Cinnamon and Sugar - What I'm baking in my kitchen and mystery books I'm reading

Pumpkin-Chocolate-Coconut Muffins

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SHREDDING THE EVIDENCE, the ninth book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber, is another terrific addition to a well-loved series! The protagonist, Jenna Hart, is preparing for their town’s week-long Food Bowl event, where local chefs create imaginative bite-sized delicacies. I adore the clever event themes Ms. Gerber bases each murder mystery around in her books. It adds to the reader becoming immersed in the setting and provides the opportunity to experience it with all the senses. She also creates entertaining, witty names for the businesses in town which showcases the author’s humor. Jenna is a very likeable character and I appreciate how the author has continued to find avenues of growth and change for her along with the other central characters. It makes them seem all the more relatable. Jenna is a true friend to her employees and treats her many customers with respect. It’s no wonder her shop, the Cookbook Nook Bookstore and Nook Café, which she co-owns with her Aunt Vera, is so successful. I would love to spend my free time in the Cookbook Nook browsing the many veritable, specialty cookbooks that Jenna sells. Instead I do the next best thing and search for those that catch my eye on Amazon to add to my own collection.

The local food reporter turned murder victim didn’t come as a surprise. She was a mean-spirited woman and there were many, many people who had reasons to hate her, including Jenna’s best friend’s husband. In keeping with her character, Jenna jumps in to support her friend no matter the cost and prove his innocence. Ms. Gerber writes a tightly plotted mystery with the clues twisting and turning to keep the reader on their toes. With the murder happening in a “locked-room” situation, the reveal was quite stunning on how it was pulled off with an edge-of-your seat conclusion. The author does an admirable job wrapping up each strand of the story creating a highly satisfying read!

With Food Bowl week happening and the Nook Café serving up all sorts of delightful goodies, the reader will be hungry as they turn the pages. You can always count on Ms. Gerber’s books containing many delectable recipes at the back of the book and as usual, I want to try them all! As a bonus, many of them have been adapted for those who need to eat gluten-free as well. In the end I chose to try the author’s Pumpkin-Chocolate-Coconut Muffins. Oh my goodness… these are so yummy! The chocolate gave just the right amount of bittersweet sweetness to the pumpkin base while the coconut added a nice texture. I found them quite easy to mix up and appreciated I didn’t have to drag out the stand mixer for this recipe. With the additional garnish of extra chocolate chips and coconut on the tops, these made me feel like I was eating dessert for breakfast… a special treat!

Amazon Synopsis

The denizens of Crystal Cove are salivating over the upcoming Food Bowl Week, when local chefs offer some of their best and most imaginative creations in bite-size portions all over town. Bookstore proprietor Jenna Hart is hungry to sample as many of the delicacies as she can, but when she stumbles onto the dead body of a local food reporter and learns that her best friend’s husband is the primary suspect, she’ll have to summon the appetite for a side dish of sleuthing to prove his innocence.

Jenna knows the ambitious and aggressive reporter, who was strangled at a fitness center with her shredded restaurant reviews scattered around her, left behind a long list of potential suspects. As she begins piecing together the scant clues, she uncovers illicit ties between the victim and a local newspaper owner, a spurned would-be lover, and a host of disgruntled restaurant owners not a bit torn up by the critical reporter’s demise. And with a solution so close she can almost taste it, Jenna turns up the heat on the culprit, realizing too late that she’s the next course on the murderer’s menu.

A special thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of SHREDDING THE EVIDENCE! Giveway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below 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!)

Pumpkin-Chocolate-Coconut Muffins

While the recipe was created to be gluten-free, it's easy to make these with all-purpose flour if you don't have gluten-free flour on hand.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups gluten-free flour (or substitute all-purpose flour)
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if using all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon whey flour (omit if using all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pumpkin puree
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

For the topping:

1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Spray the liners with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, whey flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sugar, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture. Stir until combined. Add in the coconut and chocolate chips.
Fill each of the muffin cups about 3/4 full. Sprinkle with additional coconut.
Bake muffins for 20 - 22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. When you remove from the oven, top with additional chocolate chips. They will melt as the cupcakes cool on a rack for 20 minutes.
Once completely cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container.

Yield: 24

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Chagrin Falls Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

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A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP, the first book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mysteries by Abby Collette, is a sweet start to a brand new cozy series! The reader is introduced to protagonist Bronwyn “Win” Crewse and her close-knit family, including her grandfather, Pop Pop. I’m always thrilled to find books that feature families that care for each other and support each other without a lot of angst going on. While Pop Pop may have some quirks that might annoy the family, he’s super close to his granddaughter and I loved how he bonded with her over her desire to clear her father’s name after the murder takes place. Ms. Collette also creates a cast of supporting characters with quirky sidekicks for the protagonist. While they, at times, could be a bit over the top, it did provide some humorous moments as Win’s amateur investigation unfolds. I greatly enjoyed the way she and her friends based their investigation on fictional television and book characters, ones easily recognizable to readers.

The author effectively used the murder of the man who had cheated Win’s family many years previous, to introduce backstory without slowing down the plot or detracting from the central theme. As Win delves into the victim’s life she finds almost everyone in town had reasons to extract revenge for his past crimes so there are suspects galore. With a surprising reveal that includes some heart-pounding action, I found I never had the killer on my radar at all. I also enjoyed that the author takes the time to wrap up all the threads of the subplots without leaving readers hanging. I look forward to reading the next book in this yummy series!

With Win creating so many delectable ice cream flavors for her family’s ice cream shop in the book, be prepared to crave ice cream. Or better yet, make a batch from one of the recipes at the back of the book and enjoy it while reading A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP! Despite it not being fall, I couldn’t pass up the chance to make Chagrin Falls Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream. Oh my… it surpassed my expectations and I really didn’t want to share even a spoonful with anyone else! Luscious and creamy, this frozen concoction has the perfect balance of pumpkin and spices so that one doesn’t overwhelm the other. Ms. Collette provides several helpful tips to creating the best ice cream and her directions are concise yet easy to follow. Once I devoured my share of the ice cream (in the end I couldn’t not share with my granddaughters) I wondered why I don’t make ice cream more often. It was easy to make and the results were yummier than what you can purchase at the grocery store, especially since pumpkin spice ice cream is a seasonal item. I’ll be making this again… right after I make the other recipes in the book since they all sound equally fantastic!

Amazon Synopsis

Recent MBA grad Bronwyn Crewse has just taken over her family’s ice cream shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and she’s going back to basics. Win is renovating Crewse Creamery to restore its former glory, and filling the menu with delicious, homemade ice cream flavors—many from her grandmother’s original recipes. But unexpected construction delays mean she misses the summer season, and the shop has a literal cold opening: the day she opens her doors an early first snow descends on the village and keeps the customers away.

To make matters worse, that evening, Win finds a body in the snow, and it turns out the dead man was a grifter with an old feud with the Crewse family. Soon, Win’s father is implicated in his death. It’s not easy to juggle a new-to-her business while solving a crime, but Win is determined to do it. With the help of her quirky best friends and her tight-knit family, she’ll catch the ice cold killer before she has a meltdown…

A special thanks to Abby Collette for providing a signed print copy of A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP! Contest ends Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below 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!)

Chagrin Falls Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

Ingredients

2/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1-3/4 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Add the milk, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla to the bowl, and then beat using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes smooth, about two minutes.
Pour the mixture into an ice-cream maker and churn until the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.
Place in a covered freezer-safe container for at least two hours.

Crewse Creamery Ice Cream Tips

You don't need to an ice cream machine, but if you do use one, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you don't use a machine, remember to use whipped cream to create a better texture. It'll take a little longer for your mixture to freeze properly, but it'll be fine. Just check on it every couple of hours and give it a good stir.
If you use an ice-cream maker, never pour your warm (or even room-temperature) base into your ice cream machine. A base that isn't chilled prior to going into your ice-cream maker won't freeze. The colder, the better!

Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes

I thought the perfect garnish for this delectable ice cream was salted caramel sauce and toasted pecans!

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Spiced Apple Sugar Cookies

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ICING ON THE CASKET, the ninth book in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries by Catherine Bruns, is another heart-warming addition to an entertaining series! Protagonist Sally Muccio Donovan has finally achieved her heart’s desire: married to her high school sweetheart and finally a mother to an adorable baby girl, nicknamed “Cookie”. Not only that, her cookie shop, Sally’s Samples, is successful and her baker/best friend, Josie, cranks out delicious treats to tempt the town. One of Ms. Bruns greatest strengths is creating characters that readers love to get to know and then follow as the stories unfold. Sally, her friends, and especially her close-knit family are people I enjoy spending several hours with and feeling like I’m a part of their antics. The author paints each scene with vivid words that make them come alive and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud as Sally and her husband adjust to parenthood. I’ve also found Sally’s father, Domenic Muccio, and his Father of Death blog quite humorous and I was pleased to see that this newest book gives him a larger role.

When Domenic’s good friend, Eddie, (a funeral home owner) disappears and is subsequently found murdered, her father can’t help but pull Sally into finding out what happened despite her promise she’d steer clear of murderers. Honestly I’ve been a bit squeamish about mothers getting involved in investigations and putting themselves and their children at risk for violence. However, Ms. Bruns does an admirable job of writing an exciting read yet not overstepping the boundaries of what makes me uncomfortable. The investigation takes Sally, her father, and her best friend into the funeral home realm and let me tell you, I had no idea there were so many undertaker and funeral puns and jokes! This humorous approach to finding the killer lightened the scenes and kept me entertained as I turned the pages, without taking a pause, until I’d read the very last word!

With Sally’s Samples taking center stage and with Josie baking tempting cookie treats, it’s a natural fit for delectable cookie recipes to be included at the back of the book. I had the pleasure of creating not only a cookie recipe for Ms. Bruns to use, but baking and designing the casket cookies that were used on the cover of the book! In past stories, Domenic has commissioned Josie to create casket cookies to help promote his Father of Death blog. In ICING ON THE CASKET the funeral home has decided the casket cookies are a good marketing tool to offer at funeral receptions. Thanks to an ample stock of cookie cutters on Amazon, I was able to find the perfect one to make… although unlike Father of Death, I think I’ll save this design for Halloween, which made me think of autumn, which made me think of apples and apple cider. I ended up creating a Spiced Apple Sugar Cookie recipe which relies on packets of spiced apple cider mix to give it a unique taste. These cookies ended up being so popular with my taste testers that they asked for the recipe long before the book (and this blog post) came out. Of course you can use your own cookie cutters or simply cut into squares or triangles instead. No matter the shape, these tasty treats are worth sharing whatever season it is!

Amazon Synopsis

Full-time baker and sometime sleuth Sally Muccio finally has everything she’s always wanted—a beautiful baby, loving husband, and a thriving business. Now that she’s a mother, Sal has vowed she’ll stay out of future murder investigations. But when her eccentric father’s friend, mortician Eddie Phibbins, is found dead in one of his own caskets, Sal’s father begs her to help find the killer.

With their famous coffins cookies in hand, Sal and her best friend Josie “undertake” the process of questioning mourners and employees at the funeral home, hoping for a lead to Eddie’s killer. Between a recently fired hearse driver, resentful family members and a wacky, love-struck makeup artist there’s no shortage of suspects. Once again, Sal’s snooping has attracted the attention of a killer, and her good intentions may have only succeeded in digging herself an early grave…

A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing one lucky winner with their choice of print or an e-book copy of ICING ON THE CASKET! Print limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below 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!)

Spiced Apple Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 (0.74 oz.) packets spiced apple cider mix (e.g. Alpine brand)
3 cups (14.4 oz.) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
Beat in the egg, then mix in the vanilla and spiced apple cider packets.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add to the sugar and butter mixture and mix until incorporated.
Divide the dough in half and wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Lightly sprinkle work surface with flour and roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. If dough is too hard, allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Cut out desired shapes and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Refrigerate cut-out shapes while the oven preheats to 375 degrees (F).
Bake cookies at 375 degrees (F) for 9 - 11 minutes, just until the edges turn golden-brown.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.

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Almond Bear Claws

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I’m delighted to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour to showcase MOUSSE AND MURDER! This first book in the brand new Alaskan Diner Mystery series by Elizabeth Logan, introduces the reader to Charlotte “Charlie” Cooke and her posse of friends and employees at her family’s Bear Claw diner in Elkview, Alaska. The setting is unique given the small wilderness town and I enjoyed the bits and pieces of Alaskan history and geographical tidbits the author weaves into the story. Her descriptive voice makes the setting come alive and I could imagine the rugged natural beauty the area offers along with the activities that draw tourists to the town. Ms. Logan has created delightful characters and it was easy to admire Charlie. I especially loved her cat, Benny (nicknamed after Eggs Benedict!). Benny is a charming sidekick and the “Bennycam” and cat app games are brilliant additions providing a bit of humor. Charlie’s friendliness contributes to easy going relationships with her friends and employees… that is except for her head chef, Oliver. Theirs is a contentious relationship and when Oliver walks off the job and is found murdered after an argument with her, Charlie can’t help but feel guilty and want to find out what happened to him.

A long-time friend of Charlie’s mom and frequent visitor to Bear Claw Diner, the local sheriff exhibits great understanding of Charlie’s need to help find answers. I really like when an amateur sleuth isn’t treated with contempt by law enforcement and instead it’s acknowledged that they might have helpful information. As the group of friends surrounding Charlie grows, so does the sheriff’s need to “deputize” those helpers, which added some cute scenes. The well-plotted mystery provided enough clues yet with some twists thrown in which kept me guessing most of the read. I look forward to the next book and the opportunity to revisit the quaint town of Elkview, Alaska and its delightful residents.

Running a diner, there’s always lots of delicious foods being made and served to hungry patrons. One of their most popular treats is the Bear Claws, which the cafe is named after. In the book, Charlie has a fierce argument with her chef over wanting to add some chocolate to the iconic Bear Claws… which I personally think would be a decadent addition and I’ll try it next time. But even without the chocolate, these Almond Bear Claws are scrumptious with flaky pastry encasing sweet almond filling. While the dough might be time consuming, there is a lot of downtime during the rising sessions. I wouldn’t make these for everyday consumption but for special breakfasts or brunches, I’d make these again to spoil my guests!

Amazon Synopsis

A young chef might bite off more than she can chew when she returns to her Alaskan hometown to take over her parents’ diner in this charming first installment in a new cozy mystery series set in an Alaskan tourist town.

When Chef Charlie Cooke is offered the chance to leave San Francisco and return home to Elkview, Alaska, to take over her mother’s diner, she doesn’t even consider saying no. After all–her love life has recently become a Love Life Crumble, and a chance to reconnect with her roots may be just what she needs.

Determined to bring fresh life and flavors to the Bear Claw Diner, Charlie starts planning changes to the menu, which has grown stale over the years. But her plans are fried when her head cook Oliver turns up dead after a bitter and public fight over Charlie’s ideas–leaving Charlie as the only suspect in the case.

With her career, freedom, and life all on thin ice, Charlie must find out who the real killer is, before it’s too late.

A special thanks to Elizabeth Logan for providing a fun gift basket full of goodies for one winner! Contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and ends May 12, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. Limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and at Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Almond Bear Claws

Ingredients

Pastry Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups half-and-half
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Filling Ingredients:

2/3 cup almond paste (7-ounce package)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg whites

Topping Ingredients:

1 egg
Almond slices

Instructions

Pastry:

Mix butter with 3 cups of flour until well coated. Refrigerate until needed.
Combine yeast and remaining 2 cups flour.
In a saucepan, heat half-and-half, sugar, and salt to 110 - 115 degrees (F). Add to yeast mixture. Beat until smooth. Beat in egg.
Stir in butter mixture just until moistened.
Roll out dough on a well-floured surface into a rectangle. Fold into thirds from the short edge and roll back into a large rectangle. Repeat 2 more times.
Roll dough into rectangle about 8 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough in half lengthwise to make two 4-inch wide strips. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.

Filling:

Break the almond paste into pieces and place almond paste, sugar, cinnamon, salt and vanilla in a large bowl and beat until mixture is crumbly.
Add egg whites and beat until mixture is smooth.

Combining:

Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, roll dough to about 8 inches wide. Use a spatula to spread the filling on each half of the dough. Roll dough over filling and cut each roll into equal size sections, usually 8 pieces total.
Place pastries seam-side down on a baking sheet. Make 4 cuts on one side of each pastry, extending at least 1inch into the pastry to create "fingers." Curve the pastry into a slight arch to separate the fingers. Cover tray loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 400 ℉. Beat whole egg in a small bowl and brush each pastry with egg. Place one almond half or sliced almond onto each finger to form a claw.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow bear claws to cool on a wire rack before serving.

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May 5 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE
May 5 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
May 5 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT
May 5 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
May 6 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
May 6 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
May 6 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
May 6 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
May 6 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
May 7 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST
May 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
May 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
May 7 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
May 8 – Reading Reality – REVIEW
May 8 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
May 8 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
May 8 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
May 9 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
May 9 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
May 9 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST
May 9 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews– SPOTLIGHT
May 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW
May 10 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW
May 10 – Literary Gold– SPOTLIGHT
May 10 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW
May 11 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW
May 11 – Brianne’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
May 11 – Sapphyria’s Books – REVIEW
May 11 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
May 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 12 – Diary of a Book Fiend – REVIEW
May 12 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

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PUMPKIN SPICE PERIL, the twelfth book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay, is a much-needed, lighthearted read for this coronavirus pandemic time we find ourselves in. Ms. McKinlay’s humor brings some laughter and definitely lots smiles to the reader as the story unfolds. Protagonist Mel Cooper, along with her partner in the Fairy Tale Cupcake Bakery and soon to be sister-in-law, Angie, are just the sort of good people I like to spend time with. They are friendly and big-hearted, and able to banter and spout off movie quotes at the drop of a hat. Their antics and relationship with each other, their family members, and their employees bring joy to each page. As a long-time fan of this series, I’ve greatly enjoyed watching the core characters grow and change over the years and in this newest book there are changes aplenty!

When one of their artist friends is found murdered, Mel becomes involved in finding out what happened. She feels guilt over not being a better friend to the woman, who had obviously been going through a stressful time. Ms. McKinlay’s descriptive voice shines through which allows the reader to experiences the art gallery and the gorgeous art produced there, the anguish Mel feels, and the suspects she talks to. I felt like I was right there, tagging along. Even though Mel’s Uncle Stan is the detective in charge, it doesn’t stop the chief of police from zeroing in on Mel and trying to prove she must be involved since she’s always stumbling onto dead bodies. Still, Mel presses forward to do everything she can for the victim. There were plenty of suspects to go around and some twists to keep the plot interesting.

Of course with the central setting being Fairy Tale Cupcake Bakery, there are cupcakes galore mentioned throughout the story. Be prepared to drool! Fortunate for the reader, Ms. McKinlay provides several mouthwatering recipes at the back of the book. Despite it being spring, I was drawn to the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. I love all things pumpkin and these did not disappoint! Nicely spiced, the cupcakes are moist and could be eaten as a breakfast muffin because pumpkin is a vegetable, so these could be considered healthy. Right? But what really amps up the flavor is the cinnamon cream cheese frosting… I might have eaten it by the spoonful! Eaten together, these Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes will convert you from waiting until fall to try, and instead, will make you want to eat these year round.

Amazon Synopsis

Life is all sugar and spice for the Fairy Tale Cupcake bakers–Melanie Cooper is engaged to the delectable Joe DeLaura, Angie Harper and her husband Tate are savoring married life, and the bakery is bustling with happy customers. Until one of their most valued cupcake connoisseurs ends up dead.

Local glass artist and cupcake lover Rene Fischer-Klein has always suffered from a wide variety of health issues. In an effort to cheer her up, her doting husband, Peter, brings her a four-pack of her favorite cupcakes every week. But when the police discover that Rene has been poisoned, there’s no sugarcoating the fact that the last things she ate were the bakery’s signature pumpkin spice cupcakes! With their lives and bakery at stake, it’s up to Mel and Angie to find out who poisoned their artist friend and why, before their future is frosted for good.

A special thanks to Jenn McKinlay for providing a print copy of PUMPKIN SPICE PERIL! Contest ends Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below 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!)

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

A pumpkin spice cupcake with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
4 large eggs, beaten
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Line cupcake pan with paper liners.

Cupcakes:

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, granulated sugar, melted butter, and eggs.
Add dry ingredients to the sugar mixture and mix until smooth.
Lastly, mix in the pumpkin until thoroughly blended.
Scoop the batter evenly into the cupcake liners.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool before frosting.

Frosting:

Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon in large bowl until well blended.
Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth.
Put frosting in a pastry bag and pipe onto cupcakes in thick swirls, using an open tip.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Note:

If you like your frosting piled high, make 1-1/2 batches of the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.

Notes

Makes 24 cupcakes

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Grandma Peggy’s Pumpkin Bundt Cake

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THE DIVA SPICES IT UP is the thirteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis and despite what you might think about the number thirteen, this newest release is a charming delight! If you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, Ms. Davis provides a list of characters at the beginning to help the reader keep track. Even though this series has been a long-time favorite of mine, I still like to refer to the list. In this newest book, protagonist Sophie Winston, owner of an event planning company, tries her hand at ghostwriting a celebrity cookbook. I liked how Sophie and her client immediately click and how down to earth they both are, which make them relatable to readers. On the other hand there is Natasha, Sophie’s somewhat frenemy and ex-girlfriend of Sophie’s ex-husband (but rest assured, there’s not a single love triangle in sight). She’s the sort of person that personifies a prima donna but instead of being annoying, the author finds ways to make her a sympathetic character. Ms. Davis uses an advice column question written to either Sophie or Natasha, at the beginning of each chapter, which allows the personality of each to shine through. I found it an effective way for the reader to get a better understanding of the characters.

THE DIVA SPICES IT UP weaves an intriguing story about code-breaking, spies, a dastardly murder, and a disappearance. I especially love that the author wrote a scene based on a dead drop experience she witnessed. While there are plenty of clues, this is a story I was happy to sit back and savor each word instead of trying to figure it out. Ms. Davis is quite adept at writing seemingly unrelated subplots and then pulling them together into one cohesive and compelling story at the end! It left this reader highly satisfied and anxious for the next book in the series.

I greatly enjoyed how the food aspect was woven into the storyline via the ghostwriting cookbook project and Sophie’s love to provide comforting and nourishing meals for her friends. I’m always impressed by not only the delectable dishes she prepares, but how she elegantly dresses her table and stylishly serves them. Sophie certainly lives up to her Domestic Diva name! (I’ll admit, I take the easy way out and don’t do anything special.) Ms. Davis provides several recipes at the back of the book and I just had to try Grandma Peggy’s Pumpkin Bundt Cake. I’d like to thank my granddaughter, Emory, for making the cake with me. We had a wonderful morning baking together and she almost couldn’t wait for the cake to come out of the pan to sample it! It smelled oh so yummy! With three cups of pumpkin used in the recipe, this cake is super moist and actually tastes like pumpkin instead of simply sugar and spices mixed with a bit of pumpkin for color. The Bundt pan gives it an elegant look without added labor and with a quick dusting of powdered sugar, it’s ready to serve just as soon as it cools enough to handle. I’ll be making this again, not only for dessert or an afternoon tea treat, but it’s perfect for a breakfast/brunch gathering too!

Amazon Synopsis

Sophie never considered ghostwriting as a side gig, until former actress and aspiring lifestyle guru, Tilly Stratford, trophy wife of Wesley Winthrope, needs someone to write her celebrity cookbook. Sophie agrees, hoping she’ll earn enough bread on this assignment to finish her bathroom renovations. But as it turns out, Sophie isn’t the first foodie to get a taste for recipe ghostwriting, and if the marginalia are any indication, this project could be a killer . . .

Wesley claims professional ghostwriter, Abby Bergeron, suddenly abandoned Tilly’s cookbook with no warning. But Sophie quickly discovers that Abby may be more ghost than writer now . . . and her disappearance was no accident. So Sophie cracks open a fresh investigation, but sifting the seasoned murderer from this sampling of salty suspects won’t be easy. Will Sophie savor another case closed or will the culprit simply melt away?

A special thanks to Krista Davis for providing a signed hardcover giveaway copy of THE DIVA SPICES IT UP! Contest ends Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below 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!)

Grandma Peggy's Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted, plus extra for pan
3 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 cups sugar, plus extra for pan
1-1/2 cups dark brown sugar
3 cups pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon vanilla
Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Grease the Bundt pan well with butter and sprinkle sugar in it as you would flour to prevent sticking.
Melt the 1/2 cup of butter and set aside to cool.
In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup melted butter and the oil, and mix. Beat in the eggs. Add the sugar and dark brown sugar and beat on slow, then gradually increase the speed. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and beat.
Slowly add in the flour mixture, about 1/3 cup at a time.
Pour mixture into the greased Bundt pan.
Bake 55 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to rest on a rack about 15 minutes, then loosen the edges and middle and flip onto a serving plate.
Optional: sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Serve warm or cold.

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I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.