Kim, Author at Cinnamon and Sugar

Cardamom Pecan Pie

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MUDDLED THROUGH by Barbara Ross is the tenth book in the Maine Clambake Mysteries. A long-time fan of this delightful series, I eagerly await with anticipation to find out what feature of Maine the author will reveal for the new release. In this newest addition, it’s mud season and I enjoyed the skillful way the theme was woven into the storyline. Of course, the setting of Maine isn’t the only thing that brings me back again and again to the series. With strong characters, unique settings, and tightly plotted mysteries, Ms. Ross continues to be a fan favorite. If you’re new to the series, you can read this as a standalone, but trust me, you’ll greatly enjoy starting at the beginning and following the journey of protagonist Julia Snowden, along with her family and friends. Julia is a strong young woman, but with the last book, life has thrown some challenges at her with the demise of her relationship to Chris, and losing both her apartment and her winter job running a supper restaurant. She’s still trying to figure things out but, in the meantime, murder strikes Busman’s Harbor again, this time affecting her sister, Livvie’s boss and friend, Zoey.

The action starts right from the very first page and continues with plenty of intriguing suspects. I appreciate the loyalty Julia shows to both Livvie and Zoey, despite circumstances and clues pointing at Zoey’s guilt over the death of her cantankerous shop neighbor. Thrown into the mix is a controversial pedestrian mall that is dividing the town. As Julia hunts for clues and talks to townspeople, it becomes apparent there are several people hiding secrets, including the prime suspect, Zoey. With a fast-paced plot, I quickly turned the pages to find out what happened next and with an edge-of-your-seat reveal I didn’t see coming, the threads of the story wrapped up into a memorable read.

As with previous books, there are recipes included that showcase the flavors of Maine and/or have a family connection to the author like the recipe for Mrs. Gus’s Cardamom Pecan Pie. In real life, the pie is a variation that the author’s sister-in-law makes for Thanksgiving. In the book, Mrs. Gus, wife to the owner of the townspeople only café, makes the pies to sell in the restaurant when local fresh fruit isn’t available during winter and early spring. I loved that the pie uses maple syrup instead of the usual corn syrup. With plenty of sweetness and a generous amount of pecans, the hint of cardamom elevates the flavor to scrumptious!

Amazon Synopsis

Mud season takes on a whole new meaning in the coastal town of Busman’s Harbor, Maine, when local business owners sling dirt at one another in a heated feud over a proposed pedestrian mall. Vandalism is one thing, but murder means Julia Snowden of the Snowden Family Clambake steps in to clean up the case . . .

When Julia spots police cars in front of Lupine Design, she races over. Her sister Livvie works there as a potter. Livvie is unharmed but surrounded by smashed up pottery. The police find the owner Zoey Butterfield digging clay by a nearby bay, but she has no idea who would target her store. Zoey is a vocal advocate for turning four blocks of Main Street into a pedestrian mall on summer weekends. Other shop owners, including her next-door neighbor, are vehemently opposed. Could a small-town fight provoke such destruction? When a murder follows the break-in, it’s up to Julia to dig through the secrets and lies to uncover the truth . . .

A special thanks to Barbara Ross for providing a print copy of MUDDLED THROUGH. Contest ends June 29, 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!)

Mrs. Gus's Cardamom Pecan Pie

Mrs. Gus gets up at 4:00 every morning to bake the pies for her husband's restaurant. In the winter and spring when fresh local fruit is unavailable, Mrs. Gus gets creative with non-fruit options. In the real world this is a variation on the pie my sister-in-law, Maria Kent, makes every other Thanksgiving for the big Carito family gatherings. Though it seems like there are a thousand dessert offerings available at that feast, I always go for this one.

Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

Crust:

Make or buy your favorite single-crust pie crust

Filling:

1 cup real maple syrup
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon molasses
4 tablespoons butter, cubed and softened
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

Roll out dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Toast the pecan halves by spreading them on a baking tray and baking them for 8 - 10 minutes. Allow them to cool.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F).
Combine maple syrup, light brown sugar, whipping cream, and molasses in a sauce pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Let cool 5 minutes. Whisk in butter, salt, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk in egg yolks.
Spread pecans evenly over the crust. Pour syrup mixture over pecans.
Place in preheated oven and reduce heat to 325 degrees (F). Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until filling is set and center giggles slighty when gently shaken.
Cool completely on a wire rack.

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

Turtle Fudge

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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FUDGE by Nancy Coco is the tenth book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series. This newest release is another fun return to Mackinac Island where summer is in full swing with the Midsummer Night’s Festival. The author does a marvelous job of bringing the unique island setting to life, with its shops, tourists, and no motorized vehicles (aside from emergency vehicles). Instead, the sound of birds, lakeside waves, and the clomping of horses pulling carriages can be heard, and the aroma of chocolate fudge fills the air. The protagonist Allie McMurphy owns the McMurphy hotel and fudge shop and is elbow deep in fudge as she caters to the tourists pouring in. Another strength of Ms. Coco is the development of her characters over the course of the series. Allie is genuinely likeable and you can’t help but adore her bichonpoo pup, Mal. The entire cast of core characters, including Jenn, her best friend, and Officer Rex Manning, her boyfriend, have shown growth and change over the years, making them relatable. It’s like catching up with old friends whenever you pick up the newest book.

Unfortunately, Mal has a penchant for sniffing out dead bodies. However, this time around, Allie is the one to find the first victim floating in the lake right after the festival’s fireworks show. Who could have wanted the festival’s chairwoman dead? Thrown into the list of suspects is a disqualified beauty pageant contender. As Rex investigates, Allie is determined to let him do his job without interfering… except Mal sniffs out another victim and another committee member is threatened. Allie can’t stand by and risk becoming a victim herself, having joined the committee. There are plenty of suspects to question and regrettably, despite Rex’s admonishment to not put herself in danger, Allie seems to put herself at risk by constantly taking Mal for a walk. She even strays from the “safer” populated areas of downtown. As she susses out secrets and digs to find the truth, the list of suspects grows. At the hair-raising reveal, I was shocked by the culprit… which always makes me happy when I’m fooled by misdirection and a well-plotted story!

Allie spends a lot of time in her fudge shop, making a multitude of flavors. On top of that, she gives two fudge-making demonstrations a day. All I can say is yum! I loved reading all the descriptions and couldn’t wait to try several of the recipes included in the book. Chocolate, caramel, and pecans called to me first, in the Turtle Fudge recipe. It did not disappoint and was every bit as delicious as I’d expected. One of the things I love about Nancy Coco’s recipes is that they are so doable. Candy caramel pieces, chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk are effectively used to keep the fudge becoming grainy like some finicky recipes happen. Since everything is melted in the microwave, the fudge comes together quickly and the only hard part is waiting the two hours until it sets. But once it does, it’s difficult to limit yourself to just a piece or two or ten!

Amazon Synopsis

After a summer celebration on Michigan’s Mackinac Island ends in murder, hotel and fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy puts on her sleuthing hat . . .THERE’S NO SUGARCOATING A KILLER’S SCHEME

During the Midsummer Night’s Festival, Allie decides to take her bichonpoo, Mal, home to spare her furry little ears from the sounds of fireworks. But on her way back, Allie spots a body in the lake. Just minutes ago, Winona Higer was crowning the event’s Queen—could the competition have really been that deadly?

While she ponders the mystery the next morning, Allie prepares her favorite dark chocolate cherry fudge recipe. But she’s soon recruited to sub for the late Winona and serve as parade float judge, among other duties. As she hears rumors and gossip, and learns of mean pranks and threatening notes, her instincts kick in—despite her boyfriend the cop’s disapproval. Now, between managing a new hire and keeping the tourists filled with fudge, she’s dealing with a case that’s boiling over . . .

A special thanks to Nancy Coco for providing a print copy of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FUDGE. Contest ends June 19, 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!)

Turtle Fudge

Makes 64 pieces

Ingredients

14 ounces soft caramel pieces
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

In a microwave safe bowl, microwave on high, caramel pieces and heavy whipping cream - stir every thirty seconds until melted and smooth.
In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave on high, stirring every thirty seconds until chocolate is nearly all melted. It will continue to melt after you take it out. Stir until smooth. Add salt and vanilla. Stir.
Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. Pour in half the chocolate fudge. Add half the nuts. Pour caramel on top. Add remaining nuts and cover with remaining fudge.
Cool for 2 hours until set. Cut into one-inch pieces.
Enjoy!

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Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

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BAYOU BOOK THIEF is the first in the brand-new Vintage Cookbook Mystery series by Ellen Byron and every bit as charming as I’d anticipated! From captivating diverse characters to dastardly deeds to iconic New Orleans locales, the author pens a vivid tale featuring protagonist, Ricki James. From the very first page, I couldn’t read fast enough as I wanted to get to know the quirky characters and their backstory. Keeping a firm grasp on the pacing of the mystery, Ms. Byron prudently doles out those details, which only made me more intrigued. Ricki is a compelling protagonist in that she was born in New Orleans, then adopted at birth by her NICU nurse and then grew up in Los Angeles. After the demise of her husband and a scandal concerning her previous employer, she returns to New Orleans. Despite her tragic life, Ricki has a sense of humor and a strong sense of justice, mostly in thanks to the couple who raised her. I was pleased that while they’re not physically with Ricki, having retired to Mexico, their long-distance relationship is strong and loving. This gives the book a balance of community and family that can often be missing in mysteries.

Starting over is never easy, but Ricki lands a job operating Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware gift shop at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the body of a former employee who she’d accused of stealing to show up and wreak havoc on her new life and new venture. As Ricki delves into the life of the victim and starts asking questions to figure out who there are twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Ms. Byron pens a tightly plotted story peppered with secrets, lies, and betrayal. With a tempting teaser to close out the book, I cannot wait until the second book releases!

With several vintage cookbooks mentioned throughout the story, it was a pleasure to find out that several recipes from actual vintage cookbooks are included at the back of the book. Ms. Byron includes an introduction to the cookbooks featured on how she came to collect the vintage cookbook. I was drawn to the recipe for Old-Fashioned Gingerbread from the Country Fair Cookbook: Every Recipe a Blue Ribbon Winner (1975). Reminiscent of time spent at my grandmother’s home, this highly flavorful cake brought back memories. I loved Ms. Byron’s addition of diced crystallized ginger, which added a depth of delicious flavor, and with the ease of mixing up, I’ll be baking this again whenever I crave a snack cake. Served on its own or with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar or a dollop of whipped cream, this is a delicious treat!

Amazon Synopsis

Twenty-eight-year-old widow Ricki James leaves Los Angeles to start a new life in New Orleans after her showboating actor husband perishes doing a stupid internet stunt. The Big Easy is where she was born and adopted by the NICU nurse who cared for her after Ricki’s teen mother disappeared from the hospital.

Ricki’s dream comes true when she joins the quirky staff of Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, the spectacular former Garden District home of late bon vivant Genevieve “Vee” Charbonnet, the city’s legendary restauranteur. Ricki is excited about turning her avocation – collecting vintage cookbooks – into a vocation by launching the museum’s gift shop, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware. Then she discovers that a box of donated vintage cookbooks contains the body of a cantankerous Bon Vee employee who was fired after being exposed as a book thief.

The skills Ricki has developed ferreting out hidden vintage treasures come in handy for investigations. But both her business and Bon Vee could wind up as deadstock when Ricki’s past as curator of a billionaire’s first edition collection comes back to haunt her.

Will Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware be a success … or a recipe for disaster?

A special thanks to Ellen Byron for providing a print copy of BAYOU BOOK THIEF. Contest ends June 15, 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!)

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

Author's Note: My family owned a cottage on a lake in Connecticut, and one of my favorite activities was attending the local town and county fairs. I was so excited when I found this cookbook at our local library book sale. I love gingerbread, and this book includes almost half a dozen delicious recipes for it. I couldn't resist including a recipe inspired by the one described as "deep, dark gingerbread like Grandmother used to make." Country Fair Cookbook: Every Recipe a Blue Ribbon Winner (1975)

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup dark molases
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup diced crystallized ginger (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
Sift or stir the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and salt together.
In another bowl, cream the shortening and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well, then beat in the molasses.
Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the hot water. Beat the batter well after each addition to combine the ingredients. Stir in the crystallized ginger if using.
Pour the batter into the greased 9-inch square baking pan and bake for 45 minutes, or until the cake is done. This can be determined by either pressing the top to see if it bounces back or inserting a toothpick that comes out clean.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Note:

I made this twice, but the second time I used my mini Bundt pans to bake. Reduce the baking time to 20 minutes, then start checking every 2 minutes for doneness.

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Blackberry No-Bake Cheesecake

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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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Cheery Cherry “Do-it-Yourself” Pickle Jar Ice Cream

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A SPRINKLE IN TIME, the second book in the Shake Shop Mysteries, by Dana Mentink, is another fantastic read in an entertaining series! With characters who practically beg to become your friend, the story kept me captivated from the very first. The author has created quirky characters and developed unique relationships between them, which gives the cozy mystery book a fresh twist. Trinidad Jones, newly moved to Upper Sprocket, Oregon thanks to a cheating ex-husband, has finally gotten her ice cream shop, Shimmy and Shake Shop, up and running. I adore that her Cuban grandfather, Papa Luis has left Miami and moved in with her for the foreseeable future. He’s become a bit of a sidekick along with her elderly failed service-dog rescue, Noodles. The pair add moments of humor to lighten the story. The author’s descriptive voice lends to the overall enjoyment and I couldn’t help but chuckle over her description of Noodles trying to take part in the Yodel fest event.

When Papa Luis discovers a body in the trunk of his beloved 1951 Buick, it disappears before the police arrive. Ms. Mentink sets up several sub-mysteries within the mystery as Trinidad tries to determine if the body was even dead, and the identity of the body, and who might have put the body in the trunk in the first place. As she tries to investigate—something she is loath to do—her two friends, Bonnie and Juliette, who also happen to be ex-wives of her ex-husband, help. I adore the development of the friendship between the three women and am glad to see the reader gets to know more about them. As the identity of the body becomes known, it becomes apparent that many people had reasons to hate him. And with a thirty-year-old cold case involving a missing local young woman thrown in, the twists just keep coming. Ms. Mentink does an admirable job keeping the book on pace and the subplot threads straight without it becoming confusing. As all was revealed, it all came together in a satisfying, cohesive story.

With the backdrop of the setting featuring the Shimmy and Shake Shop, Trinidad’s massive Freakshake creations lends plenty of opportunities to make the reader crave ice cream desserts. The multitude of yummy descriptions had me drooling. The author has included a couple recipes at the back of the book, one of which is Cheery Cherry “Do-it-Yourself” Pickle Jar Ice Cream. Featured at a little girl’s birthday party for guests having the opportunity to make their own ice cream, I couldn’t wait to try this super simple take on homemade ice cream. It was every bit as easy and fun as I’d imagined and the resulting frozen dessert was quite delicious! I found that storing the ice cream long-term resulted in very hard ice cream, but a quick zap in the microwave to soften worked perfectly. Delicious on its own or drizzled with chocolate syrup or speckled with chocolate sprinkles, this ice cream is a fun and delicious treat that kids and adults alike can make!

Amazon Synopsis

It’s Alpenfest in Upper Sprocket! Yodelers are congregating in the square, tourists flocking to the town, and Trinidad Jones is scooping up some fall flavors at her Shimmy and Shake Shop.

The cherry on the sundae is her upcoming feature in The Scoop magazine. She’s determined to serve up the perfect interview, but it won’t be easy, thanks in part to her meddling Cuban grandfather Papa Luis who has decided to make Sprocket his home for the foreseeable future. Papa Luis has set himself up as a taxi driver in his classic 1951 Buick.

But things take a turn when Papa Luis tells her he’s found a corpse in his trunk. Upon closer investigation, they realize the body has disappeared. With the assistance of Juliette and Bonnie (her sisterhood of exes) and the way too handsome nut farmer Quinn Logan, Trinidad must solve the mystery of the disappearing corpse, before her grandfather is up to his neck in a murderous mess.

A special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for providing a print copy of A SPRINKLE IN TIME. Contest ends June 1, 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!)

Cheery Cherry "Do-it-Yourself" Pickle Jar Ice Cream

This works best in a clean 16-ounce or larger pickle or jelly jar. It's a fun activity for kids and adults alike!

Ingredients

1 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 pinch salt

Optional add-ins

1/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

Pour all of the ingredients into the jar except the optional add-ins. Close the lid tightly and shake for five minutes. (Recruit help if your arms get tired!)
Put the jar into the freezer and let sit for two hours.
Add your mix-ins to the jar, if you'd like. Stir the mixture around if it has gotten too solid.
Freeze for another hour until desired consistency.

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Portuguese Yogurt Cake

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DEATH PLANS A PERFECT TRIP is the sixth book in the Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mysteries by Mary Jane Maffini. While it may be the first I’ve read in the series, it certainly won’t be my last. I found this easily read as a standalone, but the captivating story makes me want to go back and read from the beginning. Ms. Maffini pens an enthralling mystery while catering to those with wanderlust with wonderful details and delectable descriptions. I enjoyed how she starts each chapter with a practical organizational tip relating to travel. And while I don’t have any trips planned, these tips alone are worth keeping. The protagonist, Charlotte Adams, is thoroughly likeable and had me cheering for her throughout the story. All the characters are fully developed and the descriptions are so vivid, I felt like I was right there alongside Charlotte, meeting and talking with them. I especially enjoyed “meeting” Charlotte’s two rescue dachshunds, Truffle and Sweet Marie. While they didn’t inhabit many pages, they still managed to shine.

I’m always impressed when an author can juggle a current day mystery while weaving in a mystery from long ago. Ms. Maffini expertly writes such a story in this newest release. She carefully doles out clues from Charlotte’s mysterious childhood, which adds to the layers of intrigue surrounding the current day disappearance of her famous author mother. The fast-moving plot kept me turning pages to find out what happened to Charlotte as a child and what happens to her next as she transverses Europe hunting for her mother. As the pages flew by, the suspense mounted and I couldn’t put the book down. I’ll admit, I was quite stunned with the reveal, having no inkling of who the culprit was. And then there was a twisty-turvey curveball thrown that had me gasping. While I catch up with the previous books in the series, I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next in this highly entertaining series!

As Charlotte and her boyfriend, Jack, scour European cities in search of her mother, Jack makes sure they take the time to sample the local cuisine. Not only is the book an armchair traveler’s and armchair detective read, it’s also caters to foodies with mouthwatering descriptions. The author includes a recipe for biscotti at the back of the book, which sounds quite delightful. Ms. Maffini is also sharing her recipe for Portuguese Yogurt Cake with us today. I just adore the simplicity of a Bundt cake, yet the cake still seems so festive. The cake itself is moist with a delicate flavor. As suggested by the author, I added a swirl of raspberry jam, which my taste testers loved. With a quick sprinkle of powdered sugar and a handful of fresh raspberries for garnish, this makes a delicious dessert to serve on any occasion.

Amazon Synopsis

When her mother disappears, professional organizer Charlotte Adams will have to take off on a very disorganized trip across Europe to save her life . . .

It’s not unusual for Esme Adams to dash off overseas with no warning, but when weeks pass and Charlotte still hasn’t heard from her, she begins to worry that her mother’s in danger and has gone into hiding. Before she can even begin to guess where to start looking, though, Charlotte finds her own home ransacked and then set ablaze. Determined to escape a more serious attack while the police investigate, she sets off for Europe, hoping to track down her mother at one of her secluded getaway spots.

As Charlotte follows a winding trail of clues through Paris, Lisbon, Milan and beyond—narrowly missing her mother in each city, and just as narrowly eluding her pursuers—secrets begin to emerge about her mother’s shadowy past. A history of ties to criminal organizations, an infamous bank heist, and a gentleman thief who may have been her one true love all raise questions about her mother’s true identity and the peril she faces. As Charlotte processes the dizzying implications about her mother, her own childhood memories, and the father she never knew, she’ll have to work fast to catch up with her mother, before her mother’s past catches up with them all . . .

A special thanks to Mary Jane Maffini for providing winner’s choice of either an ebook or print copy of DEATH PLANS A PERFECT TRIP. Contest ends May 26, 2022 at 11:59 pm PST and print is limited to U.S. and Canadian residents. 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!)

Portuguese Yogurt Cake

From author Mary Jane Maffini: We were served this simple and delicious cake for breakfast on a visit to Lisbon to research Death Plans a Perfect Trip. We fell in love with it and had to include it in the book. The proprietor of our B & B used an old family recipe and declined to share it, although he was very generous with servings of the cake in various versions. This is the recipe I reconstructed through research and trial and error. It’s pretty close to the original and it’s always a big hit. This cake is excellent plain with a dusting of icing sugar. You can vary it by swirling in your favorite jam or preserves or even chopped chocolate, fifteen minutes into baking. Sliced fruit would work too. It’s a very flexible cake.

Ingredients

3/4 cup unflavored whole milk Greek yogurt. Don’t use low fat! You can use flavored yogurt though if you want to switch it up. I like vanilla-bean flavor.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 extra-large eggs, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups unbleached sifted white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon good quality vanilla or 1/4 teaspoon almond flavoring or both!

Optional:

1/2 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips or sliced fruit or jam or preserves.
Icing sugar for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
Grease and flour a tube pan. Be generous! You don’t want it to stick.
In a stand mixer, cream yogurt and butter until smooth. Add eggs one by one beating well. Add vanilla and or almond flavoring if using.
Add sugar slowly, mixing well as you go.
Add flour and baking powder to the mixture until blended.
Pour into greased tube pan.
Bake 45 minutes at 375 degrees (F).
Fifteen minutes into baking, swirl in chocolate, fruit or jam if using. Then continue to bake until tester comes out clean. Sometimes it takes longer! When cool, remove from pan and dust with sifted icing sugar. You could ice this cake if that’s how you roll.

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

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