Kim, Author at Cinnamon and Sugar

Alvin’s Panko Perfection Grilled Cheese

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NO PARM, NO FOUL is the second book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly. With the delectable setting of the Grilled Cheese Eatery during Halloween, the reader’s senses are in for a treat! Scrumptious food—check. Close-knit friends—check. A Scary-Licious food competition—check. A dead competitor that bodes ill for protagonist, Carly, and her friends—check. A missing vampire cape that might be a clue—check. Ms. Reilly weaves together a tale worthy of Halloween with characters and clues alike lending spirit to the holiday.

Despite the murder mystery genre, the author creates kind and caring core characters, particularly Carly. She’s one of those people you’d love to count as a friend with her trusting nature and her loyalty to those she cares about. Despite the short time that she’s been in Balsam Dell, Vermont, following the death of her husband, she’s managed to fit right in and her grilled cheese restaurant has developed quite the following amongst the young and the old alike. And, of course, who can resist her little Morkie, aptly named Havarti? The sweet dog has such a delightful personality that complements Carly’s character.

With clues surrounding the murder pointing to Carly’s love interest, Ari, being the culprit, Carly can’t help but get involved trying to figure out who wanted her restaurant’s competitor dead. I loved how the author uses one of Carly’s elderly regulars as a source for clues via the former teacher’s unique poetry. As someone who loves to learn, I appreciated the inclusion of the poetry and was even more impressed with the author’s skill at writing it to fit the needs of the mystery. As the pressure mounts to clear Ari’s name, there are many suspects who pop up. I was kept guessing as the clues unfolded and at the surprising reveal the pieces fell into place with a highly satisfying conclusion.

With a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches being served throughout the story, I’d suggest having one on hand every time you pick up the book. Ms. Reilly includes a couple of recipes at the back of the book and they sound fantastic. I was particularly drawn to Alvin’s Panko Perfection with its sun-ripened tomatoes, the crunch of the panko, the tang of Parmesan, and oozing, melted cheese. The recipe calls for sharp cheddar, but as Carly always says—use whatever cheese tickles your palate. The sandwich didn’t disappoint, and the panko crumbs kept the tomatoes from causing the bread to become soggy. This is a delicious way to use up the bountiful crop of summer garden tomatoes, and, if you’re not lucky enough to have a garden, the combination of the ingredients will elevate any grocery store tomato to pure deliciousness!

Amazon Synopsis

After a long hot summer in Balsam Dell, Carly Hale is ready for crisp Vermont weather and gourmet grilled cheeses at her Grilled Cheese Eatery. And the upcoming Halloween food competition is the perfect way to impress the locals.

But Ferris Menard, the owner of Sub-a-Dub-Sub, is nursing a serious grudge against Carly. Two days before the competition, one of Carly’s employees quit his part-time gig at Menard’s sub shop, sending Menard into a serious snit. In a confrontation at the Eatery, Menard accused Carly of sabotage and vowed to bring her down.

That’s when Menard’s body is found in his kitchen the morning after the competition, a steak knife sticking out of his heart. But Menard had a slew of enemies, and if Carly doesn’t figure out which one is the culprit, she might find herself—or someone she cares about—serving grilled cheese sandwiches under lock and brie!

A special thanks to Linda Reilly for providing a print copy of NO PARM NO FOUL. Contest ends August 7, 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!)

Alvin's Panko Perfection

Carly was surprised and delighted when Alvin Robinson wanted to try his hand at creating his own grilled cheese recipe. Using panko crumbs to coat the tomato slices was creative and fun, and result was a sandwich so delicious that Carly added it to her menu. Alvin used sharp cheddar, but as Carly always says--use whatever cheese tickles your palate! Havarti, Gouda, and Swiss all make fabulous substitutions.

Recipe is for one sandwich, so simply multiply the ingredients by the number of people you're serving.

Ingredients

4 - 6 thickly sliced rounds (about 1/2-inch wide) of a firm, ripe Roma or plum tomato (depending on the size of your bread)
Salt
1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup panko crumbs (approx.) Carly uses plain, but you can also use seasoned panko.
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (approx.)
Vegetable or canola oil for frying
2 large slices of coarse white bread
Salted butter, softened
4 thick slices sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Place the tomato slices on a plate, and then lightly salt both sides.
Place the beaten egg/water mixture and the flour in separate bowls.
Mix the panko crumbs with the Parmesan cheese and place in a shallow dish.
Dip each tomato slice into the flour, coating both sides, and shaking off any excess. Dip into the beaten egg mixture. Dredge each slice through the panko/Parmesan mixture until each side is thoroughly coated.
Fry the coated sliced in a skillet with about 1/2 inch of very hot oil for about 2 minutes or until the bottom side forms a golden crust. Flip them carefully and do the other side. When done, they should be golden and crispy. Blot them lightly on a paper towel.
To prepared your sandwich, butter one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of one slice, stack half the cheddar, then add the coated tomato slices side by side so that they cover the entire sandwich. Add the remaining cheddar and top with the remaining slice of bread, butter side up.
Grill over medium heat for about 3 minutes. As you grill, press lightly with a spatula or grill press, and then flip over and grill the other side for about approximately 3 minutes. Grilling slowly will ensure that the cheese is thoroughly melted and the bread is golden brown.
Slice in half and serve with chips, pickles, tomato soup, or whatever else gladdens your taste buds. For tomato lovers, this is a dream come true!

Carly's tips:

After experimenting, Carly found that a skillet or frying pan works a bit better than grilling for frying the tomato slices.
To avoid accidental burns, always be super careful when frying in hot oil. Kids and pets should be kept a safe distance away from the stove to avoid injury.

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Blueberry Lemon Bread

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MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL is the third book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah. I think this series just gets better and better with each book and this newest release captivated me. Throw in a lighthouse bakery, a blueberry festival being derailed by pranksters, a mysterious Viking boat containing a dead Viking, and a bedazzled “unicorn” goat, named Clara… stir it up, and you’re left with an entertaining, laugh-out-loud escapade that has protagonist Lindsey Bakewell up to her eyeballs in shenanigans. With witty dialog, the humor highlights the characters’ personalities, both human and animal alike. I especially enjoyed Clara, along with Lindsey’s Newfoundland dog, Wellington. They both stole each scene they were featured in. Another bonus is the close, caring relationships the core characters have with each other. And now that Lindsey’s parents are living in town, there’s another avenue to getting to know her and her family even better.

Of course, this is a murder mystery, although it takes place much later in the book than typical cozy mystery fashion. However, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story since there was so much going on to keep me entertained. Once the body is found and Lindsey begins investigating (after law enforcement states they’re not sure it’s murder or not), the plot kicks into high gear. There were enough suspects to keep me guessing and several twists that touched on an all too familiar heart wrenching reality for so many families. Ms. Hannah uses a sensitive touch with the inclusion in the story and with an ending I didn’t see coming, leaves the reader with thoughtful reflections.

Running a bakeshop plus being involved in the blueberry festival means there are SO many scrumptious mentions of food throughout the story. Luckily for the blueberry-loving reader, there are several recipes at the back of the book to try at home. I couldn’t wait to try the author’s recipe for Blueberry Lemon Bread with lemon glaze. I appreciated the author’s tip for keeping all the blueberries from sinking onto the bottom of the loaf pan when cooking. The lemon provides a refreshing contrast to the sweet bread and the plump juicy blueberries studded throughout keeps the bread tender and moist. This delectable bread is a summery treat for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert!

Amazon Synopsis

After a career on Wall Street, Lindsey is making a different kind of dough in a pretty lakeside village, and the upcoming blueberry festival—including the pie-eating contest her bakery is hosting—is the highlight of the summer. But soon Beacon Harbor runs into a patch of trouble.

A local real estate agent gets pranked. A parade float gets pelted with water balloons. It’s all laughed off until the stunts start escalating—and looking more like sabotage. As the event turns into a debacle complete with rampaging goats, Lindsey’s sweetheart, a former SEAL, starts investigating. But the juicy mystery takes a bitter turn when a man—dressed up as a Viking—is found dead in a boat, and it’s no longer mischief but murder . . .

A special thanks to Darci Hannah for providing a print copy of MURDER AT THE BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL. Contest ends August 3, 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!)

Blueberry Lemon Bread

Makes one 9x5 loaf pan

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed
1 tablespoon lemon juice (for blueberries)
1 tablespoon sugar (for blueberries)
1 tablespoon flour (for blueberries)
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional, but it does add a nice punch!)
1/2 cup whole milk

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons (or more) lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Prepare 9x5 loaf pan by either greasing and flouring it, or lining it with parchment, whichever you prefer.
Put blueberries in a small bowl and add 1 tablespoon of each lemon juice, sugar, and flour. Give a good toss and set aside.
In medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, whisk sugar, and eggs until blended. Gradually whisk in melted butter, followed by the lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon extract.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix, alternating with the milk until well blended.
Stir in half the blueberries to the batter and quickly pour into prepared loaf pan. Gently spread the rest of the blueberries on top of the batter (this will prevent them from sinking to the bottom) and place in the oven. Bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until done. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes.

For the glaze:

Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, and lemon juice. Pour glaze over cooled loaf and let sit until the glaze is set. Enjoy!

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

Candy Cane Cookies

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PEPPERMINT BARKED is the long anticipated sixth book in the Spice Shop Mysteries by Leslie Budewitz. With its festive cover, the reader is enticed into settling in, with a mug of hot cocoa, and enjoying the spirit of the holidays. The tempting descriptions of protagonist Pepper Reece’s Spice Shop and the surrounding shops in Seattle’s Pike Place Market delighted my senses. The author makes each scene come alive as the market gears up for the themed “A Dickens of a Christmas” celebration from decorations to costumed carolers to gaily wrapped packages. I especially love Pepper’s shop, with the fragrance of spices and the friendly, close-knit employees. Ms. Budewitz has done an admirable job in creating characters a reader can connect with and care about. It’s been a pleasure watching them change and grow over the course of the series

Except, everything’s not all sugar and spice for Pepper and her employees when a neighboring shop assistant is brutally attacked and left for dead. You can always count on Ms. Budewitz to create intricate and well-plotted mysteries, and Peppermint Barked is no exception. Not only are there suspects galore, but the reader is left to guess—just like Pepper—if the young woman was even the intended victim. This adds another layer to peel back in the quest to find the truth. As Pepper makes her way through the market talking to shop owners and picking up gossip, half-truths and secrets are discovered. Fitting the clues together will test the armchair detective’s skills and, as I headed toward the suspenseful conclusion, I found myself turning pages faster and faster. With a tidy wrap up of the plot threads running through the story, there’s a hint of future changes to come… and I can’t wait to find out what’s next!

Running a spice shop, Pepper immerses herself in food throughout the book, so be prepared to be hungry for Christmas goodies while you read. And, as usual, you can count on Ms. Budewitz sharing several mouthwatering recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try out. It was difficult to pick out just one to try but, if you’ve followed my blog for long, you’ll know I love cookies… especially Christmas cookies. And nothing is more festive than peppermint-flavored Candy Cane Cookies! The colorful twists of the peppermint and red cookie will add a delicious and jolly look to your holiday cookie platter, or use them to decorate your organic Christmas tree!

Amazon Synopsis

As the holiday season lights up Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market, Pepper Reece’s beloved Spice Shop is brimming with cinnamon, nutmeg, and shoppers eager to stuff their stockings. Add to the mix a tasty staff competition—a peppermint bark-off—along with Victorian costumes for this year’s Dickensian Christmas theme, and Pepper almost forgets to be nervous about meeting her fisherman boyfriend’s brother for the first time.

But when a young woman working in her friend Vinny’s wine shop is brutally assaulted, costumed revelers and holiday cheer are the last things on Pepper’s mind. Who would want to hurt Beth? Or were they looking for Vinny instead?

The vicious attack upsets everyone at Pike Place, but none more than Pepper’s own employee, Matt Kemp. At first, Pepper is baffled by his reaction, but his clandestine connection to Beth could hold the key to the assailant’s motive. Or perhaps it’s Vinny’s ex-wife who knows more than she’s letting on . . . and what about the mysterious top-hatted man with whom Pepper saw Beth arguing that morning?

As the secrets of the market come to light, long-held grudges, family ties, and hidden plans only further obscure the truth. Is it a ghost of the past rattling its chains, or a contemporary Scrooge with more earthly motives? As Pepper chases down a killer, someone is chasing her, and in the end, the storied market itself may hold the final, deadly clue.

A special thanks to Leslie Budewitz for providing a print copy of PEPPERMINT BARKED. Contest ends July 27, 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!)

Candy Cane Cookies

Food and memory are closely intertwined, especially at the holidays. Stoic Matt gets a little weepy as he remembers making these with his mother, who hung a few on the tree--and pretended to be surprised when they disappeared!

Makes 4 dozen.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
dash of salt
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring

Peppermint Glaze (optional)

1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1-2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Using your mixer, beat the butter until softened. Add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla, and peppermint, and beat well.
Add flour and salt and mix thoroughly.
Divide dough in half and mix food coloring into one half. Shape each half into balls, cover, and chill about 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
Roll the plain dough, about a teaspoonful at a time, into a 4-inch rope. Repeat with the red dough. Place a plain and a red rope side by side and twist together, then pinch the ends to seal. Shape twisted ropes into canes and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until done; bottoms of the cookies will be lightly browned. Remove and cool and on a wire rack.

For the glaze:

Mix the powdered sugar, peppermint, and enough water to make a think glaze; brush on cooled cookies.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes:

Since I made these during the hot summer, I found the dough needed to be kept refrigerated and removed a bit at a time to work with. After forming the candy cane cookies and placing them on baking sheets, I chilled for ten minutes before baking as directed.
I used scraps of the leftover cookie dough to marble together then formed candy cane cookies.
The glaze adds another delicious layer of peppermint flavor, however it does partially cover up the vivid red color of the cookie. You can brush the underside of the cookies with the glaze and leave the tops intact, or pipe thickened glaze in decorative patterns on top of the cookie.

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Spicy Cucumber Salad

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DEATH BY BUBBLE TEA is the first book in the brand new LA Night Market series by Jennifer J. Chow. There is so much that captivated me from the very start, from the surprising setting of Los Angeles, which Ms. Chow manages to make feel like a small community, to the food—oh my, the food!—to the protagonist’s family and culture, to the intriguing murder. With fascinating characters and action packed into the story, I couldn’t help but turn pages to find out what happened next. The protagonist, Yale Yee, is one of those characters who seem shy, withdrawn, and full of self-doubts in the beginning (what twenty-something-year-old eschews cell phones and social media and instead immerses herself in a failing bookstore and Jane Austen?). But, as the stakes mount, she finds the inner strength to overcome the obstacles that face her. I appreciated the character growth over the course of the book, especially when Yale is faced with her super successful, famous cousin, Celine. Charged with entertaining and then working with her cousin at a night market food stall representing her father’s restaurant, the theme of ‘family is everything’ is woven throughout, despite Yale’s misgivings.

The attention to cultural details in the book and to the well-plotted mystery makes the story flow. The reader is taken on a culinary journey as Yale tries to make sense of a murder after someone consumes her cousin’s bubble tea concoction. I greatly enjoyed how Yale uses food to entice (or perhaps coerce) potential suspects to reveal their secrets as she tries to prove her cousin’s innocence. Despite their polar opposite personalities, the two cousins work to find common ground and understanding in their quest to find the murderer. This adds a depth of emotion to the story and you can’t but hope that the tragedy will help the two cousins find lasting friendship and that future books in the series will continue to feature them both. The unique murder weapon was well thought out and added intrigue to the plot, making it difficult to guess the culprit from the myriad of suspects. With a hair-raising conclusion, the clues fell into place, along with a desire to find out what happens next to Yale and her family!

Did I mention the food? Not only does Ms. Chow showcase her Chinese cultural dishes but also touches on dishes from other ethnicities throughout the storyline. You’ll be drooling over all the descriptions and will leave you with the desire to take out your passport and book a culinary tour. There are a couple of recipes at the back of the book, one for bubble tea and the other for Spicy Cucumber Salad—both yummy! In the end, I decided to showcase the Spicy Cucumber Salad, which makes a great accompaniment to any roasted or sautéed meat entrée or whenever you want a refreshing way to showcase your bountiful garden harvest of cucumbers. I liked that it was easy to make and was also a step up from the typical garden salad fare often found at my dinner table, making for a nice presentation to whet your appetite.

Amazon Synopsis

When Yale Yee discovers her cousin Celine is visiting from Hong Kong, she is obliged to play tour guide to a relative she hasn’t seen in twenty years. Not only that, but her father thinks it’s a wonderful idea for them to bond by running a food stall together at the Eastwood Village Night Market. Yale hasn’t cooked in years, and she hardly considers Celine’s career as a social media influencer as adequate experience, but because she’s just lost her job at her local bookstore, she feels she has no choice.

Yale and Celine serve small dishes and refreshing drinks, and while business is slow, it eventually picks up thanks to Celine’s surprisingly useful marketing ideas. They’re quite shocked that their bubble tea, in particular, is a hit—literally—when one of their customers turns up dead. Yale and Celine are prime suspects due to the gold flakes that Celine added to the sweet drink as a garnish. Though the two cousins are polar opposites in every way, they must work together to find out what really happened to the victim or the only thing they’ll be serving is time.

A special thanks to Jennifer J. Chow and Berkley Publishing for providing a print copy of DEATH BY BUBBLE TEA. Contest ends July 17, 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!)

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

6 Persian cucumbers (washed)
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon black vinegar
1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon chili (I like to use Laoganma's Spicy Chili Crisp)
Salt to taste

Instructions

Slice or use mandoline to cut cucumbers to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
Peel and mince cloves of garlic.
Place cucumbers and garlic in a bowl.
Add soy sauce, black vinegar, sesame oil, chili, and salt.
Mix together and refrigerate for at least ten minutes before serving.

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Darn Fine Blueberry Buckle

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MURDER IS NO PICNIC, the third book in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery series by Amy Pershing, is a delicious read with fun, engaging characters! I’m always excited when I start a book and discover it has a holiday theme. In this newest release, the 4th of July is just around the corner and protagonist Samantha (Sam) Barnes is ready to delve into finding the perfect food to celebrate. As a Cape Cod food reporter, i.e. the Cape Cod Foodie, I greatly enjoyed how the author weaves Sam’s hunt for the very best blueberry buckle in the world with the murder of the woman who makes it. Except, authorities are calling it a tragic accident, but Sam is pretty certain there was foul play involved. As the pot is stirred to find suspects and the plot thickens as secrets are revealed, the police pounce on Sam’s boyfriend’s cousin. In an effort to prove his innocence, Sam steps up her investigation with the help of her close friends. Ms. Pershing writes a well-paced mystery and for those with sharp instincts, the clues will help you suss out the killer… or at least make you suspicious. I also loved how Sam and Detective Vivian Peters—Vivvie to her friends—have developed more of a friendship, as they bond over Sam giving the detective sailing lessons… which just might come in handy in the investigation.

In cozy mysteries, the mystery goes hand-in-hand with both characters and the setting, and Ms. Pershing has those in spades! With witty dialog and humor to lighten the scenes, Sam and her friends have great chemistry. Their get-togethers to talk over clues and suspects always include plenty of mouthwatering food. And, as in previous books, her adorable, goofy dog, Dioge, steals each and every scene. And who can resist the charm of Cape Cod? From the beaches, to the open water, to the dunes, to the weathered houses, the strong descriptions make it all come to life, making me want to visit, and since that’s not possible at the moment, makes me yearn for the next book in the series!

As the Cape Cod Foodie, Sam’s life revolves around food, all for the betterment of readers. Be prepared to be hungry as you read! Thankfully, the author includes several recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try. And, of course, there’s a recipe for Darn Fine Blueberry Buckle, which lives up to its name! I wasn’t familiar with “Buckle” but according to Ms. Pershing, the term comes from the way the streusel topping buckles when you cook it. My taste testers loved the thick, crunchy streusel topping, which enhances the sweet vanilla cake studded with fresh blueberries. With a dollop of freshly whipped cream, this really is darn fine!

Amazon Synopsis

The Fourth of July is coming, and for professional food lover Samantha Barnes, it’s all about the picnic. Okay, and the fireworks. And the parade. But mostly the picnic. What could be better than a DIY clambake followed by the best blueberry buckle in the world? Sam has finally found the perfect recipe in the kitchen of Clara Foster, famed cookbook author and retired restaurateur, and she’s thrilled when Clara agrees to a buckle baking lesson.

But when Clara dies in a house fire blamed on carelessness in the kitchen, Sam doesn’t believe it. Unfortunately, her doubts set in motion an investigation pointing to the new owner of Clara’s legendary restaurant—and a cousin of Sam’s harbormaster boyfriend. So, in between researching the Cape’s best lobster rolls and planning her clambake, Sam needs to find Clara’s killer before the fireworks really start….

A special thanks to Amy Pershing for providing a print copy of MURDER IS NO PICNIC. Contest ends July 10, 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!)

Darn Fine Blueberry Buckle

Far be it from me to claim this is the world's best blueberry buckle, but it's pretty darn fine! If you can find huckleberries, that's great, but regular blueberries are fantastic in this recipe. A couple of tips: Squeeze the streusel before breaking it up in clumps for the topping. Also, tossing the blueberries with a bit of flour before folding them into the batter will keep them from clumping. And finally, placing your cake pan on a small baking sheet can help keep the bottom of the cake from overbrowning.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Streusel:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, cut into 8 pieces and softened
Pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)

Cake:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
10 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup whole milk
1 pint (about 2 - 2-1/2 cups) fresh blueberries

Optional:

Whipped cream to serve alongside

Instructions

To make the streusel:

Using a mixer at low speed, beat the flour, both sugars, cinnamon, and salt (if using) to combine and break up any brown sugar lumps.
Still on low, add the softened butter and beat for 2 - 3 minutes until the mixture looks like wet sand.

To make the cake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan.
In a small bowl, whisk flour and baking powder together.
In another larger and heavier bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, and salt (if using) at medium speed until light and fluffy, abut 3 -4 minutes.
Add the vanilla and the egg, beating well.
With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk.
Toss the blueberries in a separate bowl with 1 - 2 tablespoons of flour and then fold them gently into the batter with a spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and use the spatula to spread it into an even layer.
Top with the streusel: Take a handful of the streusel and squeeze it into a clump. Break the clump into smaller pieces and sprinkle them over the batter. Keep this up until you've used all of your streusel.
Bake the cake for about 40 - 45 minutes or until the streusel is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
Transfer the cake pan to a wire rack to cool for about 15 - 20 minutes.
Run a thin knife around the edge of the cake, top it with a plate, and gently invert the cake onto the plate, streusel side down. Using another plate, invert the cake again, so that it is streusel side up. (This is easier than it sounds.)
Serve in wedges with whipped cream on the side (optional, but, really, who doesn't want that option?). Ta da!

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Chocolate Crinkles

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A HINT OF MISCHIEF is the third book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber. This charming and magical tale combines the best of cozy mysteries: a well-plotted murder, delightful characters, and an inviting setting. And I can’t overlook the cover… it’s magic all on its own. With a wide cast of characters, both human and fairy alike, the author thoughtfully provides a list at the front of the book for easy reference. But despite the number, Ms. Gerber does an admirable job with unique descriptions and the ability to make each character come to life on the pages. I also like how she opens each chapter with a literary quote about a fairy—who knew there were so many mentions out there?! The protagonist, Courtney Kelly, is owner of the adorable shop, Open Your Imagination, in Carmel-by-the-Sea in coastal California. The garden shop specializing in creating fairy gardens gives Courtney plenty of opportunities to teach customers how to craft their own fairy gardens, which readers can replicate at home. And stealing each scene she inhabits is Courtney’s adorable fairy, Fiona. Ms. Gerber’s detailed description of Fiona and all her fairy folk, brings magic to the pages and makes it entirely believable that fairies do exist.

While all the charming characters and the fairy garden shop might seem to make the reader forget that this is a murder mystery, the author starts the action from the very first page, which sets the pace for the book. She does an admirable job of weaving everyday work and play into the untimely death of a celebrity in town, who came to celebrate an old friend’s birthday. With the large gathering of sorority sisters for the birthday, there are plenty of suspects to go around. Except, fingers point toward a local young woman with a troubled past, who the celebrity gets into an altercation with. Courtney and Fiona jump into the investigation, intent on finding the real killer. Ms. Gerber expertly doles the clues out and leads the reader on a chase to find the truth. Courtney, at times, can be a bit overly forward in delving into the truth, but her tenacity is rewarded. Fiona is more actively involved in the investigation this time, which adds to the overall appeal and I’m happy to know that another Fairy Garden Mystery is in the works!

This might be a fairy garden book, but there are still plenty of mouthwatering dishes being served at the garden tea, at the birthday party, and at Courtney’s boyfriend’s restaurant. If you’ve read any of Ms. Gerber’s other books, you’ll know that she is an excellent cook and provides almost mini cookbooks with each mystery. A Hint of Mischief is no different with plenty of yummy recipes to choose from. I couldn’t help but want to make the recipe for Chocolate Crinkles. Sweet from the sugar included in the dough and then rolled into both granulated and powdered sugar before baking, these cookies are heavenly. The crisp edges and the chocolate fudgy texture make these cookies almost impossible to limit to eating only one or two.

Amazon Synopsis

Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties—for kids. But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister’s fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on. To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there’s nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business’s profile.

Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conjure up all the details. While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day—which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death. Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect? Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder . . .

A special thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing a print copy of A HINT OF MISCHIEF. Contest ends July 3, 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!)

Chocolate Crinkles

Yield: 4 dozen

Ingredients

8 ounces melted butter
4 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup extra granulated sugar, for rolling
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Heat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix butter, chocolate, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Blend in the eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add mixture to the sugar mixture and mix well.
Roll dough into walnut-sized balls, about 1 tablespoon. You might need to moisten your fingers.
Pour extra granulated sugar into a pie tin. Pour powdered sugar into a separate pie tin. Coat each ball with granulated sugar and then with powdered sugar. Place balls about 2 inches apart on the parchment paper.
Bake 10 - 12 minutes. These will look slightly gooey in the "cracks" when removed from the oven. That's fine. Do not overbake.

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

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