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THE DIVA SAYS CHEESECAKE, the fifteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis, hits all the right marks for capturing my attention and keeping it throughout the entire book. And if you haven’t read any in the series, this can be read as a standalone. However, with the memorable and relatable characters that populate the series, it’s been a pleasure reading from the first and watching the character growth and the changes over the years. Protagonist Sophie Winston is one of those people you’d love to have as your best friend. She’s kind, she loves to share her baked goods, and she’s ready to jump in and help whenever someone has a problem. The author weaves a puzzling mystery into the charming setting of Old Town Virginia, set against the backdrop of A Midsummer Night’s Dream festivities. Her descriptive voice makes the words come alive on the pages so that the reader feels like they’re right there experiencing everything Sophie does. Another favorite aspect of each book is the advice column question, to either Sophie or her nemesis, Natasha, and the corresponding answer that begins each chapter. These are entertaining all on their own!

When Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake’s husband is found murdered, she begs Sophie to solve the crime. Adding to the urgency, the police have named one of Sophie’s close friends, Bernie, as the prime suspect. I love the loyalty that Sophie and her friends show toward each other and they all pitch in to help Sophie sleuth. I also enjoyed that with the spotlight turned on Bernie, the reader has an opportunity to know him better and find out some of his closely held secrets. There are plenty of suspects for Sophie to sift through, and the clues are woven in for an armchair detective to collect. I’ll admit I was thrown off scent by some of the twists and turns, but it made the story even more intriguing as it unfolded.

Did someone say cheesecake? With the title and theme of the book, Ms. Davis does an admirable job of weaving in mouthwatering descriptions of cheesecake throughout the book and includes several delectable recipes. I was intrigued by her Blackberry No-Bake Cheesecake recipe. It sounded like a refreshing for a summer dessert with no need to turn on the oven. I loved that it needs to be made the day before serving, which frees up time when entertaining guests. While it had a lighter consistency than baked cheesecake, it was creamy and oh-so-yummy and I’ll be making this again and again, whenever blackberries are in season!

Amazon Synopsis

Old Town’s midsummer festivities are getting a tasty addition this year. To coincide with a public performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake, has hired Sophie to organize a dinner with a dessert buffet on the waterfront. Bobbie Sue’s homegrown company is thriving, and since her baking dish overfloweth, she wants to reward her employees.

Bobbie Sue has only one menu demand: no cheesecake! But her specialty isn’t the only thing missing from the evening—Tate, Bobbie Sue’s husband, is too, much to her annoyance. Next morning, however, Tate’s dead body is discovered. Bobbie Sue insists she didn’t kick her spouse to the curb, and begs for Sophie’s help finding the real killer. Digging in, Sophie discovers an assortment of Old Town locals who all had reason to want a piece of Tate. Can she gather together the crumbs the killer left behind in time to prevent a second helping of murder?

A special thanks to Krista Davis for providing a print copy of THE DIVA SAYS CHEESECAKE. Contest ends June 8, 2022 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!)

Blackberry No-Bake Cheesecake

This is a lovely, creamy not overly sweet cheesecake for hot days.

Ingredients

9 graham crackers (one pack)
1/4 cup butter, melted + 1 tablespoon for greasing the pan
2 cups (around 12 ounces) blackberries, plus some for decorating
2/3 cup + 1 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2 (8-ounce packages) cream cheese
1 cup heavy (whipping) cream

Instructions

Butter the bottom and sides of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan. You can use parchment paper around the sides if you like.
Placed the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until fine. While it's running, pour in the melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the springform pan and set aside. Wipe the bowl and blade of the food processor clean.
Cut cream cheese into 8 chunks and place in food processor.
Place sugar and cornstarch in a heavy bottomed pot and stir with a whisk to blend and get rid of chunks. Do not heat yet. Add 2 tablespoons of water and whisk to combine.
Wash the blackberries and pour them into double paper towels so they won't be soggy. Add to the pot with the sugar mixture. Cook on medium high, stirring constantly, until they bubble. Turn the heat down and simmer stirring for 1-1/2 minutes. Pour through a sieve into the food processor on top of the cream cheese. Pulse four or five times, then push on and mix together until no white spots show.
Whip the cream until it begins to take shape. Beat to a soft peak.
Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese, 1/3 at a time, until mixed. Pour into the prepared springform pan and refrigerate overnight.
To serve, loosen the sides with a slim knife if necessary, and remove from the pan. Decorate with blackberries.

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

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52 thoughts on “Blackberry No-Bake Cheesecake”

I love a Triple Chocolate Cheesecake but this Blackberry No-Bake looks very yummy.

Fabulous sounding recipe and a fantastic book – a wonderful combination!

I love ANY flavor of cheesecake. In fact, when asked my favorite dessert, I always says anything with the word cheesecake in it.

My favorite cheesecake is plain so I can top it with my favorite things. Berries, chocolate shavings, or just whipped cream.

favorite is strawberry cheesecake. Thanks for the chance!

no fav

Any cheesecake is good but the best is strawberry or turtle.

My favorite is still your butterscotch pecan cheesecake. It will be very hard to beat.

I love just plain cheesecake. This recipe for blackberry looks delicious, though! Must try it! Love the book cover and it sounds like a great read! Love the series!

I love just a plain cheese cake but occasionally I will try strawberry cheese cake. Thanks for your great generosity.

I like very loaded chocolate cheesecake or cherry topped cheesecake.

I favorite cheesecake flavor is pumpkin.

I love Cookie dough cheesecake!

I like blueberry the best, but really, all the berries!

Yum, does that ever look and sound good! Just printed the recipe and will give it a try using dairy-free cream cheese.

For my 22nd bday that was many many moons ago my friend from school knew I liked cheesecake and made me a dk choc chip cheesecake and it was so good I ate 2 pieces there. Then she said take the rest home and I did and my grandmother really liked it .

Key lime cheesecake

That blackberry cheesecake sound wonderful—blackberries are my favorite and I have never had blackberry cheesecake. I also like plain, strawberry, blueberry and cherry, but please no chocolate if any kind.

I love them all but probably caramel!

I love me some cheesecake but my favorite will always be cherry cheesecake! But I am going to try this recipe out. It looks delicious!

Anything with Chocolate is good for me.

I like a variety of cheesecakes!

I love plain cheesecake, and also pineapple cheesecake. I love this series. Thank you for the chance to win!

I love a triple chocolate cheesecake.

Anything with chocolate!

Although I like most all flavors of cheesecake. I generally prefer New York style cheese cake. I am going to be trying this one. Thanks loads for the recipe. A friend does a fluffy, light triple chocolate cheesecake that is to die for. Even so. I generally prefer the New York Style.

Plain cheesecake

i love a traditional NY style cheesecake – though don’t mind some strawberries or cherries occassionally

I love the cover for the book. The recipe sounds devine. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

My favorite flavor is plain – although I wouldn’t turn down chocolate cheesecake either.

Plain is my favorite flavor…although I wouldn’t turn down chocolate cheesecake.

I like plain cheesecake.

My favorite is cherry cheesecake unless we are out to dinner at our favorite place to stay near our home, and they have very creative cheesecake flavors using the local fruit varieties that are in season at the time! ❤️

My favorite cheesecake is chocolate chip cheesecake.

I have to admit that I’m not a huge lover of cheesecake but I cannot resist The Cheesecake Factory’s Vanilla Bean cheesecake. It’s really the only time I eat it. Thank you for the giveaway!

Good morning! I love regular cheesecake the best. Thank you for your wonderful giveaway!!!

I love a classic, plain cheesecake.

I love all flavors of cheesecake. My favorite is chocolate and caramel.

I love chocolate and caramel cheesecake.

Cherry cheesecake is my favorite!

“Do you have a favorite cheesecake flavor?” I try to be open to all flavors of cheesecake!

My favorite cheesecake is the one my 94 year old mother-in-law makes. It is plain cheesecake, but there is something special about it!

I like plain cheesecake. If it has
a good flavor, there’s no need to
add other flavorings. thanks
for a chance to win the book.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

I love cheesecake in any way, shape or form, they are all my favorites, LOL. I did make a plain one once with apricot preserves on top once and really enjoyed it…why haven’t I made it again? LOL