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Caramel Blondies

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A SPRINKLING OF MURDER, the first book in the brand new Fairy Garden Mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber, is an enchanting tale that captured my fancy! With a charming setting in Carmel-by-the-Sea situated on California’s Monterey Peninsula, the reader can’t help but feel like they’re on vacation. I adored the fairy garden and tea shop, Open Your Imagination, owned by protagonist Courtney Kelly. It was a treat to learn some of the ins and outs of creating fairy gardens for personal home gardens as the story unfolded. This is one of the times I wish it were possible for pictures to be included within the text as I read along. (However, if you visit the author’s website, she has photos and YouTube videos posts on her “just for fans” page. https://darylwoodgerber.com/fanclub/index.php#fairy)

Sometimes first books in a series introduce a large cast to set the stage for future books and that happens here. However, the author provides a helpful list of characters at the front of the book for easy reference. I liked the protagonist Courtney. She is smart and curious but doesn’t come across as overly nosy or in-your-face. When she discovers the murdered body of her shop’s neighbor on her patio late one night and then becomes a suspect, Courtney knows she needs to get to the bottom of the crime and clear her name. Assisting her in sleuthing is the adorable fairy, Fiona, who is on probation after being expelled from fairy school for too many pranks. Fiona is a fun sidekick to Courtney with her penchant for shenanigans! The introduction of this surprising fantasy element brought a lightheartedness to the story which I greatly enjoyed. To tie in the magical fairy theme, the author also includes lovely “fairy” quotes from literature at the beginning of each chapter. I was tempted to page ahead to read them all before starting the story.

Ms. Gerber is well-known for her other cozy mystery books and her expertise in crafting a well-plotted mystery is on full display here. The pace was even and kept me turning pages wanting to see what happens next. The number of suspects and the way Courtney presented them as she asks questions made it difficult to guess who the culprit was. They all seemed entirely viable. With a surprising twist at the Agatha Christie-style reveal, I was left feeling highly satisfied and entertained!

While this may be a cozy mystery set in a fairy garden shop, they do serve tea and treats there. Courtney also frequents the Hideaway Café which is owned by her potential love interest, Brady, so there’s plenty of yummy food mentioned. True to Ms. Gerber’s love for creating delectable recipes, she’s included several at the back of the book. I couldn’t help but be drawn to the recipe for Caramel Blondies which use a layer of homemade salted caramel sauce… and all I can say is oh my goodness… these are incredibly decadent! And delicious! The blondies are easily mixed up and while the caramel sauce isn’t difficult, you do have to keep a close watch on it. I learned my lesson the hard way on the first go around when the sugar burned. Other than that, I’ll be making these again because there’s extra caramel sauce leftover to eat by the spoonful… err for topping ice cream after the blondies are gone!

 

Caramel Blondies have a luscious layer of homemade salted caramel sauce and a generous sprinkle of chopped pecans between rich, buttery blondies. Recipe shared with permission granted by Daryl Wood Gerber, author of A SPRINKLING OF MURDER.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Fairy garden store owner Courtney Kelly believes in inviting magic into your life. But when uninvited trouble enters her shop, she’ll need more than a sprinkling of her imagination to solve a murder . . .

Since childhood, Courtney has loved fairies. After her mother died when Courtney was ten, she lost touch with that feeling of magic. A year ago, at age twenty-nine, she rediscovered it when she left her father’s landscaping business to spread her wings and start a fairy garden business and teashop in beautiful Carmel, California. At Open Your Imagination, she teaches garden design and sells everything from fairy figurines to tinkling wind chimes. Now she’s starting a book club tea.

But the light of the magical world she’s created inside her shop is darkened one night when she discovers neighboring dog-grooming business owner Mick Watkins dead beside her patio fountain. To make matters worse, the police suspect Courtney of the crime. To clear her name and find the real killer, Courtney will have to wing it. But she’s about to get a little help from an unexpected source . . .

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber for providing one lucky winner with their choice of either print or an ebook copy of A SPRINKLING OF MURDER! Print giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, July 15, 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!)

 

 

 

 

Caramel Blondies have a luscious layer of homemade salted caramel sauce and a generous sprinkle of chopped pecans between rich, buttery blondies. Recipe shared with permission granted by Daryl Wood Gerber, author of A SPRINKLING OF MURDER.

Print
Caramel Blondies

The biggest trick to baking with caramel is to let the baked goods cool completely after baking. Wait, wait, wait. Two hours at minimum. Also, make sure you don't overbake these blondies. Dry blondies are no fun.

Ingredients
Blondies:
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted and cooled a tad
  • 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce, prepared ahead, kept warm (recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or cashews
  • fleur de sel
Salted Caramel Sauce:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
Blondies:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Butter a 9 x 9-inch baking pan or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

  2. In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

  3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, vanilla, and flour mixture. Mix until well combined.

  4. Spread half of the mixture in the prepared pan and smooth.

  5. Spread salted caramel onto the blondie batter using a spoon, leaving a bit of space around the edges. Top with the chopped nuts. Drop the remaining batter in spoonfuls over the caramel and spread with a spatula. Using a knife, swirl the blondie batter with the caramel. If desired, sprinkle with fleur de sel.

  6. Bake 28 - 32 minutes until set in the middle and golden brown. A toothpick should come out clean. Do not overbake.

  7. Make sure you cool completely, at least 2 hours, before cutting into squares. If necessary, place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help the caramel set.

For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

  1. In a 3-quart saucepan, add the sugar and water and cook at medium heat. Stir until combined. Do NOT stir again. Heat the mixture until a candy thermometer reads 350 degrees (F). Remove thermometer.

  2. Carefully add the butter and whisk until butter is melted. Remove the pan from heat and slowly pour in the cream, whisking all the time until the cream is incorporated. Whisk in the sea salt and set aside to cool.

  3. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then store in a heatproof, airtight container until ready to use. Refrigerate leftovers.

Caramel Blondies have a luscious layer of homemade salted caramel sauce and a generous sprinkle of chopped pecans between rich, buttery blondies. Recipe shared with permission granted by Daryl Wood Gerber, author of A SPRINKLING OF MURDER.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

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Caramel Blondies have a luscious layer of homemade salted caramel sauce and a generous sprinkle of chopped pecans between rich, buttery blondies. Recipe shared with permission granted by Daryl Wood Gerber, author of A SPRINKLING OF MURDER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Caramel Blondies have a luscious layer of homemade salted caramel sauce and a generous sprinkle of chopped pecans between rich, buttery blondies. Recipe shared with permission granted by Daryl Wood Gerber, author of A SPRINKLING OF MURDER.

 

 

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69 thoughts on “Caramel Blondies”

  1. I read about these last night in the book! Can’t wait to try them. Really enjoying the book.

  5. This looks absolutely delicious! I love caramel, so I’m going to have to try these.
    (also, I love print books… 😉 )

  6. Kim, I’m so glad you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing. Lovely pictures! Yum. ~ Daryl

  8. If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love a print copy of “SPRINKLING OF MURDER”.

    Fabulous author, great cover and a book that is most definitely on my TBR list.

    • I love Books with recipes in them and a new series I haven’t read yet always has a special place in my heart and another new Author to add to my AUTHOR’S NOTEBOOKS. Love to read Mystery’s of any kind and put myself into all the Characters the Author has it is so much fun because you become a part of the series you read.
      If I am picked I would like a printed copy please.

  11. I only read print books. Thanks for the chance. These books always sound fun and the covers are always cute.

  12. Yum! The bars look delicious, and the story looks delightful! I would prefer a print book. Thanks!

  20. I prefer a print copy, please. So excited about this first book in a new series! LOVE the fairy theme!! And I must try those caramel Blondies! They look delicious! Thank you for the chance to win!

    • Dawn, I’m having so much fun with this fairy theme. Just got an idea for book 3 yesterday.

  23. That recipe looks delicious! I love the beautiful covers on print books, but I prefer ebooks for storage reasons. Can’t wait to read this.

    • Jeanne, storage is a factor isn’t it? Whew, but books fill the space. LOL I have to admit that I love browsing titles, however.

  28. Print copy, please. I love blondies, but have never had caramel. They sound & look so good.

  31. I love print books. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe, and for this chance to win!

  32. I prefer print. Thanks for the chance. It looks sounds like a good read. The cover is cute.

  37. I prefer print because than I can share them with others who can also learn about new to us authors.
    But I do read both.

  40. Love seeing all the comments. Looks like we’re split for the e-books and paper choices. Isn’t that fascinating? Oh, how the world has changed! Love to all. ~ Daryl

  45. I prefer ebook but I also read print. This sounds like a very good book. I am going to have to make the blondie recipe. Thanks for bringing to my attention.

  49. I prefer print. Thank you for the chance to win and sharing this awesome recipe. I love Blondies!!

  51. I like print, but have found e-book is easier and handier. The blondes look scrumptious!

  52. I would prefer a print book if I am fortunate enough to win this giveaway.

    I am going to have to try this recipe.

  53. Print copy please.I think I have the items to make this recipe, still hit or miss at the grocery store but my family next door ,3grandsons, and I are I stressed out and sweets seem to help.

  55. I would prefer a print copy. Thanks for the giveaway! I’m excited to try your recipe!

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