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CHAI ANOTHER DAY, the fourth book in the Spice Shop Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz, is a welcomed and long anticipated addition to a delightful series! The author whets the appetite of the reader from the beginning, by providing a list of characters. I love referring back to the list as I read through the book, to get an added sense of the author’s descriptions and relationships between the characters. From there, the reader is treated to a variety of quotes which start each chapter off. I enjoyed trying to see how they tied in to the theme of the chapters. Ms. Budewitz creates a sensory-filled story that manages to bring the tastes, smells, sounds, and sights of Pike’s Place Market, located in Seattle, to life. I especially love protagonist, Pepper Reece, and her darling Spice Shop and her adorable dog, Arf. I would dearly love to spend time in her store, exploring the spices, perusing the recipes and books, and chatting with the staff members. The author truly brings the charming setting to life while including bits and pieces of interesting spice facts and spice pairings.

The reader is treated to a well-plotted mystery with a multitude of subplots woven in to provide growth for the characters alongside warm, human relationships. Pepper’s character is a caring, empathetic friend and employer. She’s also brave and is willing to step in and help her friends out in dangerous situations. I appreciated the author’s portrayal of racial discrimination and bullying. It’s a social issue that is often overlooked by fiction writers but is important nonetheless. Pepper uses her people skills to ask questions and piece together the clues to find justice for victims of all types of crimes, not just murder. Ms. Budewitz writes a tight mystery that provides enough suspects and clues to keep the reader guessing while providing characters and settings that invite the reader in and makes them want to stay.

Pepper is an accomplished cook and she often creates dishes to serve to her friends and family. She also has several friends, including a chef at her favorite restaurant, who all create delectable meals. And lastly, she allows her staff at the Spice Shop to develop recipes based around seasonally themed spice blends. The author includes a collection of these recipes at the back of the book and I was drooling over the descriptions as I read the many recipes. With chai being the central theme of the book, I was intrigued by both the base recipe for chai along with the many applications the author developed. The spices in chai are warming and remind me of cool autumn days and falling leaves. I was immediately drawn to Ms. Budewitz recipe for Pumpkin Chai Spiced Snickerdoodles because I think pumpkin, along with chai, is the epitome of autumn. And well… it’s cookies… my favorite treat to make. These are softer than your typical snickerdoodle, but so much more flavorful. It may seem like a lot of ingredients to start out, but the multiple spices measure out quickly and after that the cookies mix up swiftly and once baked, disappear into grateful mouths just as fast.

Amazon Synopsis

Seattle Spice Shop owner Pepper Reece probes murder while juggling a troubled employee, her mother’s house hunt, and a fisherman who’s set his hook for her.

As owner of the Spice Shop in Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market, Pepper Reece is always on the go. Between conjuring up new spice blends and serving iced spice tea to customers looking to beat the summer heat, she finally takes a break for a massage. But the Zen moment is shattered when she overhears an argument in her friend Aimee’s vintage home decor shop that ends in murder.

Wracked by guilt over her failure to intervene, Pepper investigates, only to discover a web of deadly connections that could ensnare a friend – and Pepper herself.

A special thanks to Leslie Budewitz for providing one winner with a print copy of CHAI ANOTHER DAY. Contest ends Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and limited to U.S. 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!) 

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Pumpkin Chai Spice Snickerdoodles

Using turbinado sugar instead of granulated white sugar gives the spice mix a great crunch. The pumpkin makes the cookie softer and moister than a typical snickerdoodle.

And admit it. You love saying "snickerdoodle."

Extra canned pumpkin can be frozen and used later; pour off any liquid that forms in your container. Taste-test your sugar-and-spice blend to make sure it's got enough sweetness and crunch for you.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough:

• 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chai Spice Sugar

• 1/3 cup turbinado sugar (substitute granulated sugar if you must)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees (F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and nutmeg.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla and beat until combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just fully combined.

4. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cardamom, and cloves.

5. Roll the dough into balls, about 1-inch across, and roll in the sugar mixture. Place on baking sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake about 10 minutes, until the cookies are starting to set around the edges and are a light golden in the center. They should still be slightly soft in the center.

6. Cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Tip

1. If dough is too sticky to roll, chill in refrigerator for 30 - 60 minutes.

Notes

Makes about 3-1/2 dozen.

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SECRET IN THYME is the second book in the Rita Calabrese Mystery series by Maureen Klovers but the first I’ve had a chance to read… and it certainly won’t be my last. I was delighted to find that the characters and setting were easy to get to know without knowing the backstory, so this second book can be read as a standalone. Ms. Klovers brings a strong Italian matriarchal protagonist to the pages via Rita Calabrese. I can’t help but cheer that a competent, vibrant woman of a “certain age” is the heroine of the story. Rita has raised her children, grows an enviable garden, is a cook extraordinaire, and manages to work as an investigative reporter for the Morris County Gazette. Even local law enforcement admire her intellect and investigative skills.

I also admired how the author captures the ebb and flow of Rita’s forty year marriage to Sal. It’s not all champagne and roses especially when Rita’s former flame comes to town, flouting his huge success as a notable historian and author. It causes Rita and Sal to take stock of their lives and their marriage to remember and find what’s important. This brings an emotional element to the story, especially as Rita struggles with her son’s impending nuptials to a woman she doesn’t care for. Ms. Klovers has created memorable characters, each with distinct personalities, and each fitting into the story perfectly. She also weaves in snippets of Italian phrases, helping the reader feel the flavor of that nationality. The author does an admirable job of making the meaning of those phrases quite clear without giving a literal translation.

The murder mystery is set against the backdrop of Acorn Hollow’s three hundred year founding celebration. When the body of a man missing for fifty years is found in the town’s time capsule (which was actually a coffin that the funeral home couldn’t sell) Rita starts asking questions, looking for news to impress her young newspaper editor. Little does she know that she will have to peel back decades of secrets and lies to find the truth. There were suspects galore and instead of trying to guess, I relaxed while I read and let the story unfold. The twists and turns along with the final reveal left me stunned. All I can say is kudos to Ms. Klovers for thinking up such a creative scenario and writing it in such a believable manner. I’m all set to catch up on the first book and look forward to reading future installments in this entertaining cozy mystery series!

Rita is quite the accomplished cook and baker. Not only does she provide mouthwatering meals for her family, she also bakes treats to tempt her interviewees to spill their secrets. One of her favorite tempting recipes is Chocolate Peanut Butter Biscotti and although Rita might share a lot with her friends, she also manages to eat several pieces herself. It’s too good to pass up. A super crunchy, twice baked cookie that is made to dip in coffee, tea, milk, or dessert wine. The addition of the layer of chocolate makes it impossible to resist. I loved that it makes enough to generously share and it can easily be made ahead of time and stored until ready to gift or served to friends who drop in for coffee and gossip.

Amazon Synopsis

Rita Calabrese thought she had mastered her second act. Long acknowledged as Acorn Hollow’s best cook and most lovable (or, as a few ignorant souls might say say, overbearing) Italian-American matriarch, she has more recently become its most celebrated journalist and sleuth too.

But on the eve of Rita’s fortieth wedding anniversary—and the town’s tercentenary—the sudden arrival of two very different men threatens Rita’s comfortable existence. First, her husband’s shady cousin shows up on their doorstep. Then, Rita’s old high school beau suddenly returns after a fifty-year absence, and Rita is assigned to interview him. Stefano’s a successful historian now and he’s still bellissimo—but he’s also hiding something.

When the town’s time capsule is flung open to reveal a toothless skeleton, Rita hopes that solving this cold case will be just the diversion she needs. But if identifying the victim proves difficult, managing the men in her life becomes nearly impossible. A cagey ex-flame and boorish, cigar-smoking houseguest are enough to deal with, but it’s another thing entirely when her husband, normally so skeptical of Rita’s nose for crime, begins insisting his recently deceased grappa-swilling, red-meat-loving septuagenarian friends did not die of heart attacks, but were murdered. Only one thing’s certain—if she can survive it, this will be an anniversary to remember. 

A special thanks to Maureen Klovers for providing a winner with their choice of either print or an e-book copy of A SECRET IN THYME. Contest ends Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and print is limited to U.S. 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!) 

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Biscotti

Biscotti was the Roman Empire’s version of hard tack—its legions marched to battle with bellies full of biscotti—which is proof positive that Italians do everything better! In modern-day Italy, they are generally referred to as “cantucci”— “biscotti” is a broader, more generic term for a hard cookie or bread.

As the name suggests, biscotti are twice-cooked (“Bis” meant “twice” in latin, and “cotto”—the singular of “cotti”—means “cooked” in modern Italian), and this recipe requires you to do just that. The upside is that you end up with a wonderfully crunchy cookie to dip in your cappuccino or dessert wine, and they will last far longer than your typical chewy American cookie.

Peanut butter and chocolate are not particularly authentic flavorings, but this is one of my favorite recipes and--judging by all of the information I’ve extracted from neighbors I’ve plied with these biscotti—one of Acorn Hollow’s favorite recipes too!

Ingredients

• 2-3/4 cups flour
• 1-3/4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 cups dark chocolate chips, divided

Instructions

1. Combine eggs, peanut butter, and water in a large bowl. In another bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients, stirring to fully incorporate. Then stir in one cup of chocolate chips.
2. Line cookie sheet with buttered parchment paper. Divide dough, which should be sticky and relatively dry for cookie dough, into two halves. Form each half into a log, approximately three inches in width and one-half inch in height, on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with back of spoon.

3. Bake logs at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Then remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes. Turn down oven temperature to 300 degrees. Slice logs on the bias (diagonally) into 3/4 inch thick slices. Then arrange slices, cut side up, on the cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip sliced biscotti so that the other side gets toasted and bake another 10 minutes at 300 degrees.

4. Let biscotti cool on a wire rack. Once biscotti have cooled somewhat, melt 3 cups of chocolate chips in a double boiler (or microwave according to package directions), stirring constantly. Then dredge one side of each biscotti in the melted chocolate (or drizzle over twice-baked cookie) and return to the wire rack to dry. Let harden overnight.

Tip

1. Spritz your hands with non-stick cooking spray before forming dough into logs.

2. I used mini chocolate chips in the dough and regular chips for dipping.

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SOUTHERN SASS AND KILLER CRAVINGS is the first book in the brand new Marygene Brown Mystery series by Kate Young. I enjoyed being introduced to the protagonist, Marygene, and her family, along with spending time with them at The Peach Diner in Peach Cove Island. The author captures the southernisms and Georgia setting realistically and had me hearing, smelling, and thinking I was right there, visiting Peach Cove. This new cozy mystery is a bit different than most cozies in that the author tackles the difficult subject of domestic abuse by making Marygene a survivor. She handles the portrayal with great sensitivity without detracting from the overall mystery. Ms. Young effectively shows how Marygene grows and develops while dealing with the aftermath. Despite the subject matter and the murder of the town’s lothario, there is plenty of humor provided through the ghost of Marygene’s mother showing up to make amends. Marygene’s best friend, Betsy, also brings a lightheartedness, which makes me appreciate the care the author has taken to develop her protagonist and the supporting characters.

When Marygene’s sister, Jena Lynn, is accused of murder by poisoning one of their diner’s customers, the family must pull together to clear her name. I enjoyed that despite the status of being a half-sibling to both her brother and sister, Marygene jumps in with complete support. Marygene is also finding her way with her biological father, Eddie, whom she has been on the outs for a long time. As sheriff, Eddie doesn’t want his daughter to get involved, especially when danger seems to be moving in. It was heartwarming to see that despite the danger, Marygene does all she can to show her love by investigating. As she starts asking questions, it becomes clear that many people had reasons to hate the man. There were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing and the exciting conclusion, which includes Marygene’s mama, was an edge-of-your-seat read!

As owners of The Peach Diner, Marygene and her sister bake and serve mouthwatering dishes. Ms. Young provides several recipes at the back of the book, and they all sound delicious. I tried her recipe for Marygene’s Berry Crumb Bars and oh my goodness, they were oh so yummy! An easy to make dough serves as both the crust and crumb topping, while a generous amount of juicy berries provide a jammy filling. The addition of a bit of lemon juice, zest, and cardamom gives the dessert a boost in flavor. My test tasters all gave this two thumbs up as they went back for seconds! 

Amazon Synopsis

Life has always been sweet on Georgia’s Peach Cove Island, but a case of murder has Marygene Brown down in the pits . . .
 
For generations, the women of the Brown family on Peach Cove Island have been known for their Southern sass and sweet homemade desserts at their beloved Peach Diner. Since their mother’s passing two years ago, Marygene has been stuck in Atlanta while her sister Jena Lynn has been running the family business. Now Marygene has left her husband and returned to her hometown, where she can almost feel Mama’s presence.
 
But all is not peachy back home. Marygene has barely tied on an apron when a diner regular drops dead at the counter. When it turns out the old man’s been poisoned, Jena Lynn is led away in handcuffs and the family eatery is closed. Now, to save her sister and the diner, Marygene must find the real killer. With some startling assistance from her Mama’s spirit, Marygene will be serving up a special order of just desserts . . .

The author is hosting her own giveaway:

A PRE-ORDER CONTEST with fabulous prizes! A Coach Bag with matching wristlet and $120 in gift cards plus autographed copies of the book!

Click on the link to visit the contest site:

– https://www.kateyoungbooks.com/pre-order-contest.html

* Grand Prize Winner receives a gorgeous Coach Avenue Tote and Coach wristlet (value $450) and a $100 gift card to either Amazon or B&N.

​​* 2 Runners up will receive a $10 gift card to either Amazon or B&N and an autographed paperback copy of  Southern Sass and Killer Cravings.

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Marygene’s Berry Crumb Bars

Ingredients

For the dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and diced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

For the Filling

• 5 cups berries (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9 × 13 inch baking pan.

2. In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter until it resembles cornmeal. Then add the egg and lemon zest. The dough will be crumbly. Pat half of the dough into the prepared pan. Place the pan and the remainder of the dough in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

3. In a bowl, mix gently together berries, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla extract. In a large Ziploc bag or bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. Pour over the berries and fold gently.
4. Spread the berry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough over the top.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Refrigerate leftovers.

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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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A DEADLY FEAST, the ninth book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series by Lucy Burdette, is like a tropical holiday vacation without getting on an airplane during the hectic Thanksgiving season. The author provides an amazing assortment of delectable dishes, a gathering of family, entertainment, a wedding, and …murder, all beneath the sunny skies of Key West, Florida. Protagonist Hayley Snow is preparing for her nuptials to Detective Nathan Bransford. Most brides would not be joining a seafood tour group in order to write one more article for her employer the week of Thanksgiving. And definitely not mere days before her wedding on top of trying to get her houseboat home remodeled so she and her groom have a place to live. But, Hayley is a hard worker and dedicated to her job and joins the group. Besides that, her groom is on a special case so Hayley isn’t able to spend time with him and wants her job to keep her mind off of her worries for his safety. I have so enjoyed watching Hayley’s journey and personal growth throughout the series and A DEADLY FEAST is my favorite of the bunch. While it can be read as a standalone, I highly suggest starting at the beginning in order to enjoy the character development that occurs, as in real life, with Hayley alongside her family and friends.

When a death occurs at the end of Hayley’s seafood walking tour, her natural investigative curiosity is intrigued. When one of the chefs on the tour asks Hayley to look into the death, worried someone might have deliberately killed the woman to sabotage her restaurant, she can’t help but get involved. Except her groom has asked her to stay out of any dangerous situations because there’s some bad stuff happening in town. I admire Ms. Burdette for how she creatively manages to keep Hayley on the fine line of honoring her groom’s concern while at the same time finding out information. In past books, Hayley has put herself in danger to find the truth, but she’s learned to using her intellect with less risk. Despite that, the author manages to put plenty of excitement into the story and provide enough suspects to keep the plot moving. There was a unique twist that I didn’t see coming and the heartwarming conclusion makes me want to book a flight for Key West immediately!

A DEADLY FEAST is a drool-worthy book and Ms. Burdette provides the reader with recipes at the back of the book to make those drools a reality. Key West screams of mojitos so I was drawn to trying the Mojito Cookies. These (almost) shortbread-style cookies incorporate fresh mint and fresh limes, while a sweet, lime-infused icing is the proverbial “cherry on top”. I loved the light green color of the cookies and the refreshing flavor is perfect for warm summer days!

Amazon Synopsis

Key West food critic Hayley Snow scents-es something fishy when a customer falls stone-crab cold dead on a seafood tasting tour.

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and Key West food critic Hayley Snow has just one more assignment to put to bed for Key Zest magazine before she gets to celebrate with her family and her police officer fiancé, Nathan Bransford. Then, just days later, wedding bells will ring—if death doesn’t toll first.

The sweet potatoes and stuffing will have to wait when Hayley picks up a distraught phone call from her friend, Analise Smith. On the last stop of a seafood tasting tour run by Analise, one of the customers collapsed—dead. With the police on the verge of shutting down the tour—and ruining Analise’s business—Hayley can hardly refuse her friend’s entreaties to investigate.

As if wedding jitters and family strife weren’t enough for Hayley to worry about, there’s crusty pastry chef Martha Hubbard, whose key lime pie may have been the murder weapon—but did she poison her own pie or was she framed? As the hours to Turkey Day tick away, the pressure cooker is on for Hayley to serve up the culprit on a silver platter in A Deadly Feast, national bestselling author Lucy Burdette’s taste-tempting ninth Key West Food Critic mystery.

A special thanks to Lucy Burdette for providing a winner with a hardcover copy of A DEADLY FEAST. Contest ends Monday, May 21, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. 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!) 

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Mojito Cookies

These cookies are a lovely pale green and would be excellent as a spring dessert or as part of a Christmas cookie platter. You can make the icing or not, as you prefer. But Hayley's tasters loved the frosting with its subtle rum flavoring!

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 1-1/2 teaspoons lime zest (from 1 lime)
• 1 bunch fresh mint, enough for one tablespoons chopped (or more to taste)
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (low-sodium works fine)
• Pinch salt

For the rum lime glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon light rum (I used silver rum to keep the glaze white)

Instructions

For the cookies:

1. Zest the lime, reserving the fruit for the icing. Wash and dry the mint and chop it into very small pieces.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the vanilla, egg, lime zest, and mint and mix well.

3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then add this to the butter/sugar mixture and mix on low speed only until combined.

4. On a sheet of parchment paper, shape the dough into a log, cover with the parchment, and refrigerate for two hours or more.

5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).

6. Place a second sheet of parchment on a baking sheet. Slice chilled dough into 1/4-inch slices and transfer to prepared pan.

7. Bake 10 - 12 minutes, or until bottoms and edges are a light golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the rum lime glaze:

1. Mix the powdered sugar with the lime juice and rum. Beat until smooth. Ice the cookies once they are cool. 

2. You can adjust the amounts of lime versus rum to please your palate. And add more sugar if it seems too runny. 

Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes:

1. If you want a stronger mint flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon mint extract to the dough.

2. Use the method of lightly spooning flour into a measuring cup and leveling.

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THE HIDDEN CORPSE is the second book in the Food Blogger Mystery series by Debra Sennefelder. I love protagonist, Hope Early, and her blog, Hope at Home, and the way the author includes a peek into Hope’s recipe development and food photography sessions. It adds a layer of authenticity to the story. Ms. Sennefelder weaves together a tight plot that includes arson, a missing wife, a double murder, and small-town corruption. She also brings to light the heartbreaking dilemma that the elderly often face: memory decline and potential loss of independence. It adds an emotional element that is sometimes missing from mysteries. There were enough clues sprinkled throughout Hope’s sleuthing, but I still couldn’t guess who the murderer was.

Even though this is the second book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone. There’s just enough backstory included so the reader feels like they have an understanding of the characters. I felt that the author has gained experience since her first release and it shows in the way the plot of THE HIDDEN CORPSE flows at an even pace. It pulled me in and kept me reading to find out what happens next. With a satisfying, nail-biting, reveal that had me on the edge of my seat, I was grateful the author ended the book with a heartwarming scene.

Hope is frequently trying out new recipes for her food blog along with baking cookies to sweeten up suspects. Ms. Sennefelder has included several recipes at the back of the book and they all sound scrumptious! When my granddaughter’s lemon tree produced a bumper crop of citrus earlier this year, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make the author’s Ricotta Lemon Cookies. These lemony, cake-like cookies are super moist, thanks to the ricotta cheese and the icing brings an extra bite of tart and sweet flavor to the treat. These cookies are like eating a bite of sunshine and summer!

Amazon Synopsis

Former reality TV baking show contestant and recent divorcée Hope Early is trying to find her recipe for success as a food blogger—but murder keeps getting in the mix . . .
 
When Hope’s elderly neighbor perishes in a home fire, she can’t help but feel somewhat responsible. Only the day before, Peggy Olson had called her over, having burned a pot on the stove while she was sleeping and filling the house with smoke. In fact, she couldn’t even remember cooking. Clearly, it was dangerous for the woman to live alone.
 
But it turns out she wasn’t alone. When a second body is discovered in the basement of the burned house, suddenly what appeared to be a tragic accident is beginning to look like premeditated murder. As rumors spread like wildfire, Hope is determined to sort out the facts and smoke out a killer, but she might be jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire . . . 

A special thanks to Debra Sennefelder for providing a winner with a print copy of THE HIDDEN CORPSE. Contest ends Sunday, March 31, 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!) 

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Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Posted by Hope Early: I'm in love with the brightness lemons bring to any dish but when you make it a central part of a cookie and add in a sweet and tangy glaze you've baked an irresistible cookie that is delightful year-round. 

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 lemons, zested
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed

For the glaze:

• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 lemon, zested

Instructions

For the cookies:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).

2. Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

3. In a medium bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest until the lemon sugar is fragrant. Set mixture aside.

4. Cream together the butter and lemon sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 - 5 minutes. 

5. Reduce the speed of the mixer and add in the eggs, one at a time until fully incorporated. Add in the ricotta cheese and lemon juice and mix until well combined.

6. Gradually add the dry ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

7. Scoop the dough, about 2 tablespoons for each cookie, onto prepared baking sheets.

8. Bake for 13 - 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from oven and leave on baking sheet just long enough for cookies to set up before moving to cooling rack. 

9. When cookies are completely cooled, drizzle with lemon glaze.

For the glaze:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk until smooth. Dip the top of each cookie into the glaze and then place the cookies on rack or wax paper. Glaze will harden. 

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SPRINKLED IN MALICE, the seventh book in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns captured my attention from the very first page with its endearing introduction to protagonist Sally Muccio Donovan. We also meet her best friend, sidekick, and baker all rolled into one feisty woman: Josie. I was lulled into a sense of well-being, reading with a smile on my face, enjoying the fun Sally is planning to celebrate her husband’s birthday when wham… the action starts and it was an edge of your seat read from then on out. Ms. Bruns has written a well-plotted mystery that brings the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions. There are plenty of suspects that kept me guessing and the subplots add to the layers of entertainment. The conclusion and wrap up of the story left me cheering and made SPRINKLED IN MALICE one of my new favorites in this series so far.

I also greatly enjoy how the author expertly inserts just enough humor to lighten the mood at the right times using Sally’s parents and grandmother. In particular her father, Domenic Muccio, brings outrageous shenanigans to the page. His “Father of Death” blog and his new book covering the subject of death, had me laughing out loud. Sally’s Grandma Rosa is adorable as she manages to mix up cliché sayings with cute results. I never knew there were so many clichés out there, but Ms. Bruns provides ample examples over the course of this series.

Sally’s bakery sells mouthwatering cookies to the community. While Josie is the full-time baker, Sally is trying to learn and increase her baking skills by starting out with some easy to make recipes. I was delighted when Catherine asked if I’d like to provide a recipe for her book and I loved the theme of sprinkles… and knew my granddaughters would love any cookies that utilized lots of sprinkles too. While I bake all kinds of cookies, sometimes it’s nice to have a basic, mix up in minutes, type of recipe so I came up with Sprinkled with Fun Cookies which start with a cake mix. These cake-like cookies take mere minutes to scoop onto a baking sheet and the grandkids and their parents alike, loved the taste. I’ve made these several times, swapping out the colors of the sprinkles, to fit whatever holiday theme I need to serve them at, making them versatile year round.

Amazon Synopsis

Spring has officially arrived, and while the weather outside may still be frightful, Sally Muccio is feeling especially delightful as she prepares a family dinner in honor of her husband’s birthday. Sal’s determined to make it an unforgettable night for Mike and even includes homemade fortune cookies like the ones her bakery serves, with messages personalized for each guest.

The evening is memorable, but not as Sal had hoped, when Mike and a friend find themselves in the middle of an armed robbery…and only one will make it out alive. It’s just the beginning of more grief for Sal, who soon discovers the robbery is related to a scheme that spells financial ruin for her family. Add in her morbid father’s book signing at the bakery complete with coffin shaped cookies, a sister who won’t stop eating them, and an accidental gig at a local strip club, and Sal once again finds herself in deep dough. Only this time, there may not be a way out…

A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing a winner with their choice of print or an e-book copy of SPRINKLED IN MALICE. Contest ends Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST. Print 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!) 

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Sprinkled with Fun Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1 box Funfetti cake mix (15.25 oz.)
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting*

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (optional, but helps develop crust on frosting)
• Pinch of salt
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 - 3 tablespoons half and half or milk

Garnish

• 1/4 cup sprinkles

Instructions

Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

2. Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until completely combined.

3. Scoop cookie dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheets and lightly flatten the dough balls with either your hands or a spatula.

4. Bake, one pan at a time, for 9 - 11 minutes. The tops of the cookies should start to crack a bit but the centers should remain soft.

5. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

1. In the bowl of a standing mixer, whip the butter, vegetable shortening (if using) and a pinch of salt until creamy, about 2 minutes on medium speed.

2. Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and slowly add in approximately half of the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated. 

3. Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons half and half (or milk) and beat until smooth.

4. Beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar.

5. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes. If frosting is too stiff, slowly add additional half and half until desired consistency is reached.
   

6. Frost the completely cooled cookies and garnish with sprinkles. Allow the frosting to set before storing in an airtight container. 

Tips

1. For seasonal-themed Sprinkled with Fun cookies, substitute 15.25 ounces white or yellow cake mix for the Funfetti mix. Gently stir in 1/3 - 1/2 cup seasonal-colored sprinkles to the batter AFTER all the cookie ingredients have been mixed together. Bake according to directions above. 

2. *Feel free to use your favorite pre-made canned frosting.

Notes

Makes 30 - 32 cookies

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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 with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.