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

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35 thoughts on “Almond Bear Claws”

Looking forward to this Alaska set new mystery! And the bear claws look delicious!

Thank you for being part of the book tour for “MOUSSE AND MURDER” by Elizabeth Logan. I’ve not been fortunate enough to read one of this author’s books YET. This book sounds wonderful and I just know I’d enjoy reading it. It’s on my TBR list.

Love bear claws! They are one of my favorite pastries. Hope to try this recipe in the very near future.
2clowns at arkansas dot net

I’ve so been looking forward to reading this. I hope my copy gets here soon. I’ve been waiting since I heard about it.

Thank you for the introduction to Camille and her book. Also thank you for the bear claw recipe. They are one of my favorite pastries. My fingers are crossed I’m chosen. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

I can’t wait to eat a Bear Claw, read this book, and visit Alaska!

I’ve not read this author before but I would enjoy reading a series set in Alaska. My Husband and I visited Alaska in 2013. What a fascinating place to visit! dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

thank you for this recipe. they look so wonderful and yummy. i love the cover of this book. and it sounds so interesting.

Sounds like a great new series, can’t wait to read this book! And the recipe sounds delicious too. It would definitely cause me to cheat on my diet!

The book cover is great and the recipe sounds absolutely yummy! This looks like a fun book to read. Thank you for the give-away!
madamhawk at gmail dot com

Looking forward to this new series opener. Looks to be a great series. Congrats!

I love the beginning of a new series. I can’t wait to start this one.

I look toward to reading the series. Love the Alaska setting.
The bear claws look great and will be giving them a try.

I wish I had a freshly baked bear claw right now. I’ve enjoyed the Miniatures Mystery series and look forward to reading this first in a new series. An Alaska cruise has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Given today’s current situation I’ll look forward to a virtual visit with Mousse and Murder for now!

The recipe sounds great and I can’t wait to read this book. Stay well and safe and Thanks for your great generosity.

So glad you have the video to clarify the steps taken.
These look delicious.

The cover is inviting and interesting. It looks like fun to read. The bear. Claws s sound and look delicious. Alaska is a fun setting. Thank you for the chance

Now I really want a bear claw! Or some pastry!
I think I have read a series, years ago, by this author whose protagonist was a college professor who enjoyed puzzles. I need to check.

New series sounds good, thanks for the recipe!

Those Almond Bear Claws look much more realistic and mouth-watering than the ones sold in our small TX town! I think it’s time for me to try to whip some up! And, while I’ve only spent two weeks in Alaska, it was beautiful & the book sounds appealing! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

This sounds wonderful! Thanks Kim for featuring this book. Another to add to my TBR pile. Who needs sleep anyway?

sounds like a great new series. I really like the Alaska setting

I love bear claws! Sounds like a great new series.

sounds like a great series

This sounds like a good book, I like that it takes place in Alaska.

Those bear claws look so yummy

I really, really, really want to try this recipe AND read this book! How fun and exciting, on both accounts! Thank you for this giveaway, recipe, and book!