(Family Features) Whether it’s pumpkin spice everything, sweater weather or the anticipation of the holidays, there are many reasons to be excited about this time of year. Autumn is the perfect time to extend the warm-weather fun and celebrate with some fall-focused outdoor entertaining. 

Just as the weather is changing, so can your approach to cooler weather celebrations. Try these tips to help you make the most of your fall festivities:

• There’s no need to say farewell to the outdoors just yet. Make the focal point of your party a cozy outdoor setting, such as a patio with heaters or a fire pit. Add some warm blankets and comfy pillows, and you’ll hardly notice the lower temps.

• Remember days get shorter as they grow colder, so a fall get-together may require special lighting to keep things going after the sun goes down. Fall-inspired string lights, lanterns or candles can add the perfect ambiance for a party that lasts well into the late-night hours. You can find great, affordable options online.

• While it may seem like time to swap the tiki drinks and frozen cocktails for hot toddies and spiked ciders, fall doesn’t mean you must say goodbye to warm-weather favorites. Put an autumn twist on go-to drinks by adding in fall spices. This easy mulled sangria recipe is perfect for sharing with friends at outdoor celebrations.

Find more ideas for fall entertaining at WineFix.com.

Cinnamon Mulled Sangria

Recipe courtesy of the World Wine Guys, authors of “Red Wine”

• 1          bottle Eppa Sangria
• 1          cup apple cider
• 1/2       cup Licor 43 liqueur
• 2          cinnamon sticks
• 1/2       cup packed light brown sugar
• 3          whole cloves
• 1          strip orange peel
• 2          green apples, sliced

1. In large saucepan, mix sangria, apple cider, liqueur, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, cloves and orange peel. Bring to simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring, 5 minutes, or until sugar dissolves. Stir in apples and simmer additional 5 minutes. Serve warm with desired garnishes.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Source: Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits

(Family Features) As leaves fall and temperatures cool, put a comforting twist on breakfast classics like oats and pancakes by incorporating autumn flavors from delicious fall harvest. Whether you're craving something sweet or savory, enjoying a breakfast full of wholesome ingredients and essential nutrients can help kick-start a great day.

Incorporating milk as an ingredient in your breakfast dish, or serving an 8-ounce glass on the side, is a nutritious way to start the day with essential nutrients like high-quality protein, calcium and vitamin D. Embrace the crisp temperatures and bring the whole family together for a delicious morning meal with these six fall breakfast essentials made with milk.

For more seasonal recipes made with milk to help you stay energized all year round, visit MilkLife.com.

Mexican Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal

Enjoy old-fashioned oats with a fall flair. Once sweetened with apples and maple syrup and spiced with cinnamon and salt, mix in 1 cup milk and simmer until creamy. Sprinkle extra cinnamon and garnish with golden raisins.

Chai Quinoa Protein Breakfast Bowl

Jumpstart your morning with this protein breakfast bowl made with quinoa, milk, brown sugar, vanilla and spices galore. 

Amaranth Porridge with Pears, Crunchy Pecans and Yogurt

Toss roasted pecans drizzled in maple syrup with pears and spices then mix into amaranth with milk for a creative twist on a classic breakfast favorite.

Maple Steamer

Two ingredients: milk and maple syrup. Warm up, pour into a mug and sip on this simple, delicious treat.

Apple-Cinnamon Whole-Grain Pancake Muffins

Combine two breakfast favorites – pancakes and muffins – for the ultimate grab-and-go meal made with apples, cinnamon and wholesome milk for your delight.

Caramelized Pear and Pecan Zoats

Try this tasty twist to add vegetables to your breakfast bowl by mixing shredded zucchini and oatmeal to make zoats. Flavored with cinnamon, brown sugar and pecans, this recipe is an ingenious way to bring the fall harvest to your morning meal.

Source: MilkPEP

(Family Features) Whether your tastes tend toward the spooky or spectacular, or maybe a little of both, this Halloween you can set the scene for a scary good time with a menu that entices goblins big and small.

You won’t have to scour a witch’s lair to find the right ingredients for these treats. All you need is Limited Edition TruMoo Orange Scream Milk, which is inspired by an orange frozen ice pop with vanilla ice cream. It’s tasty served on its own in a cold glass, or added to Halloween-inspired recipes perfect for hosting your fellow ghouls and goblins.

Try using it for non-traditional recipes, such as Orange-Cranberry Scones for hosting a scary fun Halloween get-together. Or for another creative snack option at your ghoulish gala, go for Bread Pudding to send guests home screaming with delight.

An added bonus, TruMoo Orange Scream Milk leaves out lots of things. It contains no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial growth hormones, no artificial sweeteners and no artificial flavors, so all that’s left is a nutritious, family-friendly and tasty fun time. TruMoo Orange Scream Milk has no GMO ingredients.

For more Halloween-inspired recipes, visit TruMoo.com, and find TruMoo Milk on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Orange-Cranberry Scones

Servings: 6 scones

Scones:

• 2 1/4    cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4       cup granulated sugar
• 2          teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 4          tablespoons cold butter
• 2          large eggs
• 1/2       cup TruMoo Orange Scream Milk
• 1/2       cup dried cranberries
• 1          tablespoon grated orange peel

Orange Glaze:

• 1/2       cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1          tablespoon TruMoo Orange Scream Milk

1. To prepare Scones: Heat oven to 425° F. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in eggs, one at a time, then milk, cranberries and orange peel.
2. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Refrigerate 30 minutes, or until firm. Pat dough into 8-inch round, about 3/4-inch thick. Cut into six wedges; carefully separate wedges and place on parchment-lined baking sheet about two inches apart. Bake about 15 minutes until lightly golden and crusty.
3. To prepare Orange Glaze: In small bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar and milk until well blended. Cool scones slightly. Drizzle scones with glaze.

Orange Custard Bread Pudding

Servings: 6

• 1          loaf (16 ounces) sliced raisin-cinnamon bread
• 2          cups TruMoo Orange Scream Milk
• 3          large eggs
• 1/2       cup granulated sugar
• 1          tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1/4       teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4       teaspoon orange extract
• 1/8       teaspoon salt
• confectioners’ sugar

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Cut raisin bread into 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups). In large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, orange peel, nutmeg, orange extract and salt. Toss with raisin bread to mix well.
2. Butter 2-quart casserole or baking dish. Pour bread mixture into dish. Place in center of deep, ovenproof pan. Pour boiling water into pan until it reaches halfway up sides of dish. Place pan on center rack in oven. Bake until just set, about 40 minutes. Carefully remove from oven.
3. To serve, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm.

Source: TruMoo