drizzled icing.

Chocolate Coconut and Coconut Macaroon 3-Pack

Courtesy of Panera Bread

Price: $5

If you love a good coconut macaroon, you'll want to try the new chocolatey version, which is dipped in chocolate for a decadent finish. They can be bought individually for $1.99, but just go ahead and spring for the better deal on the three-pack because one won't be enough.

Pumpkin Cookie

Courtesy of Panera Bread

Price: $3.39

This shortbread cookie is shaped like a pumpkin and decorated with orange icing to complete the design — and it's the only "pumpkin" on the menu. Want one for free? Sign up for the MyPanera rewards program, and you can add one of these to your order at no cost.

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Bottom line

Panera Bread has recently added several new items to its menu, hoping to lure customers back to dining out instead of eating meals at home to save money. The rising cost of restaurant dining has hit many families hard, turning it from a regular occurrence to a rarer treat.

If you're struggling to afford eating out, it might be time to check up on your financial health so you can make moves that allow you the freedom to eat when and where you like.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).