Cookies & Bars Archives - Page 18 of 32

Mojito Cookies

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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!)

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:

Zest the lime, reserving the fruit for the icing. Wash and dry the mint and chop it into very small pieces.
Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the vanilla, egg, lime zest, and mint and mix well.
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.
On a sheet of parchment paper, shape the dough into a log, cover with the parchment, and refrigerate for two hours or more.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
Place a second sheet of parchment on a baking sheet. Slice chilled dough into 1/4-inch slices and transfer to prepared pan.
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:

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

If you want a stronger mint flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon mint extract to the dough.
Use the method of lightly spooning flour into a measuring cup and leveling.

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Lemon Ricotta Cookies

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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!)

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:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest until the lemon sugar is fragrant. Set mixture aside.
Cream together the butter and lemon sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 - 5 minutes.
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.
Gradually add the dry ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Scoop the dough, about 2 tablespoons for each cookie, onto prepared baking sheets.
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.
When cookies are completely cooled, drizzle with lemon glaze.

For the glaze:

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 with Fun Cookies

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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!)

Sprinkled with Fun Cookies

Ingredients

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

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until completely combined.
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.
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.
Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

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.
Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and slowly add in approximately half of the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated.
Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons half and half (or milk) and beat until smooth.
Beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar.
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.
Frost the completely cooled cookies and garnish with sprinkles. Allow the frosting to set before storing in an airtight container.

Tips

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

Notes

Makes 30 - 32 cookies

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Lucy’s Date-Stuffed Cookies

I’m excited to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour introducing ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE! This third book in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series, by Tina Kashian, is a delightful sun-drenched, seaside cozy mystery. The author brings small-town Jersey shore and boardwalk culture to life. The reader will feel like they are immersing themselves in the last hurrah of hot summer days with a sand sculpture contest, a wine and food festival featuring local restaurants, and carnival rides. You can smell the Coppertone, taste the cold ice cream, and hear the laughter, until murder brings the festive atmosphere to a screeching halt… I love the way Ms. Kashian uses words to paint vivid pictures of both her settings and her characters. She wraps the theme of family and friendship into the story with heartwarming results.

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Ms. Kashian brings protagonist, Lucy Berberian, and the supporting cast to a tightly-developed plot. Lucy would rather not get involved in murder, especially given her previous close calls with killers. Even though she knows the town is suffering financial distress by the interruption to their last summer tourist event, she’s determined to let the town’s detective (who dislikes Lucy and her family) solve the case. I loved seeing how the author weaves her tale, pulling Lucy into getting involved despite her reluctance. I find it adds to the creativity of the plot and avoids the “just because of curiosity” excuse. It also gives Lucy more of a human connection to the other characters in the book, allowing the reader to relate more. The exciting conclusion wraps the threads of the plot and subplot together for a satisfying and entertaining read!

Lucy is a first generation American with an Armenian, Greek, and Lebanese heritage. When her parents immigrated to the Jersey shore, they opened their Kebab Kitchen restaurant which Lucy now manages. While Lucy isn’t much of a cook, her mother is inspiring her to learn. Thankfully, Lucy isn’t the chef and instead, the mouthwatering food coming from the kitchen belongs to Lucy’s romantic interest, Azad. Fortunately for the reader, Ms. Kashian includes several recipes at the back of the book. They all sound fantastic! I chose to feature her recipe for Date Stuffed Cookies. The sweet, cinnamon-y filling is encased in flaky cookie dough, so it’s almost like a mini turnover. I loved the ease of working with the dough and my taste testers loved the flavor… even those who said they didn’t like dates! For a fun change from regular flat cookies, I’ll be making these to add elegance to my holiday cookie platters.

Amazon Synopsis

As summer comes to an end in her Jersey Shore town, Lucy Berberian continues to manage her family’s Mediterranean restaurant. The Kebab Kitchen also has a food tent at this year’s beach festival. But now a local businessman is under the boardwalk—dead by the sea …

With a sand castle contest and live music, Ocean Crest bids a bittersweet farewell to tourist season. Summer will return next year … but Archie Kincaid won’t. The full-of-himself store owner has been fatally shot, soon after a screaming match with Lucy’s best friend. Katie’s far from the only suspect, though, since Archie had some bitter rivals—as well as some relationships no one knew about. It’s up to Lucy to look into some seedy characters and solve the case before the wrong person gets skewered …

A special thanks to Tina Kashian for providing FOUR copies (winner’s choice of print or digital) of ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE for four lucky winners! Contest ends March 10, 2019 and print is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and the winner will be announced on this page as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Lucy's Date-Stuffed Cookies

Ingredients

For the Dough:

1/2 pound (1 cup) unsalted, softened butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sugar
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup warm water

For the Filling*

1-1/2 to 2 pounds pitted and chopped dates
1 tablespoon unsalted, softened butter
1 cup hot water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Egg Wash:

1 egg, slightly beaten

Instructions

For the Dough:

Use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix butter, oil and sugar. Add flour, baking powder, and water and mix on medium speed. The dough should be a soft, pliable consistency. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set it aside for thirty to forty-five minutes at room temperature.
For the Filling:
Combine dates, butter, hot water, sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl and mix on medium speed until well combined.

Putting it together:

Flour a work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll out dough until about 1/8-inch thick. Use a two-inch round cookie cutter or a water glass to cut out a circle shape. Place one rounded teaspoon of date filling in the center of each circle shape. Fold into a half-circle shape. Using a fork, gently press the edges together to seal.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray baking sheets with cooking spray (or line of parchment paper).
Place cookies on baking sheets. Brush each cookie with egg wash. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Cookies should be golden, not brown. Lift cookies with a spatula and place them on cooling racks.
Makes about two - three dozen cookies. Enjoy!

Cinnamon & Sugar's Note:

I found I only needed half of the filling for all of the dough. 1-1/2 pounds of dates (without pits) was too much.
I love the look of sparkling sugar on cookies, so sprinkled a bit on some of the cookies after I applied the egg wash.

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 26 – Laura`s Interests – REVIEW
February 26 – The Book Diva’s Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 26 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
February 27 – Babs Book Bistro – REVIEW
February 27 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
February 27 – My Reading Journeys – SPOTLIGHT
February 28 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
February 28 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
February 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
March 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
March 1 – Christa Reads and Writes – GUEST POST
March 2 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW
March 2 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – Brooke Blogs – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
March 3 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 4 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
March 4 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
March 4 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 5 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW
March 5 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
March 6 – I’m All About Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 6 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
March 7 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW
March 7 – The Cozy Pages – REVIEW
March 8 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
March 8 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
March 9 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW
March 9 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

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

Paleo Earl Grey Madeleines

RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER, the third book in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein, is another laugh out loud, can’t put down read! Ms. Klein continues to create and develop characters that are entertainingly funny with plenty of witty dialog to tickle the funny bone. Her use of clever similes brings each scene to life. Protagonist Poppy McAllister is smart yet a bit self-deprecating. I’ve appreciated her internal growth over the course of the series and this book is no exception. Poppy has learned to “manage” her feisty, always getting into trouble Aunt Ginny while she’s almost given up on trying to corral her always getting into trouble cat, Figaro. Between Aunt Ginny (who is a hoot) and Figaro, Ms. Klein has plenty of opportunities to insert even more humor.

I greatly enjoyed the theme of the book: a week-long cooking competition very similar to the Food Network program Chopped where the participating chefs must create a dish using strange mystery ingredients. I’ve always liked these types of television programs and reading about Poppy’s participation in such a competition was highly entertaining. The combination of cut-throat competitors, sabotaged ingredients plus kitchen equipment, and a murder victim create plenty of suspense and mystery for Poppy to solve. Are the crimes connected or are there multiple people out for revenge? Ms. Klein writes a tight plot that kept me turning pages late into the night until I finished the very last page.

Poppy is an accomplished pastry chef, specializing in paleo desserts and treats. I love that Ms. Klein provides several paleo recipes at the back of the book, all which sound mouthwatering! I was drawn to the Earl Gray Madeleines because 1) I love madeleines and 2) I love Earl Gray tea. The combination of flavors in this dessert is an elegant, delectable taste that is perfect for serving at an afternoon tea or champagne brunch!

Amazon Synopsis

Cape May, New Jersey, is the site of a big culinary competition—and the knives are out . . .

Poppy McAllister is happy about opening a Jersey Shore B&B—but working in a professional kitchen has always been her real dream. Now it’s coming true, at least briefly, as she teams up with her former fiancée, Tim—and his condescending partner, Gigi—during the high-profile Restaurant Week challenge. Poppy’s specialty is pastries, despite her devotion to a Paleo diet. But if anyone can make glorious gluten-free goodies, it’s Poppy.

Things get heated quickly—especially when some ingredients get switched and Tim’s accused of sabotage. Relatively harmless pranks soon escalate into real hazards, including an exploding deep fryer. And now one of the judges has died after taking a bite of Poppy’s cannoli—making her the chef suspect . . .

A special thanks to Libby Klein for providing a winner with an arc print copy of RESTAURANT WEEKS ARE MURDER. Contest ends Thursday, February 28, 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!)

Paleo Earl Grey Madeleines

Ingredients

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus additional for molds, room temperature*
4 tablespoons loose Earl Grey tea or tea from 4 teabags
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon coconut flour
1/2 cup arrowroot starch
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum
3 eggs
1/3 cup raw honey
1/4 cup butter, melted*
1/4 cup coconut milk
Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
Melt 5 tablespoons butter in saucepan over low heat. Mix in the tea. Let steep for 10 minutes.
Grease two madeleine pans with remaining butter.
In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, arrowroot starch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum. Set aside.
Whip the eggs until thick and lemon colored.
Strain the butter/tea mixture well - you want as much of the butter as possible. Throw away the tea.
Add the honey, melted butter, coconut milk, lemon zest, and strained butter/tea mixture into the beaten eggs, while mixing on low.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl often.
Use a cookie scoop to evenly divide the batter among the greased madeleine molds in the pans. You should fill the madeleine molds just about entirely. Do not bang the pan or pat down the batter.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Mine were done in 12 minutes.
Let cool in pans for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to completely cool.

Notes:

*You can always use coconut oil if you are sensitive to dairy. Refined coconut oil will not have a coconut flavor.
Optional: Sprinkle the madeleines with with powdered sugar, but be aware this is not a Paleo option.

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Pecan Cookies

I’m excited to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour introducing GOWN WITH THE WIND! This fourth book in the Wedding Planner Mysteries by Stephanie Blackmoore is the first I’ve read in the series and most certainly not the last. In fact, I’m anxious to start at the beginning and immerse myself in the adventures of wedding planner and B & B owner, Mallory Shepherd. Even though I haven’t read the previous books, I was able to jump in and feel like I knew the characters. Ms. Blackmoore offers enough backstory to make the reader comfortable but never detracts from the ongoing plot. First off the premise of GOWN WITH THE WIND sets up the story with plenty of opportunities for chaos: Mallory has been hired to plan her ex-fiance’s wedding and it is scheduled to be held at her own B & B! Add in a bridezilla, the groom’s mother who is also known as ‘Hurricane’ Helene, stolen valuable Gone With the Wind memorabilia, and an unsolved murder. The pace never lets up and kept me turning pages faster and faster as jaw dropping events filled the story.

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The bride-to-be’s grandmother is a Gone With the Wind enthusiast and the author effectively captures the spirit of the classic and weaves it into the story. There are many memorable characters and I especially liked Pickles, the Maine Coon Cat named as such because he loves to eat pickles. While he holds a minor role, he steals the scenes he is featured in. The unsolved murder mystery from the previous year is effectively woven into the story with the current murder of the bride-to-be’s nemesis. I admired the twists and turns throughout the course of the book and there were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing. The suspenseful reveal wrapped up the threads of the mysteries and provides a satisfying conclusion!

Between running the B & B and hosting weddings, Mallory and her sister, Rachel, provide plenty of mouthwatering dishes for their guests. In keeping with the bride’s Gone With the Wind theme, pecan cookies were baked to serve as treats for the wedding party. I was happy that the recipe was included at the back of the book (including others). However, with only five ingredients I was a little hesitant on how they would turn out… but then my husband (who doesn’t like nuts) took one bite and then consumed several more cookies and I knew I would be making this recipe again and again! These vegan crunchy cookies highlight the best of caramel flavors and buttery pecans and can be served plain or rolled in confectioners’ sugar for an extra burst of sweetness. As another tester said, “These cookies are like crunchy pecan pie!” Either way, friends and family will be happy to have you share these with them!

Amazon Synopsis

Professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard knows her job is challenging under any circumstances. But when the groom is your ex and someone invites murder, there may never be another tomorrow . . .

Mallory’s fine—really—handling the wedding arrangements for her ex, Keith. But his fiancée, Becca, has at the last minute decided to switch from a Japanese-cherry-blossom theme to a Gone with the Wind theme. She wants to honor her ailing grandmother, who owns an impressive collection of GWTW memorabilia—and who is fiercely at odds with the groom’s mother over the nuptial plans.

But among other complications, Becca gets into a fight with an old childhood rival over a replica Scarlett O’Hara wedding gown. She wins the dress—but soon becomes a murder suspect when the other woman is found dead in Becca’s swimming pool. And it’s up to Mallory to solve the mystery behind this unhappy occasion, before a different kind of civil war breaks out . . .

A special thanks to Stephanie Blackmoore for providing THREE print copies of GOWN WITH THE WIND for three lucky winners! Contest ends January 13, 2019 and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and the winner will be announced on this page as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Pecan Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

Grease a cookie sheet and preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Beat coconut oil, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Slowly add flour and pecans. Beat until smooth.
Roll spoon-size portions of dough into balls and slightly flatten.
Bake for 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack and cool completely.

Tip

Use the lightly spoon and level method for measuring the flour. If the dough appears too dry and crumbly to roll into balls, mix in additional melted coconut oil to the dough, 2 teaspoons at a time, until dough is cohesive.
You can roll the warm cookies in confectioners' sugar, or sift the confectioners' sugar over the tops to garnish. I found non-melting confectioners' sugar worked the best (available on the King Arthur Flour website).