Kim, Author at Cinnamon and Sugar

Chilled Coffee Souffle

I am very happy to help Tonya Kappes celebrate her new release, SCENE OF THE GRIND! This first book in her brand new Killer Coffee Mystery series is off to a buzzing start. I enjoyed reading from the start as the protagonist, Roxanne Bloom prepares to open her new coffeehouse, The Bean Hive, in Honey Springs, Kentucky, and begin a new chapter in her life. Too often I start a series in the middle or towards the end and have backtracking to do so it was a delight to find this series as it debuted. The first part of the book has a lot of details on Roxanne’s background, the struggles of getting her business ready to open, and being introduced to characters. I felt like the author was taking her time to set the stage not only for this particular book but also for future books. Some might think it’s a bit slow starting out, however, I like knowing backstory and having the chance to get to know the characters.

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Once the murder takes place, the mystery moves along quite nicely with plenty of suspects to keep the reader guessing. There is a heartwarming theme of pet rescues and adoptions and I loved the sweet scene where Roxanne finds the perfect match with Pepper, the dog meant for her. SCENE OF THE GRIND is sprinkled with darling Southern sayings and mannerisms, giving it an authentic feel. The author creatively uses adorable business names along the lake’s boardwalk….and made me want to have the chance to visit this charming location!

The Bean Hive serves up tasty treats and Tonya Kappes has included several yummy recipes* at the back of the book. I decided to try the Chilled Coffee Souffle…it sounded so unique and refreshing…and it is! I was a bit worried while making the recipe because I really couldn’t envision what it was supposed to turn out like (I like a cooking challenge, what can I say?). I changed a bit of the recipe to make it easier with a more attractive serving presentation, which resulted in yum! I loved the foamy light coffee scented top layer which complimented the full-bodied sweet coffee bottom layer. It reminded me of a café latte, which is my favorite coffeehouse drink. (*Recipe submitted by Andrea Stoeckel who said, “This recipe is one of the first my grandmother taught me over fifty years ago!”)

Amazon Synopsis

Scene of the Grind is the first in USA TODAY bestselling author Tonya Kappes’ new A Killer Coffee Mystery Series. The series takes place in the cozy southern fictional tourist town of Honey Springs, Kentucky.

Roxanne Bloom (her friends, though few call her Roxie) quit her job as a lawyer, divorced her cheating husband, and moved to the quaint town of Honey Springs, Kentucky where she’d spent many of her teenage summers visiting her eccentric and fun-loving Aunt Maxi.

Roxy follows her dream and opens The Bean Hive, Honey Springs first coffee house on the town’s newly revitalized boardwalk. that opens just in time for Honey Springs annual Honey Festival.

Roxy’s life couldn’t be better. Business was booming, she’s reconnected with special people from her past, including her first teenage love, and visits The Crooked Cat book store, which is still her favorite shop in Honey Springs.

One problem, Aunt Maxi and Alexis Roarke, owner of Crooked Cat, aren’t on the best of terms. Alexis leases the book store’s building from Aunt Maxi and the rent is going up.

Roxy takes Alexis a fresh cup of coffee from The Bean Hive and a tasty pastry as a peace offering between the two women, but discovers the beloved book store owner murdered and Aunt Maxi is the number one suspect.

Gossip in Honey Springs is as hot at the coffee served at the Bean Hive and Roxy has to uncover who is behind the murder not only to save her shop, her aunt, but her life.

A huge thank you to Tonya Kaapes for providing an e-book copy of SCENE OF THE GRIND for one lucky winner! Contest ends Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Coffee Soufflé

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin
1-1/2 cups brewed coffee, cooled
1/2 cup whole milk (or half & half, or heavy cream)
1/2 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 pasteurized eggs, separated**
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Combine gelatin and cold coffee in a small bowl and let set for 5 minutes to soften.
Whisk the egg yolks and set aside.
In a heat-proof bowl or the top of a double boiler, combine the coffee mixture, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt.
Set the bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Stir until sugar is dissolved and gelatin has melted.
Whisk in remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the egg yolks.
Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a metal spoon and reaches at least 160 degrees (F).
Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
Whip the egg whites (with a pinch of salt if desired) until soft peaks form.
Slowly add 1 tablespoon sugar to the whipped egg whites and then continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
Stir egg whites and vanilla into cooled coffee mixture. Mix until egg whites are mostly incorporated but it's okay if it is a little lumpy.
Divide between several cocktail or wine glasses, making sure there's both foam and coffee liquid in each glass. Chill until set, at least 4 hours.
Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate just before serving.

Tips

Be sure there are no specks of yolk or grease present in the mixing bowl and beaters used to whip the egg whites.
**Eating raw or undercooked eggs poses a health risk to everyone, but especially to the elderly, young children under age 4, pregnant women and other highly susceptible individuals with compromised immune systems. Whole Food Markets sell pasteurized eggs or you can try this (unproven) method for pasteurizing eggs at home as provided by http://bakingbites.com/2011/03/how-to-pasteurize-eggs-at-home/ Please use your discretion when eating undercooked items.

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Note: Eating raw or undercooked eggs poses a health risk to everyone, but especially to the elderly, young children under age 4, pregnant women and other highly susceptible individuals with compromised immune systems. Whole Food Markets sell pasteurized eggs or you can try this (unproven) method for pasteurizing eggs at home as provided by: Baking Bites. Please use your discretion when eating undercooked items.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Missy DuBois’s Sweet-Milk Biscuits

I love being introduced to new authors and new series and was delighted to have the chance to read SOMETHING FOUL AT SWEETWATER by Sandra Bretting. Set in Louisiana, Sandra brings Southern charm via her protagonist, Missy Dubois. Missy runs a hat shop, Crowning Glory, catering to brides and wedding parties. I loved hearing Missy’s “voice” right off the bat. She’s chatty, uses Southern colloquialisms that had me laughing out loud at times, and she is a tiny bit self-deprecating, making her instantly likable. Missy’s best friend, Ambrose “Bo” Jackson, provides a nice balance to Missy and is owner of Allure Couture, designing bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses. They make a good team and there is definitely chemistry happening in their relationship but it doesn’t detract from the mystery. The author paints strong descriptive scenes bringing the sights, sounds, and smells of the humid bayou to life.

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Weaving murder, superstitions, voodoo queens, and bridezillas into the story, Sandra pulls you in for an entertaining read. She provides plenty of suspects to keep you guessing and turning pages to find out what happens next. Even though this is the second book in the Missy DuBois Mystery series, it is easily read as a standalone.

Even though there aren’t any recipes included with the book, Sandra Bretting has provided Missy DuBois’s Sweet-Milk Biscuits recipe for me to share. Buttery, fluffy, and oh so delicious, these biscuits are easy to mix up for a quick breakfast or snack. The one thing that struck me as the biscuits were baking is that the comforting aroma instantly transported me to my childhood, reminding me of biscuits my Texan dad baked for us on weekends. He wasn’t a cook but did like to make breakfast. Even though I don’t have his recipe, and he has been gone many years, these biscuits are so similar to what I remember and they made a treasured childhood memory more special.

From the Publisher

Louisiana hat maker Miss DuBois is making a name for herself veiling Southern brides-to-be with her sophisticated designs. She’s also gaining a reputation for unveiling murderers . . .

Missy is shocked when she sees the asking price for the Sweetwater mansion . . . in a good way. With business thriving at Crowning Glory, it would be nice to set up shop surrounded by alabaster columns and gleaming mahogany. The Southern connections only deepen when it turns out the real estate agent is Mellette Babineaux, a college classmate and sorority sister. But when Missy drags her best friend Bo along to the mansion for a second look, they barely make it past the live oaks before they discover Mellette’s dead body in a shed. Now, for the sake of her college friend, Missy finds herself investigating everyone from a superstitious Cajun caretaker to a Rolls Royce-driving billionaire–and finding that lots of closet space can mean lots of skeletons, too . . .

A huge thank you to Sandra Bretting for providing winner’s choice of either a print copy or an e-book copy of SOMETHING FOUL AT SWEETWATER for one lucky winner! Print limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Missy DuBois’s Sweet-Milk Biscuits

15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

30 minutes

Yield: 8 - 9 biscuits

Ingredients

Ask any Southerner about the key to a great biscuit, and she (or he) will invariably point to the milk. I personally never trust any biscuit recipe that calls for plain, garden-variety milk. In my book series, which is called the Missy DuBois Mystery series, Missy and her friends enjoy sweet-milk biscuits, usually alongside a platter of crispy fried chicken and a tall glass of sweet tea. (Apparently, we Southerners love our sugar.) This is the best recipe I’ve found to make melt-in-your-mouth sweet-milk biscuits like grandma (or “Nana”) used to make.

Ingredients

6 Tbs unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbs sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 Tbs baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free or low-fat buttermilk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Cut butter into small pieces. Spread the butter pieces on a plate and (briefly) place in the freezer while you measure out and mix the dry ingredients. The butter should be cold, but not frozen.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Knead the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles small crumbs (about the size of a pea).
Make a hole in the middle of the flour and add buttermilk. Gently stir until the dough is mixed together but still tacky. If it’s too dry, add more buttermilk.
Pour the mixed dough out onto a floured surface and pat gently into a rectangle.
Fold the dough on itself, and then pat down to about an inch thick.
With a 2 ½ inch round biscuit cutter (I cheat and use a Campbells soup can with the top & bottom removed), push down to cut the dough and pull up again.
Arrange the biscuits on a parchment-lined cookie sheet almost touching each other and bake for 13-16 minutes until browned.
Slather with butter and enjoy!

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Bacon Pecan Popcorn

One of the small pleasures in life is starting a brand new series when it first releases and then anticipating the next installment. Such is the case with Kristi Abbott’s Popcorn Shop Mystery series and I’ve been eagerly waiting for her newest release, POP GOES THE MURDER. Her protagonist, Rebecca Anderson, is adorably sassy and the clever, snappy dialog kept me entertained. At times I wondered if the author had been a stand-up comedienne in a former life… she certainly knows how to deliver one-liners! The mystery starts off with a bang from the very beginning and the pace never lets up. The story is well plotted with plenty of suspects that kept me guessing and turning pages and I devoured the book like it was a bowl of buttery popcorn. The cast of supporting characters are also well developed and add depth to the subplots. Rebecca’s evolving relationship with her very pregnant sister (who brings added humor to the story) is sweet to watch as it unfolds. Rebecca also seems to be finding her place in the small Ohio town. After her ex-husband brings the world and drama of celebuchefs to the quiet town, it appears she embraces her choice even more.

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Rebecca owns POPS, a gourmet popcorn shop and there is plenty of food mentioned to make you hungry. Fortunately, Kristi provides a couple recipes at the back of the book. She graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Bacon Pecan Popcorn….oh my! When I read through the recipe I thought it sounded good. But when I made it and started sampling this delightful concoction I literally could not stop eating it. I had it for snack, then I munched on it for lunch, and by the time I was back nibbling on it for another snack I decided I’d better share with other family members. The salty bacon, buttery pecans, and crunchy popcorn combine beautifully together with a generous amount of praline style caramel sauce. So mix yourself up a batch of this Bacon Pecan Popcorn and sit down and enjoy POP GOES THE MURDER!

From the Publisher

Gourmet popcorn entrepreneur Rebecca Anderson and her poodle, Sprocket, are back on the case, in the second Popcorn Shop Mystery from the author of Kernel of Truth.

Despite Rebecca Anderson’s best efforts to distance herself from her ex-husband, the guy keeps popping up. When Antoine offers to feature her breakfast bars and popcorn fudge on his popular cooking show, she suspects he’s once again trying to butter her up—but the TV exposure for her gourmet popcorn shop, POPS, is too good to turn down.

Things take a shocking turn when the crew comes to Grand Lake to film in her shop, and Rebecca discovers Antoine’s assistant electrocuted in a hotel bathtub. Now the police want Antoine to come clean. Her ex may be a pain, but he’s no killer. So Rebecca decides to bag the real culprit. If she isn’t careful, however, she may be the next one getting burned.

A huge thank you to Kristi Abbott for providing an autographed copy of POP GOES THE MURDER for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Bacon Pecan Popcorn

Ingredients

4 cups popped popcorn (Pop 1/3 cup kernels in 1/4 cup oil)
1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup Karo syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound bacon, cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 cup pecans

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees (F).
Melt butter in a medium sauce pan.
Add in the brown sugar, Karo syrup, and salt.
Bring to a boil, stirring. Then set the timer!
Let it simmer for 5 minutes without stirring.
Remove from heat, add in baking soda and vanilla.
Pour over the popcorn and mix. Add in the bacon and pecans.
Pour popcorn mixture into a shallow pan lined with parchment and bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Let cool, then break apart.
Store in an airtight container, if there's any left to store!

Tips

I used pre-popped Skinny Pop for this recipe since I always have a bag...or two on hand.
Instead of frying bacon you can bake it. Much easier and less cleanup! Simply line a baking sheet with foil then arrange the bacon in a single layer. Bake in a preheated 400 degree (F) oven for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy. Place the cooked bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and allow to cool before using.

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Doggie Blueberry Biscuits

I’m delighted to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for CUSTOM BAKED MURDER by Liz Mugavero! This new release is the fifth book in her Pawsitively Organic Mystery series but can easily be read as a stand alone. From the very beginning of the book, this fast-paced mystery is full of charming pets and an entertaining protagonist, Kristan “Stan” Connor. Stan is preparing to open her Pawsitively Organic Patisserie and Cafe in Frog Ledge, Connecticut and has three short months to put it together. She’s also struggling to juggle her overbearing mother, Patricia, (who is also one of her investors), along with her flaky, spoiled sister who decides to move herself and her six-year-old daughter in with Stan. Fortunately, Stan’s live-in boyfriend, Jake, is a very understanding guy and does all he can to support her. But things go from bad to worse when a former co-worker of Stan’s is found murdered at Patricia and the mayor’s engagement party. When Stan’s ex is arrested for the murder, she knows he’s innocent and decides to start finding answers since it appears the local police are hiding the truth.

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Even with Stan’s whirlwind problems and schedule, she is still a very loyal, caring person, both towards humans and animals. She has a very contentious relationship with her distant, snobbish mother but wants more. She has also been slightly estranged from her sister so when she shows up on Stan’s doorstep it provides an awkward moment. But Stan steps up to the plate and works on helping her sister and niece out, providing room for growth and the chance to mend their relationship. I enjoyed seeing the changes that came about in their family dynamics. The mystery is satisfying and there is a subplot theme of drug abuse and addiction that adds to the depth of the story.

Stan’s new shop will sell organic pet treats and Liz Mugavero provides several pet recipes at the back of the book. I like that all her treats are human-grade and can be enjoyed by pets and humans alike. She has graciously allowed me to share the recipe for Blueberry Biscuits which was developed by The Big Biscuit in Franklin, Massachusetts. These whole grain treats are lightly sweetened with vanilla Greek yogurt and blueberries and are a healthy way to spoil your favorite furry friend! My grandpuppy, Piper, certainly loved these treats and gobbled them down as fast as we could feed them to her!

Amazon Synopsis

Kristan “Stan” Connor gladly turned tail on her high-flying job and moved to a quaint New England town to sell organic pet treats. But with her nose for solving murders, there’s no such thing as a quiet life…

Summer is winding down in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, but Stan’s love life and career are both heating up nicely. In between planning her new pet patisserie and café, Stan is settling into living-in-bliss with sexy pub owner Jake McGee. Love’s on the menu for Stan’s mom, Patricia, too, who’s engaged to Frog Ledge’s mayor, Tony Falco.

Mayor Falco’s dogged ambition isn’t popular among locals, but it’s his executive coach, Eleanor Chang, who’s inspired a dangerous grudge. When Eleanor is found dead, there’s a whole pack of suspects to choose from. Stan has first-hand experience of Eleanor’s unsavory business tactics. But finding out who forced her to take a fatal plunge off the corporate ladder means unearthing some shady secrets…and a killer who’s too close for comfort.

A very special thank you to Liz Mugavero for providing up to 10 copies of CUSTOM BAKED MURDER! This giveaway is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and you can use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends January 11, 2017 and is limited to U.S. residents only. Winners will be announced on this page and on Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours site, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Doggie Blueberry Biscuits

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 cup water

Instructions

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Add wet ingredients and mix well.
Using a cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-size amounts of mixture onto a lightly greased or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days.
Cookies may be dehydrated for a longer shelf life.

Tip

Frozen blueberries can be used if fresh berries aren't available. No need to defrost, just mix the frozen blueberries into the dough and increase the baking time for a minute or two.
Small wild blueberries work better for these treats rather than large cultivated berries.
Extra treats can be frozen for storage. Freeze the treats on a baking sheet until solid then place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Remove individual treats as needed and allow to come to room temperature before serving to your furry friend.

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Tour Participants

January 5 – Bibliophile Reviews
January 5 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows
January 6 – The Self-Rescue Princess
January 6 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder
January 6 – Melina’s Book Blog
January 7 – Books,Dreams,Life
January 7 – Girl with Book Lungs
January 8 – Texas Book-aholic
January 8 – StoreyBook Reviews
January 9 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews
January 9 – Laura’s Interests
January 10 – A Chick Who Reads
January 10 – Island Confidential
January 11 – Classy Cheapskate
January 11 – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mom’s Famous Chocolate Spice Cake

Chocolate…my most favorite flavor in all the world! It was with great happiness when I picked up Ellie Alexander’s brand new release in her Bakeshop Mystery series, FUDGE AND JURY, and started reading about Ashland’s annual Chocolate Festival! The author transports us to a world of sweet confectionery with Jules, owner of her family’s bakeshop Torte, the “Queen of Sugar”. I love to bake and spend time in the kitchen and Ellie Alexander beautifully captures the feelings I have being there. She writes those feelings in such descriptive language that I feel like I’m right in Torte’s warm, cozy kitchen. “Food is an expression of art and love” is how Jules puts it and that expression truly shows as the theme is woven into a nice “whodunit” mystery. There are plenty of suspects to keep you guessing with the plot moving along nicely.

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However, this series’ greatest strength is the characters and keeps me coming back to see what happens next. Jules and her mother have a tender relationship, even if Jules was quite distant during her ten years away from Ashland. They’ve made up for that time and as a result share a true friendship. Jules has wonderful staff at Torte and each of them have their own story that is touched upon in each book. I’m always eager to see what creative coffee drink Andy, the college-age barrista, will come up. I’m also glad to see that the quirky character, Lance, continues to be a fixture. He adds a dose of levity to each story. And of course Jules is always creating a fabulous yummy dessert to share with her customers.

I’m grateful that Ellie includes some of those recipes at the back of the book because you most definitely will be craving chocolate as you read! Ellie has graciously allowed me to share Mom’s Famous Chocolate Spice Cake with Mocha Frosting. Frankly I was torn about which recipe to try because they all sound amazing but this cake recipe won out for a couple of reasons. First, it’s vegan….no eggs, no dairy and I had a dinner party I needed to bake a dessert for where a vegan friend was attending as well. Don’t be put off by the word vegan because it certainly does NOT mean no flavor. My husband isn’t a huge chocolate fan (yep, I married him anyway) but he loved this cake! I think the spices nicely balanced the chocolate and I fell in love with the Mocha Frosting…it will definitely be my “go-to” chocolate frosting here on out…I just couldn’t stop nibbling on it! The second reason I chose this recipe is because it’s EASY! No bowl and beaters to clean up for the cake since it mixes up with a fork, right in the baking dish. The crumb is very tender and moist so I recommend you bake and serve as instructed without trying to create this into a layer cake. (You can see my hilarious “goof” trying to stack layers with another vegan cake from long ago at the bottom of the page.) I did add some piping with the generous amount of frosting and added gold and silver star sprinkles to dress the cake up for the party, where it was gobbled up by vegans and non-vegans alike!

Amazon Synopsis

Welcome to Torte―a friendly, small-town family bakery where the pastries are delicious…and, now, suspicious.

It’s almost spring in Ashland, Oregon, and the town is preparing for the Shakespeare and the annual Chocolate Festival. Business is cookin’ at Torte, and the store is expanding as Jules’ team whips up crèpes filled with mascarpone cheese and dark chocolate. Torte stands a chance of being this year’s confectionery belle of the ball! Life couldn’t be sweeter―unless murder taints the batter.

Evan Rowe, of Confections Couture, makes a chocolate fountain that would put Willy Wonka to shame, and his truffles are to die for―literally? Yes, the world-renowned chocolatier has just turned up dead…right after sampling a slice of Jules’ decadent four-layer chocolate cake. Now all eyes are on Jules as she tries to find the mysterious ingredient in her own recipe. Can she sift out the truth before another contestant bites the buttercream?

A huge thank you to Ellie Alexander for providing an autographed copy of FUDGE AND JURY for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Mom’s Famous Chocolate Spice Cake with Mocha Frosting

Ingredients

Cake

1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (you can omit if you're not a fan)
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup water

Mocha Frosting

1/2 cup butter (or vegan margarine)
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
2-3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
5 tablespoons of strong brewed coffee

Instructions

Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Sift flour, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into an 8x8-inch glass pan.
Make three wells-pour oil in one, vinegar in another, and vanilla in the last well.
Pour water over entire pan and mix with a fork.
Bake for thirty-five to forty-five minutes.
Allow to completely cool and frost with mocha frosting below.

Mocha Frosting

Whip butter in mixer.
Sift cocoa powder, sugar, and spices together.
Slowly alternate adding powdered mixture and coffee.
Once incorporated, beat until creamy and fluffy.
Spread generously on chocolate spice cake.

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Years ago, when I was starting to experiment with fondant in cake decorating I volunteered to create a “piggie” cake for a vegan friend. Vegan cakes are made without eggs or dairy but I never appreciated the stability eggs bring to cakes until I tried stacking the vegan cake and covering with fondant. I was in tears as the cake toppled and tore until my husband said to just tell the birthday girl and party goers that the big bad wolf blew the house down…I did and everyone had a good laugh then ate the cake because it still tasted great.

This is what the cake was supposed to look like

This is what the big bad wolf blew down!

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Vee’s Beef Stew

Ever since I saw the cover of ICED UNDER by Barbara Ross, the fifth book in her Maine Clambake Mystery series, I’ve been on pins and needles waiting to read it! And when Barbara released her novella in the Christmas book, EGGNOG MURDER, featuring Julia Snowden in October, my appetite for this series was whetted even more. So it was with great glee that I poured a steaming mug of tea, curled up on the couch with a fluffy blanket, and lost myself in the snowy world of Busman Harbor, Maine and Boston!

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Barbara weaves a tight tale of Julia’s family history while unraveling the secrets the family has closely guarded for almost 100 years which culminates in the murder of a long lost cousin. The multi-faceted layers of the story kept me turning pages late into the night…that OMC syndrome (“one more chapter”) was in full force. I so enjoyed getting to know Julia’s mother, Jacqueline, more. In past books, Jacqueline has seemed exceedingly reserved and I never really warmed to her. However, in ICED UNDER, we learn the full story of what has made Jacqueline the woman she is and I now see her in a different light, and admire who she is. Julia is a strong character and it’s from her dedication and love for her mother, that she involves herself in solving the mystery.

Both the setting and the plot are well developed, and Barbara’s descriptive language pulls me in, making me feel like I’m right there with the characters. She includes an especially touching sentiment when the murdered cousin’s caretaker tells Julia, “When you are needed most, that is when the work is most rewarding.” I have seen that type of dedication first hand with the people who work with my special needs granddaughter. I am always astounded at their capacity for caring and it is definitely at the forefront this time of the year! Barbara manages to capture the emotional impact of that kind of dedication in the book, which adds to the strength of the story. She also utilizes true historical events as the basis for Julia and Jacqueline’s ancestors building…and losing…their family fortunes. I was fascinated with the “Ice Kings” and appreciated the list of books the author provides at the back of the book for reading further on this subject.

As with the previous books, Barbara also includes recipes in ICED UNDER. She graciously allowed me to share her maternal grandmother’s recipe for Beef Stew. One of my husband’s favorite dishes, he couldn’t wait for me to make this recipe! Easy to put together (I loved that you don’t have to brown the beef) it’s hands off baking for several hours, filling the house with mouthwatering aromas. The addition of lemon juice and cocktail pearl onions adds a depth to the flavor. Vee’s Beef Stew will become a regular in my dinner rotation, especially during cold winter months!

Amazon Synopsis

The snow is deep in Maine’s Busman’s Harbor and the mighty rivers are covered in ice. Snowden Family Clambake Company proprietor Julia Snowden and her mother, Jacqueline, are hunkered down for the winter when a mysterious package arrives—heating up February with an unexpected case of murder . . .

Inside the mystery package is an enormous black diamond necklace that once belonged to Julia’s great-grandmother and disappeared in the 1920s. Who could have sent it—and why? Julia’s search for clues takes her on a perilous journey through her mother’s troubled family history, from a squabble over the family fortune in “frozen water” to the recent unexplained death of Jacqueline’s long-lost cousin Hugh—who’d been missing and presumed drowned for more than forty years. To protect her mother’s inheritance, Julia must fend off a small army of feuding relatives, solve the mystery surrounding Hugh’s demise, and get back home before the next blizzard buries them all . . .

A huge thank you to Barbara Ross for providing an autographed copy of ICED UNDER for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Monday, January 2, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Vee’s Beef Stew

Ingredients

Author's Note: One of my most precious possessions is a book of handwritten recipe cards given to me by my maternal grandmother Ethel McKim. When I planned for Julia and her mother to be snowed in, I knew I would turn to this book full of comfort foods for many of the recipes. This one is made by Vee Snugg in the book, and it's as homey and delicious as you might imagine. I have provided amounts for the vegetables, though according to my grandmother's note, you can use as many or as few as you please.

Ingredients

2 pounds of beef, cubed
6 carrots, cut in three-inch chunks
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut in half
1 (15-ounce) jar pearl onions drained
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
3 ounces water
1 teaspoon sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 tablespoons instant tapioca
6 drops Worcestershire Sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a bowl, mix well tomato sauce, water, sugar, lemon juice, instant tapioca, and Worcestershire Sauce.
In a casserole dish, pile meat in the center.
Place all the vegetables around the edges.
Pour tomato mixture over all.
Cover and cook in a preheated oven at 225 degrees for 6 to 7 hours.
Can be prepared in advance and reheated.
Makes a delicious brown sauce.
Serves 4 to 6.

My Notes:

The next time I make this, I will swap out the water and add 1 cup beef broth. Plus, I will stir it a few times during the baking time to make sure the top pieces of beef stay covered with the gravy to keep the beef extra moist and tender.
The only potatoes I had were huge and soaked up a lot of the gravy. If you have a lot of potatoes, I would recommend adding an additional 1/2 cup liquid.

https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/vees-beef-stew/