Category Archives: Cookies & Bars

Jinx’s Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles

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This past November I had the opportunity to attend a Kensington Cozy Con and meet several “new to me” authors. I was intrigued when I heard the tagline premise of one series “Golden Girls meets Jersey Shore” so I made a point to speak with the author, J.D. Griffo. Much to my pleasure not only was his book, MURDER ON MEMORY LAKE, a fun read but it also contained several recipes. While there are three books in the series so far, I opted to start with the first book. I loved that the co-protagonist, Alberta Scaglione, is a grandmother who joins forces with her reporter granddaughter, Jinx. It gives a nice range of points of view of the crime from the two age perspectives, although once Alberta got involved, she didn’t let her age slow her down. Rounding out the core cast of characters is Alberta’s ex-nun sister, and her almost ex-sister-in-law who they all like better than their own brother. Lots of Italian phrases fly between the women and each chapter starts with an Italian saying, which flavors the book. For the most part, the phrases are translated or given in context so the reader can figure it out.

There are lots of zany antics as the four women team up to find out who murdered Alberta’s high school nemesis, who was found floating in the lake in front of Alberta’s home. As they start asking questions and uncovering information, they begin to call themselves the Ferrara Family Detective Agency. I liked how they divided up the work between themselves and shared the responsibilities. As the suspect list grows, so does Jinx’s desire to solve the case and prove that she’s a capable investigative reporter instead of turning over their findings to the local police. There were a couple situations that needed a suspension of belief but I read for entertainment and escape, which this book fully delivered. The suspenseful ending wrapped the threads of the story together in one satisfying read. Mr. Griffo has set the stage with his characters to fully entertain in future books!

Alberta is quite an accomplished Italian cook and provides many delicious meals. Jinx, on the other hand, decides she needs to meddle with the recipes and make them gluten-free and dairy-free, with often not such great results, adding to some humor as she tries to feed her aunts. The author has included several recipes at the back of the book and while Jinx may have failed with several of her attempts, she excelled at creating gluten-free and dairy-free Snickerdoodles. Since I have to eat gluten-free and my husband has to eat dairy-free, I decided I had to try Jinx’s Snickerdoodles. Oh my goodness… they were so yummy and most of the people I shared with never guessed they were both gluten-free and dairy-free! The cinnamon had just the right amount of spiciness to add warmth to the soft “buttery” cookie base, while the burst of sugar on the outsides of the cookie melted in my mouth. This will be a recipe I reach for again and again whether or not my recipients have special dietary considerations.

 

Both gluten-free and dairy-free, Jinx's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles has just the right amount of cinnamon to add warmth to the soft “buttery” cookie base, while the burst of sugar on the outsides of the cookie melts in your mouth. Recipe shared with permission granted by J.D. Griffo, author of MURDER ON MEMORY LAKE.

 

Amazon Synopsis

For Alberta Scaglione, her golden years are turning out much more differently than she expected—and much more deadly . . .
 
Alberta Scaglione’ s spinster aunt had some secrets—like the fortune she squirreled away and a secret lake house in Tranquility, New Jersey. More surprising: she’s left it all to Alberta. Alberta, a widow, is no spring chicken and she’s gotten used to disappointment. So having a beautiful view, surrounded by hydrangeas, honeysuckle, and her cat, Lola, sounds blissful after years of yelling and bickering and cooking countless lasagnas.

But Tranquility isn’t as peaceful as it sounds. There’s a body in the water—and it belongs to Alberta’s childhood nemesis. Alberta suspects foul play and when Alberta’s estranged granddaughter, an aspiring crime reporter, shows up, it only makes sense for them to team up and investigate.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m happy to offer one winner an autographed copy of MURDER ON MEMORY LAKE! Contest ends Sunday, February 2, 2020 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

Both gluten-free and dairy-free, Jinx's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles has just the right amount of cinnamon to add warmth to the soft “buttery” cookie base, while the burst of sugar on the outsides of the cookie melts in your mouth. Recipe shared with permission granted by J.D. Griffo, author of MURDER ON MEMORY LAKE.

Print
Jinx's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles
Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature (I like Earth Balance vegan butter sticks, but feel free to experiment)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract (I found Simply Organic brand to be...simply the best)
  • 3 cups gluten-free flour (King Arthur or Krusteaz are my faves)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • A couple pinches of sea salt
For the topping:
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (F).

  2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

  3. Mix sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.

  4. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl and stir into the butter/sugar mixture.

  5. In a separate small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon.

  6. Scoop out the dough into large balls and roll them in the cinnamon sugar.

  7. Place on the prepared baking sheets.

  8. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown - do not overcook.

  9. Enjoy!

Cinnamon & Sugar's Note

  1. If the dough seems too sticky to roll into balls, refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Both gluten-free and dairy-free, Jinx's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles has just the right amount of cinnamon to add warmth to the soft “buttery” cookie base, while the burst of sugar on the outsides of the cookie melts in your mouth. Recipe shared with permission granted by J.D. Griffo, author of MURDER ON MEMORY LAKE.

 

 

 

 

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Both gluten-free and dairy-free, Jinx's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles has just the right amount of cinnamon to add warmth to the soft “buttery” cookie base, while the burst of sugar on the outsides of the cookie melts in your mouth. Recipe shared with permission granted by J.D. Griffo, author of MURDER ON MEMORY LAKE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

 

Both gluten-free and dairy-free, Jinx's Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles has just the right amount of cinnamon to add warmth to the soft “buttery” cookie base, while the burst of sugar on the outsides of the cookie melts in your mouth. Recipe shared with permission granted by J.D. Griffo, author of MURDER ON MEMORY LAKE.

Olga’s Brownies

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SEALED OFF, the eighth book in the Maine Clambake Mystery series by Barbara Ross, is another entertaining installment in an enduring series. It’s been a treat watching the protagonist, Julia Snowden, develop as a well-rounded character from the beginning of the series. She’s smart, she’s determined, and she has a kind heart to help those in need around her. Julia’s family’s clambake is wrapping up the season on their private island and ramping up the remodel on the decrepit family historical mansion. One of their longtime employees is found murdered on the island when Julia and her brother-in-law arrive to prepare for one of the last clambakes of the season. Despite how a lot of people feel about her boyfriend’s ex-con brother and despite his physical fight with the victim, Julia agrees to find the truth and see justice done. I admire Julia’s loyalty to her boyfriend, Chris, and by extension, to his down-on-his-luck, brother. I also enjoy the close relationship the protagonist has with her family and the closeness they share by working together and socializing together frequently. It adds a heartwarming thread throughout the story.

In addition to the murder mystery, Ms. Ross consistently adds a non-fiction thread through each story and I’ll admit, I always find them intriguing. It’s obvious she invests a lot of time researching so that the end result is believable and fits seamlessly into the tale. (Be sure to read the acknowledgements notating her research. This one is quite charming!) She also touches on social issues in this story that can’t help but make the reader give pause to think about the larger picture. Again Ms. Ross weaves these portions into the story without slowing down the plot which keeps the reader’s interest in turning the pages until the very suspenseful ending.

Julia’s family is known for delicious food served at their clambake along with the food served at their family gatherings. It’s not uncommon for friends to join their gatherings and bring scrumptious dishes to share. The author kindly provides several recipes at the back of the book for the reader to drool over. I was drawn to the recipe for Olga’s Brownies. In the book, Julia’s elderly B & B owning friends bring these brownies to one of their dinners but in reality, the recipe is one from Barbara’s mother-in-law, who also ran a B & B in Maine. Rich and thick, almost like fudge, these scrumptious treats will satisfy the most avid chocoholic! I also loved that these whisk up quickly using a saucepan so cleanup is a breeze.

 

Rich and thick, almost like fudge, Olga's Brownies are scrumptious treats that will satisfy the most avid chocoholic! And cleanup is a breeze since the recipe uses only 1 saucepan to whisk the ingredients together. Recipe shared with permission granted by Barbara Ross, author of SEALED OFF.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Early October is “winding down” time in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, but there’s nothing relaxing about it for Julia Snowden. Between busloads of weekend leaf peepers at the Snowden Family Clambake and a gut renovation of the old mansion on Morrow Island, she’s keeping it all together with a potentially volatile skeleton crew—until one of them turns up dead under the firewood.

When the Russian demo team clearing out the mansion discovers a room that’s been sealed off for decades, Julia’s baffled as to its purpose and what secrets it might have held. Tensions are already simmering with the crew, but when one of the workers is found murdered, things come to a boil. With the discovery of another body—and a mysterious diary with Cyrillic text in the hidden room—the pressure’s on Julia to dig up a real killer fast. But she’ll have to sort through a pile of suspects, including ex-spouses, a spurned lover, and a recently released prisoner, to fish out one clammed-up killer.

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Barbara Ross for providing one winner with a print copy of SEALED OFF. Contest ends Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rich and thick, almost like fudge, Olga's Brownies are scrumptious treats that will satisfy the most avid chocoholic! And cleanup is a breeze since the recipe uses only 1 saucepan to whisk the ingredients together. Recipe shared with permission granted by Barbara Ross, author of SEALED OFF.

Print
Olga’s Brownies

My mother-in-law used to make these brownies for her young family and they are the first thing my husband recalls making by himself. Over the years the recipe fell out of use in the family and we thought it was lost. Bill searched the Internet to no avail. After his mom died, we found the recipe among her effects and Bill has shared it with his siblings. In Sealed Off, Vee makes the brownies and brings them to dinner at the Snowden's, which is entirely appropriate because, like Vee, my mother-in-law ran a B and B in Maine and was an excellent cook and baker.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup cocoa
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1-1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped nuts, optional
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil of your choice to grease the pan
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Remove from heat. Stir in cocoa until it mixes completely, then stir in sugar until it mixes completely.

  3. Add the 5 eggs one at a time, stirring each in before you add the next.

  4. Add the vanilla, flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring each one before adding the next. Stir in the nuts, if desired.

  5. Bake in a greased 13 x 9 pan for 30 to 35 minutes.

Rich and thick, almost like fudge, Olga's Brownies are scrumptious treats that will satisfy the most avid chocoholic! And cleanup is a breeze since the recipe uses only 1 saucepan to whisk the ingredients together. Recipe shared with permission granted by Barbara Ross, author of SEALED OFF.

 

 

 

 

 

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Rich and thick, almost like fudge, Olga's Brownies are scrumptious treats that will satisfy the most avid chocoholic! And cleanup is a breeze since the recipe uses only 1 saucepan to whisk the ingredients together. Recipe shared with permission granted by Barbara Ross, author of SEALED OFF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

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

 

Rich and thick, almost like fudge, Olga's Brownies are scrumptious treats that will satisfy the most avid chocoholic! And cleanup is a breeze since the recipe uses only 1 saucepan to whisk the ingredients together. Recipe shared with permission granted by Barbara Ross, author of SEALED OFF.

Orange Sablés

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SNOWFALL AT MOONGLOW, the fifth book in Moonglow Christmas series by Deborah Garner, is the coziest way to start off the holiday season. The author evokes a child-like, wide-eyed wonder to seeing newly fallen snow, the glee at building snowmen, the warmth of a mug of hot cocoa, and friends new and old gathered around the Christmas tree singing carols. This heartwarming novella captures the best of the season and the protagonist, Mist, is at the center of it all. Mist has an almost magical way about her without the book crossing into the paranormal. She senses what each guest to the Timberton Hotel needs to grow as individuals or find comfort from the world, and in her quiet, unassuming way goes about providing what is needed. Mist has a calming presence, both to the characters on the pages and to the reader. I so enjoy her interaction with her dear elderly friends, Betty and Clive, and am happy to see Mist’s relationship moving forward with Michael. I look forward to reading the Moonglow Christmas stories each and every holiday because they are such a sweet way to get into the spirit of the season!

And speaking of sweets, there are recipes at the back of the book… oh my, so many mouthwatering recipes! Timberton Hotel hosts an annual Cookie Exchange party and I love how Ms. Garner weaves in several of the recipes that her fans provide for the book into the story. I was delighted to provide my recipe for Orange Sablés for SNOWFALL AT MOONGLOW. Originating in France, Sablés are a shortbread-style cookie with a buttery, melt-in-your mouth texture. With the addition of colored sanding sugar, these refreshing orange cookies are perfect for any holiday cookie platter.

 

Originating in France, Orange Sablés are a shortbread-style cookie with a buttery, melt-in-your mouth texture. With the addition of colored sanding sugar, these refreshing orange cookies are perfect for any holiday.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Each holiday season, new and returning guests gather in the small town of Timberton, Montana, to celebrate Christmas at the Timberton Hotel. Resident artist and chef Mist’s unique way of offering exceptional cuisine, exquisite décor, and a touch of the unexpected, has a way of bringing visitors and local townsfolk together in heartfelt camaraderie.

As this year’s guests arrive with hopes of a white Christmas, unseasonably warm weather hints at a less-than-wintery wonderland. But whether the snow falls or not, one thing is certain: with Mist around, there’s bound to be a little magic. No one ever leaves Timberton without renewed hope for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Deborah Garner for providing one winner with their choice of either an e-book or print copy of SNOWFALL AT MOONGLOW. Print limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Monday, December 2, 2019 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

Originating in France, Orange Sablés are a shortbread-style cookie with a buttery, melt-in-your mouth texture. With the addition of colored sanding sugar, these refreshing orange cookies are perfect for any holiday.

Print
Orange Sablés

Originating in France, Sablés are a shortbread-style cookie with a buttery, melt-in-your mouth texture. With the addition of colored sanding sugar, these refreshing orange cookies are perfect for any holiday.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 cup colored sanding sugar
Instructions

  1. Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer set on medium speed, until creamy. Turn mixer to low and slowly add the confection sugar and beat until incorporated.

  2. Slowly add the cornstarch, flour, and salt to the sugar mixture, and beat just until combined.

  3. Add the orange zest, vanilla extract, and orange extract and mix on low until well combined.

  4. Divide the dough in half and roll each portion into logs, about 10-inches long.

  5. Spread the sanding sugar onto a flat plate and roll each log in the sugar, pressing to adhere it to the dough.

  6. Wrap each log in plastic and chill at least 8 hours or overnight.

  7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  8. Remove the plastic wrap from the dough logs, and slice into 1/4-inch slices. Place on prepared baking sheets at least an inch apart.

  9. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. You don't want these to brown, but pale golden on the bottom is fine.

  10. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

  1. If dough is too difficult to slice through after being refrigerated, allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften.

  2. Use different colored sanding sugars on each log for holiday celebrations. Such as red and green for Christmas; pink and red for Valentine's; red and blue for Independence Day; etc.

  3. To make ahead of time, once the dough has been wrapped tightly in plastic, you can freeze the logs in heavy-duty freezer ziplock bags for up to 2 months. Allow to defrost in the refrigerator overnight then proceed with slicing and baking as per instructions.

Originating in France, Orange Sablés are a shortbread-style cookie with a buttery, melt-in-your mouth texture. With the addition of colored sanding sugar, these refreshing orange cookies are perfect for any holiday.

 

 

 

 

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Originating in France, Orange Sablés are a shortbread-style cookie with a buttery, melt-in-your mouth texture. With the addition of colored sanding sugar, these refreshing orange cookies are perfect for any holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

 

 

If you love Christmas cookies as much as I do, you’ll want to check out this compilation of recipes from all five of the Moonglow Christmas books! Click on the link to pre-order your copy now: Sweet Treats

 

Click on book to visit Amazon

 

 

 

 

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

 

Originating in France, Orange Sablés are a shortbread-style cookie with a buttery, melt-in-your mouth texture. With the addition of colored sanding sugar, these refreshing orange cookies are perfect for any holiday.

Appie Oaters

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APPLE DIE, the first book in the Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery series by Chelsea Thomas (a husband and wife author duo!), is a fun, lighthearted cozy mystery that caught my attention with the very first paragraph. The protagonist, Chelsea, has suffered heartbreak when she’s left at the altar in the middle of her dream wedding and then cheated out of her interior designer company by her former fiancé. As the story progresses, Chelsea, with the help of her aunt, Miss May, finds strength and learns to overcome her heartbreak. Miss May and her best friend, Teenie, are quirky supporting characters to the protagonist, and lighten the scenes that they are in whether it’s socializing, bumping around in Miss May’s VW van, or finding a killer.

After moving back to Miss May’s apple orchard Chelsea helps revitalize their special events’ venue. She’s pulled into investigating the suspicious death of her cousin’s fiancé after finding his body in the orchard during the rehearsal dinner. She uncovers clues that a crime occurred along with several suspects despite the police ruling the death as an unfortunate accident. The clues are well sprinkled throughout the story and I’ll admit I did guess who the culprit is but didn’t know why. There were good twists that kept me turning pages and I appreciated that the authors wrote a complete mystery in a fairly short book without cutting corners. APPLE DIE is a great start to an entertaining cozy mystery series and I’m happy that there are several more books for me to catch up on!

Miss May is known for her amazing Appie Oater cookies that she serves to family, friends, and orchard visitors. While there aren’t any recipes at the back of the book, Ms. Thomas has provided the yummy cookie recipe for me to share on the blog. Buttery, caramelized apples are mixed into an oat cookie dough that is reminiscent of apple pie. Even though I accidentally added too many oats to the dough, the results were still fantastic. I had planned on remaking the cookies before this blog post but much to my husband’s chagrin, I ran out of time. Despite that, this was one recipe that he didn’t want me to share with other taste testers. Fresh out of the oven and served with a big glass of milk or a cup of tea, Apple Oaters are yummy enough for a snack or dessert and tempting enough to eat for breakfast.

 

Appie Oaters combine buttery, caramelized apples mixed into an oat cookie dough creating a treat that is reminiscent of apple pie. Perfect for snacks and even breakfast! Recipe shared with permission granted by Chelsea Thomas, author of APPLE DIE.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Dead bodies make heartbreak even harder.

After Chelsea is left at the altar, all she wants is tissues and a box of cookies.

A BIG box.

But it’s hard to wallow in self-pity when there’s a dead body on your family orchard.

If Chelsea’s going to help solve the mystery, she’ll need her confidence back.

Maybe Miss May can help. She knows everyone in town. And she’s still remembers a thing or two from her life as a big-city lawyer.

But what if the killer is someone the girls have known for life?

Will Chelsea and Miss May solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again? Or will the body count rise and ruin cookies for everyone?

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Chelsea Thomas for providing one winner with an e-book copy of APPLE DIE. Contest ends Sunday, November 24, 2019 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appie Oaters combine buttery, caramelized apples mixed into an oat cookie dough creating a treat that is reminiscent of apple pie. Perfect for snacks and even breakfast! Recipe shared with permission granted by Chelsea Thomas, author of APPLE DIE.

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Appie Oaters

Appie Oaters are the famous, giant “apple pie cookies” that Miss May bakes at the Thomas Family Fruit & Fir Farm. Appie Oaters are one of Miss May’s many specialties, and she often uses these enormous, delicious cookies to ply information from suspects in her cases. Chelsea Thomas loves these sweet treats, and they’re an irresistible treat for the cooler fall months and throughout the holiday season.

In our apple orchard books, Appie Oaters are a family recipe, presumably passed down for generations and perfected by Miss May. But in real life, Matt invented the cookies on the spot in Book 1. He had never tasted or seen anything like them, but real-life Chelsea decided she would reverse engineer them from Matt’s delectable description.

We first made these cookies for our Friendsgiving celebration in 2018. Our unsuspecting guests were the beta testers of the Appie Oaters recipe and they didn’t even know it.

Luckily, the cookies were a huge hit and we’ll definitely be making them for many holidays to come. Now, you can too. We wanted Appie Oaters to be warm and homey, so there are a few extra steps in making them, but they’re well worth the time and effort. Indulgent yet not overly rich, these cookies are a perfect balance of sweet and spicy and you won’t be able to just eat one!

First thing’s first, the key to this recipe is that you HAVE to caramelize the apples. This step requires an extra dish and a little more time, but it’s essential to the gooey texture and depth of flavor. The second crucial part of Appie Oaters is the applesauce. It adds a fruitiness and lightness to the cookies that’s exceptionally delicious. If you really want to go the extra mile, you can use homemade applesauce, but
store-bought works just fine. Make sure to get unsweetened so you can control the level of sweetness.


The last thing to note is that this recipe calls for coconut oil (personal preference) but you can easily substitute butter at a 1:1 ratio. Coconut oil has a nutty, warm profile that makes these cookies extra cozy, but if you only have butter on hand it works fine too.


Alright, without further ado, here is the recipe for APPIE OATERS, a perfect dessert for any holiday (or just a chilly weekend night when your sweet tooth is acting up).

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • A pinch or two of salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 apples, diced (you can use any variety - I prefer Fuji or Pink lady but you can also mix types or add in some Granny Smith for a tarter flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Juice of half lemon
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon + a pinch of cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup to 1 cup quick cook oats
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). (You can also make this dough a few hours or even a day or so in advance - they are better when the dough sits for a while).

  2. Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat, careful not to overheat.

  3. Mix the diced apple in a medium bowl with the maple syrup, pinch of cinnamon, and lemon juice. Set aside.

  4. Slowly whisk the brown sugar into the melted coconut oil. Continually stir for 3-5 minutes, letting the sugar melt into the oil.

  5. Add the diced apple mixture to the sugar and oil. Reduce heat to low and continue to caramelize while combining the rest of the ingredients (about 10 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently).

  6. Make applesauce mixture by combining applesauce with 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside.

  7. Turn off the heat on the skillet, and pour the coconut oil apple mixture into a bowl. Set in the fridge or freezer and let the mixture cool until the oil has slightly firmed.

  8. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda.

  9. Stir in the applesauce mixture.

  10. Once coconut oil has hardened slightly, add it to the flour/applesauce mixture and stir until it has formed a moist dough.

  11. Slowly add in the oats until the consistency of the dough thickens and is no longer runny. The amount of oats will vary based on the wetness of the other ingredients, so just eyeball this until the dough seems firm enough to roll into large balls.

  12. Form dough into balls. They should be a little larger than a generous-sized meatball, and there should be enough for about 10 cookies.

  13. Place the balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. You may need 2 cookie sheets to ensure that you have enough space between the cookies (at least an inch).

  14. Press the cookies down using a fork or your hand. They shouldn’t be completely flat.

  15. Cook 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven.

  16. Once the cookies are done, you can sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar, top with a drizzle of maple syrup, honey or caramel or a dollop of whipped cream, frost them with cream cheese icing, or just eat them plain! They’re delicious any which way.

Note:

  1. Makes about 10 large cookies.

 

Appie Oaters combine buttery, caramelized apples mixed into an oat cookie dough creating a treat that is reminiscent of apple pie. Perfect for snacks and even breakfast! Recipe shared with permission granted by Chelsea Thomas, author of APPLE DIE.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

Appie Oaters combine buttery, caramelized apples mixed into an oat cookie dough creating a treat that is reminiscent of apple pie. Perfect for snacks and even breakfast! Recipe shared with permission granted by Chelsea Thomas, author of APPLE DIE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

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

 

Appie Oaters combine buttery, caramelized apples mixed into an oat cookie dough creating a treat that is reminiscent of apple pie. Perfect for snacks and even breakfast! Recipe shared with permission granted by Chelsea Thomas, author of APPLE DIE.

Candy Cane Brownies

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GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH, the 8th book in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns captures the spirit and the flavors of the Christmas season. That is except for two carjacking Santas and Sally Donovan’s gingerbread men and her brand new cake server left at the scene of the town’s Casanova-want-a-be’s murder. Sally, owner of Sally’s Samples cookie bakery, is bursting at the seams with her own bun in the oven and Baby Donovan is not wanting to make an appearance. Besides worrying about the delay in delivery, Sally has her hands full with Christmas festivities and her sister’s wedding. But as usual, a creepy fortune cookie her own bakery made, forewarns her of imminent disaster and it doesn’t take long for mayhem to strike. Ms. Bruns takes the reader on a fast-paced caper with several laugh out loud moments (the parental units are the perfect pair to lighten the mood) along with heartwarming scenes that epitomize the holiday theme.

One of the many strengths in the Cookies & Chance series are the characters. The close knit Italian family that surrounds Sally through thick and thin makes me want to revisit them as each book is released and catch up on everything going on. Ms. Bruns does an admirable job of allowing each and every character to grow, to change, and to surprise the reader with every single story. The author also effectively builds suspense in both the murder mystery plot as well in Sally’s personal life. There were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing and plenty of twists to keep me turning pages until the very last page. An edge-of-your-seat reveal added to the holiday cheer and makes me eager to find out what’s in store for Sally and the gang with the next installment!

Sally’s Samples serves up delectable cookies along with their famed fortune cookies. As usual, Ms. Bruns includes a couple yummy recipes at the back of the book that are perfect for holiday baking. I was honored to be asked to include one of my own recipes for the book. I decided on Candy Cane Brownies. Chocolate and peppermint are a favorite flavor combination of mine (Thin Mints!) and the added crunch of crushed candy canes to adorn the tops of the frosted brownies adds a festive touch. Easy to make, this batch will serve a large group which makes it perfect to prepare for any holiday gathering while saving a few pieces for Santa.

 

Candy Cane Brownies combine the yummy flavors of chocolate and peppermint while the added crunch of crushed candy canes sprinkled on top of the frosted brownies adds a festive touch. Recipe shared with permission granted by Catherine Bruns, author of GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH.

 

Amazon Synopsis

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Unless you’re Sally Muccio.

The full-time baker and sometime sleuth is ready to burst into song. She and her husband are expecting a bundle of joy, her sister’s wedding is just around the corner, and it’s Christmas, her favorite time of year. But when Sal’s the victim of a carjacking by Santa himself and a forgotten item links her to a murder, she doesn’t feel like ho-ho-hoing anymore.

Damian Ruger was a drug user, womanizer and first-class jerk. And unfortunately for Sal, she once had a connection to him in high school. The dough really hits the fan when her bakery’s gingerbread cookies are found next to his dead body, and Sal’s cake server is used as a murder weapon. Someone is trying to frame the expectant mother, but why? Sal has no choice but to try to clear her name…before she and the baby are singing Christmas carols in prison!

 

 

 

A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing one winner with a print copy of GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH. Contest ends Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. 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!)

 

 

 

 

Candy Cane Brownies combine the yummy flavors of chocolate and peppermint while the added crunch of crushed candy canes sprinkled on top of the frosted brownies adds a festive touch. Recipe shared with permission granted by Catherine Bruns, author of GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH.

Print
Candy Cane Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
  • 1-1/2 cups butter, room temperature
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder (either natural or dutch cocoa will work here)
  • 5 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Frosting
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Garnish
  • Coarsely broken candy canes
Instructions
Brownies

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

  2. Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. 

  3. Beat in the cocoa powder until thoroughly incorporated and no lumps remain.

  4. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add salt and peppermint extract. Mix well.

  5. Gradually add in the flour and stir until completed incorporated.

  6. Line a jelly roll pan (15-1/2"x10-1/2"x1") with parchment paper. Spritz the parchment paper with non-stick cooking spray, then spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.

  7. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Rest pan on a wire rack until completely cool before proceeding with frosting.

Frosting

  1. Cream the butter then slowly add the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated completely.

  2. Add the peppermint extract. 

  3. Mix in 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream. Add additional cream, up to 1 tablespoon, until spreadable consistency is reached. Whip for an additional 3 minutes, until frosting is light and fluffy.

  4. Frost the brownies then cut into 2-inch squares. Garnish each square with bits of broken candy canes right before serving.

Candy Cane Brownies combine the yummy flavors of chocolate and peppermint while the added crunch of crushed candy canes sprinkled on top of the frosted brownies adds a festive touch. Recipe shared with permission granted by Catherine Bruns, author of GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH.

 

 

 

 

 

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Candy Cane Brownies combine the yummy flavors of chocolate and peppermint while the added crunch of crushed candy canes sprinkled on top of the frosted brownies adds a festive touch. Recipe shared with permission granted by Catherine Bruns, author of GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

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

 

Candy Cane Brownies combine the yummy flavors of chocolate and peppermint while the added crunch of crushed candy canes sprinkled on top of the frosted brownies adds a festive touch. Recipe shared with permission granted by Catherine Bruns, author of GINGER SNAPPED TO DEATH.

Chocolate Walnut Cookies

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THREE WIDOWS AND A CORPSE, the third book in the Food Blogger Mystery series by Debra Sennefelder is another delicious addition! I’ve enjoyed watching food blogger Hope Early’s character develop over the course of the series. In this newest book she’s been invited to contribute to a feature in Cooking Now! Magazine. As a blogger myself, I appreciate the research and detail Ms. Sennefelder provides into her character’s career which lends an air of authenticity to the read. Hope Early is a likeable and friendly person, unless she needs to question you to determine if you’re a viable murder suspect. I liked how the author had people slamming doors in her face and getting mad at her for asking questions since this gives a more realistic scenario of interaction between the characters. The Food Blogger Mystery series has plenty of delightful and not so nice characters. Hands down Hope’s dog, Bigelow, steals each scene he’s in. The author’s slow reveal of the true nature of both primary and secondary characters keeps them three-dimensional, adding layers of enjoyment to the read.

Ms. Sennefelder creates a whopper of a tale by adding in not one grieving widow, but three widows to the same victim. The tension between the three women, none who knew the others existed, added to the suspense and pool of suspects. While the victim was a vile man, Hope can’t help but get involved in finding justice after finding the body. Despite her Chief of Police boyfriend’s warning to stay out of the investigation, she can’t help but ask questions and piece together the puzzle. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing while the suspenseful reveal left me a little sad. Ms. Sennefelder proves to be able to draw the reader in and have them invest emotions in the characters, which is a sign of a great read.

In between questioning suspects and tracking down clues, Hope cooks up a storm and always has plenty of food on hand to share with friends and family. Ms. Sennefelder’s recipes at the back of the book all sound amazing and I’ll admit, I made more than one of them. But for this blog post, I’m sharing her recipe for Chocolate Walnut Cookies. These yummy bites are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, thanks to the melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts. With the combination of granulated and brown sugar, there’s an added depth of rich flavor. I found them to be sturdy enough to package up and share, so made a batch for my granddaughter’s cheer fundraising event. They received rave reviews and will find a place in my regular rotation of cookie recipes!

 

Chocolate Walnut Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, thanks to the melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Recipe shared with permission granted by Debra Sennefelder, author of Three Widows and a Corpse.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Food blogger Hope Early finds one item not on her scavenger hunt list—a dead husband . . .

Between developing her food blog, Hope at Home, and choosing low-cal recipes for a feature in Cooking Now! magazine, Hope has a full plate. Still, she’s never too busy to compete in a Jefferson, Connecticut, tradition—the town’s annual scavenger hunt.

But as she races with her team to check off the next item, Hope discovers a grisly surprise—the body of shady real estate developer Lionel Whitcomb, shot in a parking lot. His wife Elaine, who’s also in the hunt, gasps and nearly faints. But two other women on the scene cry out that their husband is dead.

It turns out this louse of a spouse was more than a little lax in legally divorcing his former wives. Did one of them put a bullet in the bigamist? Number one suspect and number three wife Elaine begs Hope to investigate. Now Hope is on a new kind of hunt—for a cold-hearted killer and triple widow-maker . . .

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Debra Sennefelder for providing one winner with a print copy of THREE WIDOWS AND A CORPSE. Contest ends Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Walnut Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, thanks to the melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Recipe shared with permission granted by Debra Sennefelder, author of Three Widows and a Corpse.

Print
Chocolate Walnut Cookies

Posted by Hope Early: Cookies are pure joy for me. I love baking them, I love sharing them, and I love eating them. These cookies combine chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts into a perfect little package. It's hard to stop at one, so don't even try!

Ingredients
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions

  1. Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a double boiler (or microwave according to package instructions), stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

  2. Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

  3. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy, then stir in egg and chocolate mixture, mixing until combined.

  4. Gradually stir in flour mixture, remaining chocolate chips, and walnuts. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

  5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

  6. Roll dough into balls, about 1-1/4-inch. Arrange them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake until set but still soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.

  7. Let rest on cookie sheet 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack to completely cool.

Notes

Yield: 32 cookies

Chocolate Walnut Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, thanks to the melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Recipe shared with permission granted by Debra Sennefelder, author of Three Widows and a Corpse.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pin to Pinterest:

 

Chocolate Walnut Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, thanks to the melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Recipe shared with permission granted by Debra Sennefelder, author of Three Widows and a Corpse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

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

 

Chocolate Walnut Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, thanks to the melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Recipe shared with permission granted by Debra Sennefelder, author of Three Widows and a Corpse.

 

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