Warm up to fall with comforting treats

By Jenny Harper

Family Features

I love it when the days are cool and the evenings have just a bit of a chill in the air. It’s cool enough for my favorite fall sweater, but I can leave the winter coats in the closet for a little bit longer.

Days like these call for something to warm the family up from the inside out. Rich ‘N Creamy Mint Cocoa is perfect for a cool afternoon or on an early weekend morning. And scrumptious Warm Cherry Bread Pudding with Chocolate Sauce is a little bit of comfort-food heaven!

These are two of my favorite ways to warm up to fall; what are yours? You can get some new ideas at www.VeryBestBaking.com.

Rich ‘N Creamy Mint Cocoa

2 cans (12 fluid ounces each) Nestl ® Carnation Evaporated Milk

12/3 cups (10-ounce package) Nestl ® Toll House Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping suggestions: whipped cream and Nestl ® Toll House Baking Cocoa.

Heat evaporated milk, morsels and water in medium, heavy-duty saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until hot (do not boil). Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract.

Pour into 10 4-ounce demitasse cups or five mugs. Top with whipped cream and dusting of cocoa.

Variation: Substitute evaporated low-fat 2% milk for the regular evaporated milk. Makes 101/2-cup servings