Autumn Fun for the Whole Family

MISSION, KS--(Marketwired - Sep 19, 2013) - (Family Features) Fall brings with it beautiful weather, cool breezes and colorful foliage. Celebrate all of the beauty, fun and flavors of the season with your family. Take a hike, visit a pumpkin patch, plan a party or spend the afternoon baking autumn-inspired treats.

Here are a few fun ideas to enjoy fall with your family:

• One traditional fall favorite is apple butter. Crisp apples are cooked slowly until the sugars caramelize into a deep, rich flavor. That's also the way Musselman's makes it. Spread it on toast, pancakes or other baked goods. It is also a great way to add a new flavor to your favorite, familiar dishes. For tips and recipes, such as apple or pumpkin dips, visit www.musselmans.com.
  
  
• Take your family to the pumpkin patch. Pick a pumpkin or enjoy playgrounds, hay rides, corn mazes, petting zoos, hay forts and farm tours found at many patches. Take a picnic and enjoy the day.
  
  
• Celebrate autumn with a potluck. Encourage guests to bring dishes made with classic fall flavors like caramel, pumpkin, apples and warm spices. Simply adding apple butter to favorite family recipes will give a cinnamon apple flavor to much loved dishes.
  
  
• Those lucky enough to live in an area where leaves turn breathtaking shades of bronze, yellow, orange and red should take advantage of the natural beauty with a family hike or slow drive through the country.
  
  

Every autumn, nature puts on a brilliant color show in many parts of the country. The beautiful weather, colorful background and traditional activities are the perfect excuse to embrace fall fun with your family.

Heavenly Sweet Potato Casserole
Servings: 8

Place potatoes in medium saucepan; add about 1 inch of water. Cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain very well. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 1 1/2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Mix apple butter, eggs, cream, honey and 1/4 cup melted butter. Add potatoes and beat by hand or with electric mixer until mashed and well mixed. Spoon into casserole.

Mix brown sugar, pecans and remaining butter in small bowl. Sprinkle over potatoes. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars
Servings: 16

Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Line with heavy-duty foil, leaving an overhang on two sides to facilitate removal of bars from pan. Coat foil with cooking spray.

Mix flour, oatmeal, sugar and salt in medium bowl. Stir in butter with fork until well mixed and clumps form, and then spread half the oatmeal mixture over foiled pan bottom, pressing to form thin crust. Spread butter over crust and then sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture on top.

Bake until crisp and golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Use foil "handles" to remove bars from pan. Cut into squares and serve.

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