ANOTHER ONE BITES THE CRUST by Ellie Alexander is a worthy addition to a very enjoyable series! This seventh book in her Bake Shop Mystery series builds on the characters and strengthens the protagonist, Jules (Juliet) Capshaw’s ties to Ashland, Oregon. And yes, she was named after “that” Juliet. 
Ashland is known for its Shakespearean Festival each summer (it really is a real-life event!) and the setting provides so many opportunities for drama and small-town connections. Jules and her mother own Torte, a delightfully yummy bakeshop. I would dearly love to spend time in her shop every day, enjoying the close-knit banter between the staff, the incredibly decadent smells and tastes coming from the kitchen, and the sweet kindness from the proprietress. If I could describe this series in just a couple of words, it would be character connection. I love how Jules and her staff at Torte really are like family, despite their many differences. I think one of the things that can make a cozy mystery series successful is the connection the author can create between the reader and the characters. Ms. Alexander definitely brings the reader directly into Jules’ life and helps us experience Torte, Ashland, and the mystery first hand.
In ANOTHER ONE BITES THE CRUST, Jules’ friend, Lance, who is the artistic director of The Shakespeare Festival, has been arrested for murder of the leading man. There are several suspects since actors and actresses lend themselves easily to the drama of the situation. However, Lance himself seems to be hiding something, which brings tension to the plot. Jules finds out just how much her friendship to Lance means and gets involved to prove his innocence. Ms. Alexander brings an emotional level to this new book that hasn’t been quite so evident before. It begins by examining what friendship means, especially when a person’s presence has been taken for granted. Jules also begins to acknowledge her buried feelings about her mother’s pending remarriage and the feelings associated with her deceased father. This conveys a vulnerability and an emotional connection to the story. The ending brings a satisfying conclusion to the murder mystery but I will be impatiently waiting to see what’s next in store for Jules and her friends!
Spending any time reading about Jules at Torte will leave you drooling and ready to raid the pantry. Fortunately the author provides recipes at the back of the book so you can experience some of the treats at home. Ellie has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for her Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Ginger…. and let me be the first to say, “oh my”! This is decadently rich and was a huge hit with my step-daughter’s book club luncheon, even with ladies who never eat dessert! The cake is chock-full of carrots, nuts, spices, and citrus while the cream cheese frosting carries on the citrus theme with plenty of tasty zest from both a lemon and an orange. To top it off, fresh candied ginger garnishes the cake, tying in the flavor of freshly grated ginger used in the batter. This carrot cake is worthy of any special occasion or any reason to splurge and treat yourself to a very delicious dessert!
Amazon Synopsis
Torte―the beloved small-town bakeshop run by Jules Capshaw―is set to hit the stage. But who would have guessed that murder would makes a surprise appearance?
It’s the role of a lifetime for Jules. The Shakespeare Festival has returned to Ashland, Oregon, for the season and Torte has been cast as the supplier of Elizabethan-era treats for the main event. But on the eve of opening night, a brawl between Jules’s friend Lance, the artistic director, and a strapping young thespian named Anthony almost brings down the house. . .and the next morning, Anthony is dead. Jules knows that Lance loves his drama―and his just desserts―but she also knows that murder is way off-script for him. Now it’s up to Jules to cut through a bevy of backstage betrayals and catty co-stars who all have their own secrets―before the curtain drops on someone else. . .
A special thanks to Ellie Alexander for providing one winner with a signed copy of ANOTHER ONE BITES THE CRUST! Contest ends Sunday, January 7, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe 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!)
- 2 large eggs
- 1-1/4 cups canola oil
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon vanilla butter extract (or substitute vanilla)
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 cups grated carrots (use fresh grated carrots, not pre-packaged grated)
- Juice of one lemon, reserve zest & 1 teaspoon juice for frosting
- Juice of one orange, reserve zest & 1 teaspoon juice for frosting
- Small piece of ginger root, grated
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- Fresh ginger root
- 1/4 cup sugar
- water
- 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Zest of lemon and orange
- 3-1/2 to 4 cups of powdered sugar
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl add eggs, oil, buttermilk, sugar, vanilla, orange juice, and lemon juice. Beat together, then mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Fold in shredded carrots, grated ginger, and nuts. Spread into two greased nine-inch pans*. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes then turn out onto wire racks. Allow cakes to cool before frosting.
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Use a mandolin (or a vegetable peeler or sharp chef's knife) to slice thin pieces of ginger (with the bark removed). Place in a saucepan and simmer in 1/4 cup of water for 30 minutes or until ginger is tender. Remove from heat and drain water. Return ginger to pan, add 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup of sugar and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and continue to stir until the syrup begins to look dry (almost as if it has evaporated). Remove from heat and allow ginger pieces to cool on a wire baking rack.
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Beat butter on high speed in an electric mixer for 5 minutes. Add cream cheese and whip for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add vanilla, lemon and orange juice, plus zest and sift in powdered sugar one cup at a time until blended and creamy. Spread immediately on cooled cake. Top with candied ginger pieces.
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You will need 15 ounces (421g) of grated carrots so buy more than 1 pound to allow for peeling and trimming end pieces.
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*I found that the cake stuck on the bottom. Next time I'll line my cake pans with parchment paper and spritz with non-stick cooking spray before adding batter. If you have non-stick pans you probably won't need the parchment paper.
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To easily grate fresh ginger, peel the outer layer off with a vegetable peeler then freeze the ginger root in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Once frozen, remove as needed and grate on a rasp-style grater. The leftover ginger can be stored in the freezer to use for future recipes.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sounds like a good read.
Every year a Medieval Faire is held in a neighboring town in July and part of August. They have the stalls with foods acquainted with that time period, giant turkey legs, Scotch eggs, etc. Other venues show jousting and the one I love the most is the Washing Well Witches. They’re a bawdy group of women that sing and enjoy making the men in the audience uncomfortable. Thank you for hosting Ellie Alexander and her book on your blog.
We’ve gone to the Renaissance Faire in Bristol, Wisconsin many many times. Always a fun time!
The carrot cake recipe sounds delicious! Going to have to make it.
There is an annual Renaissance festival in the area where I live. I have been several times. I don’t dress up but it’s always fun to go. I love the Bake Shop series and can’t wait to read the new book.
I have not had the opportunity to go to either ..
Yes and yes! They are so much fun & interesting with period costumes & amazing language.
No l have not been to either. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway
I went to the Renaissance Fair near where I lived a very long time ago but, not recently. It was fun seeing everyone dressed in period costumes and roaming the booths.
When my kids were small, we went to a Ren Faire every fall. We loved the story each season, the crafts, the food and the performances. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wow! That is spectacular looking.
Yes, we used to go to the Ren Fair in Tuxedo NY every year.
I’ve been to a Renaissance Fair, but not since I was a kid.
I have never attended a Medieval or Renaissance Fair. The cake looks very yummy. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks for a chance to win. Would love to read this.
We have not been to a Rennaissance Faire in years. But it wasn’t my most enjoyable kind of activity to be honest.
I have allergies and asthma and those faires are dusty and gritty from the jousting etc so it’s not the best environment for me. I am also not a fan of rowdiness and so I think I have gone before and don’t need to do that again especially in my older years. I’m more into tea parties now. ?
Congratulations on the release and thank you for the giveaway.
Yes, in high school we took a trip in New York to a Shakespearean event. It’s been a while but I’ve attended two Renaissance fairs.
So nice to get a chance for contests plus yummy recipes
I’ve never been to a Ren faire, have only read about them. Thanks for the giveaway, the recipe looks amazing!
No, I have not attended a renaissance fair before, but have been to Medieval Times ~
Ren Fairs used be nearby but not many anymore. I love going to Farmers Markets.
The guveaway ends on my birthday, so I think I am destined to win. The caje recipe looks good although I am slightly wary of candied ginger. Thanjs!
No I haven’t but would like to try one.
I have never gone to either. Would like to go to a Renaissance Fair. This cake looks so yummy. Thank you for the chance.
Wow this sounds like such a good one and since it is my anniversary week I would love to read will tell hubby !
oops so excited to read no I have never been have had the opportunity but thought scooter would be a pain to take so others went !
They have a Ren Faire here every summer at a castle. I have only been once and loved it.
Yes. We have a Ren Fest every year near here It’s so popular that they even have permanent booths that stay there year round. It’s akway fun. I love the wild bird show and watching people get hypnotized and all the elaborate costumes. Also the food is fun. Carrot cake is my favorite cake and your recipe looks amazing!
I have never attended a Shakespearean event or a Renaissance Fair but I would love to.
I have never attended a Shakespearean event or a Renaissance Fair.
This cake sounds amazing – love the zest in the frosting and the candied ginger puts it over the top! Both the recipe and book are a must do. In my younger days I did a Renaissance in Illinois. We sold meat pies, baked in a stone oven , on what was usually the hottest day of the summer! After closing a large group of us would have a huge feast ! What fun we had! Great memories.
I’ve attended a Renaissance Fair.
I have been to a Renaissance Fair. They have one in Wisconsin every year and it’s really a lot of fun. It’s interesting to see the people dressed up in their period dress, they really get into character.
No I have never attended either.
No Kim, I haven’t attended either of these types of events. Thanks for the review & a chance in the give-a-way!
Yes, we have a long running Ren Fest every fall, not too far from where we live!
No, unfortunately, I have never had the chance to visit as Renaissance Fair or even a Shakespearean Event! I would love to though!
Love carrot cake and can’t wait to try this one with fresh ginger, wow!
Could you make muffins from this recipe instead of a cake?
We visited a renaissance fair years ago. Like, before children. It’d be fun to go again and take our girls along. They love acting and I could see them really getting into the whole interacting with actors thing.
Arletta, I’m afraid that the carrots wouldn’t soften enough for the shorter baking time required for muffins. If you try converting the recipe, you might want to mince the carrots in a food processor or finely grate them. Please let me know how they turn out if you decide to try turning them into muffins! Good luck!
You write such good stories. Look forward to this one as it will be as good as all her books.
I have not attended a Shakespearean event but as a teenager, I worked in a booth at a Renaissance Fair. It was fun, I’d love to do that again someday.
I never attended a Shakespearean event or a Renaissance Fair? Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of Another One Bites The Crust.
I’ve gone to the Renaissance Faire in Shakopee MN several times but not for many years.
I have not, but it does sound like a lot of fun…and a lot of work! =)
No I haven’t but would love to.
I have been to a Rennisance Fair once and really enjoyed it!
I have only read the first book in this series but I really did enjoy it so it would be nice to add this one to the collection. I highly recommend this series! There is a place that holds a renaissance fair but I’ve never been.
we have an annual Renaissance Fair but haven’t been to it in ages
I have been to The Michigan Renaissance Fair twice. AND LOVED it both times I went. My son is finally old enough this year to go and have fun, we can’t wait to go. ☺
No I haven’t but it sounds like a lot of fun!
I have been to both. Seeing a Shakespearean play under the stars at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio when I lived there was magical. I have also been to a Renaissance Fair and enjoyed it very much. I still haven’t made it to the huge Renaissance Fair in Shakopee MN yet, but I want to go. Attending is one of the highlights of late Summer/early Autumn in the Twin Cities and I haven’t made it yet.
Ohmigosh, that cake looks delicious!!!
no i havent.but they sound interesting
I have never been to a Renaissance fair. Sounds like it would be fun. Thanks for the chance.
I have never been but my mom asks me to go every year. Maybe this year we will make it to the Renaissance fair.
I’ve never been to either of those events.
No, I have not attended either as I have not heard of any being close to where I live
“Have you ever attended a Shakespearean event or a Renaissance Fair?” Yes, the renaissance fair outside Minneapolis many, many years ago! It was fun!
Shakespeare we read. And watch on stage. The closest I’ve come to attending an event was when the grade school had a mini Shakespearean event for the kids. I manned one of the booths. Painting characters on the kids faces in exchange for a halfpenny or a farthing. Whatever the kid had to offer. Love carrot cake. Look forward to giving this recipe a try. Thank you
I won a pair of tickets to a Renaissance fair from a radio station when I was in high school. It was about 2 hours away so they rented a bus for all the winners. I had so much fun! I won’t say how many years ago it was.. but I recently attended the same fair and it was even better. Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win!
Just the title makes me hungry!
I’ve only been to a Renaissance Fair once, but it was a lot of fun.
It has been years since I’ve been to a Renaissance Fair.
Not really into the Renaissance Fair stuff, but I can’t wait to try the carrot cake recipe.
There is a Renaissance Fair east of where I live that I have been to a few times but it was years ago. Once, before I had kids, I went with a group of theatre friends. We camped nearby and enjoyed trying to get one of our actor friends who was there for the summer to go out of character…no luck LOL Another time, when my kids were babies, we went and enjoyed it but the girls (twins) got pretty heavy to carry so we didn’t last long. I think we went a few more times as the kids were growing up but haven’t been in a long time. I should go again!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I looooooooooove carrot cake. I put crushed pineapple in my recipe. YUM YUM! thanks for the tip about fresh ginger.
I have not attended a Renissance or Shakespearen affair. My son was interested in the Renissance community when we lived in Europe. And he has attended some of the local faires held around Norman OK. I keep thinking I might make it to one (love reading about such in book settings), but haven’t to date.
We visit Mt. Hope Renaissance Faire in Pennsylvania every few years. Not bad wine from the estate, either!
Ren Fest here in my part of Texas,,yes m’am every year!
I not only have attended a Renaissance Fair I have worked one. Lots of fun and the food is delicious.
Marilyn [email protected]
I’ve been to a few Renaissance Faires, but I’ve never dressed up–I’d love to do that sometime. I liked taking my kids to them when they were young.
I have never attended either one of these events, I might like to someday if the opportunity arises.
What an intriguing read! Also, I never thought about using candied ginger in carrot cake. Yum! I have never been to a renaissance fair but did drive by one it looked fun!
I have attended a Renaissance Fair, The whole family had a great time. My favorite birthday cake is a carrot cake. Which we just ate because it’s my birthday. I would like to try this recipe. I think an autographed book would make an awesome birthday present.
I’ve never been to a Ren Faire or Shakespearean event. I have been to the Dickens Faire near San Francisco, CA. Best faire for the holidays!