Recipes Archives - Page 27 of 108

Smoky Steals the Bacon

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UP TO NO GOUDA, the first book in the brand-new Grilled Cheese Mystery series by Linda Reilly, is a scrumptious feast for the reader! Ms. Reilly is known for writing captivating cozy mysteries, and this hits the mark on all accounts. With a small-town setting in Vermont, a yummy grilled cheese shop, and a well-paced plot that balances mystery with friendships, I couldn’t put the book down. I’ve long appreciated that the author also creates kind, sweet characters, people you’d like to hang out with on a consistent basis. The protagonist, Carly Hale, is a delightful woman set on making a new life for herself and making her dreams become a reality after the death of her husband. Assisting her in her new grilled cheese eatery is her friend, Suzanne, and an older teen, Grant, who has his sights set on culinary school. I love the comradery of the trio and the care they take with each other.

It’s no wonder that when Suzanne is suspected of murdering Lyle, Carly’s ex-boyfriend, Carly and Grant jump in to clear her name. It doesn’t help matters that Lyle ended Carly’s lease and she has no choice but to close her restaurant and move out within thirty days. Ms. Reilly sets the murder up with strong motives for the suspects, and plenty of townspeople who disliked the victim. The plot was well-paced with some twists I didn’t see coming. I fell for the author’s misdirection several times and was taken by surprise at the suspenseful reveal. And best of all, you can always count on a heartwarming conclusion in Ms. Reilly’s books, making me eager for the chance to visit with Carly and her friends soon!

I’ve always enjoyed grilled cheese sandwiches but reading this book made me crave one! The author includes several grilled cheese sandwich recipes at the back of the book and they all sound fantastic. I couldn’t help but be drawn to her recipe for Smoky Steals the Bacon because, well, bacon! What I didn’t expect was to be smitten with the smoked gouda oozing between the slices of bread or the heavenly addition of grilling the bread on top of a layer of grated parmesan cheese. Oh. My. Word. This has become my all-time favorite sandwich and I find myself looking at the clock an hour or two after breakfast, wondering if it’s too early for lunch yet. …checks clock again… okay, it’s close enough to noon and it’s time to go grill up another sandwich or two!

Amazon Synopsis

Back in Balsam Dell to heal after the death of her husband, Carly Hale is finally pursuing her lifelong dream—opening Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery. After only five months, business is booming as Vermont vacationers and townspeople alike flock to lunch on her Party Havartis and other grilled cheese concoctions. All but Lyle Bagley, Carly’s one-time high school boyfriend and now town bully who just bought the building that houses her eatery and wants Carly out. After a muenster of a fight, Carly’s forced to put her nose to the rind and find a solution to keep her business afloat.

That is…until Lyle is discovered dead behind the dumpster of Carly’s shop, and one of her employees becomes the prime suspect. In order to save her eatery and prove her friend’s innocence, Carly must sleuth out the killer before she’s the one who gets grilled.

With a delightful cast of characters, an inventive amateur sleuth, and a whole host of cheesy hijinks, Up to No Gouda is the perfect cozy murder mystery to melt into.

A special thanks to Linda Reilly for providing a winner with a print copy of UP TO NO GOUDA. Contest ends February 3, 2022 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!)

Smoky Steals the Bacon

This simple recipe produces a grilled cheese that bacon lovers will add to their list of favorites!

Ingredients

Salted butter, softened
2 slices asiago bread
4 - 6 slices thin-sliced smoked gouda
3 - 4 slices crispy cooked bacon
Grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Butter one side of each slice of bread.
On the unbuttered side of one slice, stack half the gouda slices; add the crispy bacon slices and then the remaining gouda. Top with the remaining bread slice, butter side up.
Sprinkle a generous layer of grated parmesan cheese in a cast-iron pan or nonstick skillet.
Place the sandwich on top of the parmesan and grill over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
As you grill, press lightly with a spatula or grill press. Before flipping over to grill the remaining side, remove the sandwich from the pan and sprinkle another layer of parmesan cheese in the skillet. Place the ungrilled side of the sandwich down, on top of the parmesan, and then grill the other side for approximately 3 minutes. The outside should be golden and the cheese thoroughly melted.
Slice in half diagonally and serve with chips, pickles, tomato soup, or whatever else makes your taste buds sing!

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

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

It’s been a long wait for my author copies of FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER, but they finally arrived! Missy says we need to do some giveaways to celebrate, even though Christmas is over. Scroll through for the Rafflecopter to enter for a chance to win 1 of the 2 copies I’m giving away. Print is limited to U.S. residents only and all others will receive an ebook copy. Contest ends January 30, 2022.

What the book is about:

Set against the holiday cheer of twinkling lights, costumed carolers, and a festive line of extravagantly decorated boats participating in the annual Christmas boat parade in Newport Beach, California, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez finds that the grinch has crashed the party. Together with her sister Carrie, Emory is catering a delectable feast of holiday cupcakes and cookies aboard a luxury yacht for the new Mrs. Blair Villman and her guests.

Sparks fly when Carrie comes face-to-face with the hostess, who just happens to be Carrie’s high school frenemy, and old grievances are dredged up. Adding fuel to the fire, Blair’s stepson brings his mother, the former Mrs. Villman, to the party. Instead of celebrating holiday cheer, someone seems intent on channeling the Burgermeister Meisterburger and shutting down Blair’s party permanently. When Emory finds a body aboard the yacht, she needs to discover who iced the victim before the Scrooge ruins not only her livelihood but her freedom as well.

I’m also sharing one of the recipes I featured in FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. With several friends and a couple family members having special dietary needs, I created the recipe to make either traditionally, with regular flour and egg, or with noted substitutes to make it gluten-free and/or vegan. Either way, these muffins received high marks for flavor and a delicious moistness that satisfied breakfast hunger or snack cravings!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Traditional plus gluten-free and vegan versions)

With a few simple swaps, this recipe easily converts to allow people with food sensitivities the ability to enjoy this tasty breakfast or snack treat! I've included the changes necessary to make these gluten-free and vegan.

Makes 16

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (or 1 egg)
1/3 cup water
1 3/4 cups gluten-free cup-for-cup flour blend (or all-purpose flour)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1/4 cup vegetable or olive oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
Optional: 1 cup vegan chocolate chips or regular mini chocolate chips

Instructions

In a small bowl, stir the flaxseed and water together. Set aside while you prepare the recipe. (Omit if using an egg.)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F) and line two cupcake tins with paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
In a medium bowl, whisk together until well combined the flaxseed mixture (or egg), maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and applesauce.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. If using, stir the chocolate chips into the batter.
Fill each paper liner about 3/4 full.
Bake for 20 – 22 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of muffin comes out mostly clean.
Transfer muffins from pan to a wire rack and cool completely.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Muffins can be individually wrapped in plastic, placed in a freezer-safe ziplock bag, and frozen. Defrost in the refrigerator for several hours without unwrapping, then gently reheat in the microwave.

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Buckingham Palace Shortbread from Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room

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A THREE BOOK PROBLEM is the seventh book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany. This has long been one of my favorite series and while this newest release might not be my favorite of the bunch, it still proved to be a captivating read full of intrigue and clever homage to the Great Detective. With the backdrop of a weekend working and socializing at a Sherlockian getaway at a crumbling manor house, the scene is set for an old-fashioned whodunit. Protagonist, Gemma Doyle, owner of Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, has agreed to work alongside Jayne Wilson, her best friend and part owner of Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room, to cater the weekend event. Rounding out the trio of friends at the event is Ryan Ashburton, Gemma’s boyfriend and local police detective. He’s taken time off from his job to help out. In previous books, Ryan’s been more standoffish due to the murder investigations he’s been involved in but, in this informal setting, it was much easier to get to know him a little bit better which I appreciated. One of the great strengths of Ms. Delany is her character development and character growth over the course of the series. They are memorable and capture my imagination… including Gemma’s elusive and quite mysterious great-uncle Arthur, a renowned Sherlock expert.

When the host is murdered, by a poisonous dart no less, Gemma has the unique opportunity of being right in the midst of things. Not only is she helping serve the catered meals to the guests, but she’s one of the Sherlock experts, representing her uncle and their shop. This gives her plenty of occasions to ask questions and observe the behavior of the guests and the staff hired by the host. And since the manor house is out in the middle of nowhere, Gemma realizes that the murderer must be someone staying at the house with them. Could it be the sulky housekeeper or the rude butler? Or could one of the guests, who are supposedly there because of their love of all things Sherlock Holmes, have cause to wish their host harm? As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that there are secrets to uncover and clues to suss out. Ms. Delany proves once again that she’s a masterful storyteller with the ability to create a memorable book!

While there aren’t any recipes in the book, Jayne Wilson creates all sorts of tempting dishes to serve over the weekend. From breakfast to lunch to afternoon tea to dinner to dessert, the guests were well-fed. I might have gained a few pounds just reading about the food! Vicki has graciously shared a shortbread recipe with us, which claims to be a favorite of Buckingham Palace. Simple ingredients mix together quickly and I like that the dough is rolled out into a square, then cut into squares or triangles after it’s baked. With a sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar, these flaky shortbread cookies are the perfect afternoon treat whether you prefer tea, coffee, milk, or just plain water.

Amazon Synopsis

It’s a crisp, early October weekend, and business is slowing down as fall descends at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and adjacent Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Wealthy philanthropist and prominent Sherlockian David Masterson has rented Suffolk Gardens House, where he plans to entertain his friends in a traditional English country house weekend.

As the chosen caterers, Jayne Wilson and Gemma Doyle get to work preparing lavish meals and setting up Sherlockian books and props for entertainment. Meanwhile, police detective Ryan Ashburton has taken time away from his duties to assist in the kitchen. It quickly becomes apparent that David’s guests don’t like each other–or their host. Plus, some of them aren’t even acquainted with the adventures of the Great Detective.

Before Gemma can ponder their relationships a poisoned dart sails through the window of the library, presenting Gemma Doyle with a three-book problem.

Buckingham Palace Shortbread from Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room

From Vicki Delany: Jayne Wilson, part owner and head baker at Ms. Hudson’s Tea Room, is hired to cater a traditional Victorian country house weekend for a Sherlock Holmes gathering in the seventh book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series A Three Book Problem. She intends to pull out all the stops in making the meals perfect. The dessert at the Saturday night banquet is a trifle, and she accompanies that with slices of delicious buttery shortbread made in the English style. In her hunt for the perfect recipe, she found this one, which is supposedly the recipe they use for shortbread at Buckingham Palace. Jayne has seen several different recipes that apparently are the ones favoured by the queen, so she takes take that claim with a pinch of salt. However, they are made in her kitchen, so that’s just as good. Right?

Ingredients

2 cups cake flour
3/4 cup cornstarch + 1 tablespoon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt until well blended.
In a stand mixer set on medium speed, beat the butter until creamy. Beat in the granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary.
On low speed, add the flour mixture in two or three additions until it forms a soft dough. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F
On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, roll the dough out to a 3/4-inch-thick slab, Transfer, parchment and all, to the baking sheet and bake until lightly golden and firm to the touch, about 40 minutes.
Slip the parchment paper with the shortbread onto a hard surface.
Immediately sprinkle the shortbread heavily with the confectioners' sugar. While still warm, cut the shortbread into 1- or 1 ½-inch pieces. Let cool completely.

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

Cold Brew Coffee

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I’m delighted to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour presenting COLD BREW CORPSE, the second book in the Coffee Lover’s Mystery series by Tara Lush! With the backdrop of the mouth-watering coffee shop, Perkatory, in Devil’s Beach, Florida, the protagonist, Lana Lewis, has her hands full running the busy shop and pining for her past life as a newspaper crime reporter. Lana is witty and can be just a bit snarky at times, yet she’s loyal to her friends, dad, and her adorable dog, Stanley. The characters surrounding Lana are equally fleshed out, and I especially love her hippie dad. He doesn’t frequent the pages as much as I’d like, but when he does, he steals the scene. And then there’s Noah… sigh… the tantalizing chief of police and Lana’s love interest if their schedules ever line up. Ms. Lush knows how to draw out the suspense not only of the crime, but of the romantic aspect as well. The descriptive voice of the author brings the setting to life, from the hot humidity of Florida, to the tantalizing fragrance of fresh-brewed coffee, to the inviting views of sand and sea, making me feel like I’m right there. Adding to all of that is the tidbits of humor interjected, thanks to the author’s active imagination, which kept me chuckling as I turned the pages.

I found it intriguing that the victim of the murderer was that of a yogi, Raina Rose, who’d set up her hot yoga studio, Dante’s Inferno, next to Perkatory. (The cleverly named shops in town are all quite entertaining on their own!) I, for one, don’t associate violence with yoga, yet the author does an admirable job in weaving the crime into the relaxing practice. Early on, Raina seemed to embody the attributes of yogi but as Lana digs deeper into Raina’s life, not all is as serene as she’d appeared. Combining her natural curiosity with the opportunity to write an article for the local newspaper on the case, Lana begins asking questions around town, hunting for answers on who might have wanted the yogi dead. As the clues come together, Lana and the hot chief might be at odds on who will solve the case first. But with the final suspenseful conclusion, all is revealed and the reader is enticed into waiting on pins and needles for the next installment in this delicious series!

If you’re a coffee drinker like I am, you’ll be tempted by all the delectable drinks served at the Perkatory. Many thanks to Ms. Lush for providing a cold brew coffee recipe for me to share with you. A couple years ago my husband gifted me with a fancy espresso barista machine, which I’m completely smitten with. I did a taste test between my espresso machine and this cold brew recipe. Hands down the cold brew was by far the winner and when the weather turns warm and I switch to iced coffees, I’ll be keeping a carafe of this in my fridge. On it’s own or as the base for your own fabulous coffee concoction, this cold brew coffee is a smooth, delicious (and oh so easy) way to become your own favorite barista!

Amazon Synopsis

It’s a steamy September, and business is brisk at Perkatory, the hottest coffee shop in Devil’s Beach, FL. Much of the clientele pours in from Dante’s Inferno, the hot yoga studio next door. But the bright, sunny Gulf Coast days turn decidedly dark-roast when the body of the studio’s owner turns up in a nearby swamp.

Between running Perkatory and training Stanley, her golden Shih Tzu puppy, reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis is too busy to go sleuthing. But when the editor of the local paper asks her to write about the murder, Lana’s dreams of getting back into journalism start to percolate.

Lana discovers that the yogi has a nefarious past and her share of mug shots, so grinding her way through the suspect list is a large task. She learns that the victim was fatally beaned by an SUV before she was dumped in the swamp. But was the killer one of her students? An envious yoga teacher? Or a local photographer who seems to know too much?

But no one tells Lana Lewis what to do. Hunting the caf-fiend who killed the yogi puts Lana and Chief Noah’s relationship–and Lana’s life–in very hot coffee.

A special thanks to Tara Lush for providing one winner with a $20 Amazon gift card! Contest ends January 17, 2022 at 11:59 pm EST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. Contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour and the winner will be announced on this page and notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee has become a popular drink, and while it’s tempting to spend $4 at Starbucks for an iced cold glass of coffee, it’s also quite easy to make your own. It won’t taste weird, I promise, and it’s a good choice while dreaming of summer and reading COLD BREW CORPSE, the second in the Coffee Lover’s Mystery series by Tara Lush. Here’s a simple recipe to follow for the perfect cold brew concentrate.

Ingredients

1/3 cup coarsely ground coffee
1-1/2 cups cups cold water
Milk, flavoring, and sugar to taste

Instructions

Place both the coffee and the water in a glass jar or pitcher. Stir. (You can also buy a fancy cold brew container with a built in filter like I have, but let’s just keep this simple).
Cover the container and let it rest at room temperature for 12 hours. This length of time allows the coffee flavor and oils to emerge with no bitterness.
Strain the coffee through a filter, a fine-mesh colander, cheesecloth, or sieve.
Serve the strained coffee over ice. If it’s too strong, dilute with water. Also add your choice of milk, flavoring and sugar. Enjoy!

Note:

If you double or triple the recipe, the coffee keeps for five days in the fridge.

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January 4 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE
January 4 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
January 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 6 – The Mystery Section – RECIPE
January 6 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
January 7 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 7 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
January 8 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 8 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
January 9 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
January 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 10 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
January 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
January 12 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
January 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
January 13 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW
January 14 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST
January 15 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
January 16 – ebook addicts – SPOTLIGHT
January 17 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

You may have noticed that I haven’t featured any YouTube videos lately with the recipe posts. Due to my own writing schedule and deadlines, I’m trying to find ways to create more time without giving up the blog. I hope you understand and perhaps one of these days, I’ll be able to return to crafting YouTube tutorials.

Now if you’ve followed my blog for long, you’ve probably noticed that I don’t advertise nor offer recommendations for products other than books. I’m making an exception this time because I’m enthralled with the Sumatra coffee produced by a local roaster, Wilson Coffee, which is only a couple miles from my house! Their organic coffee is also sustainably grown with an emphasis on supporting small local farms in the region the coffee is grown in. On top of that, they got their start in my small home town of Ojai before settling here in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, CA. While browsing their website for this blurb, I also noticed that they offer cold brew as well. Thanks to the cold brew recipe provided by Tara Lush, I think I’ll stick to making my own 🙂

Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

I am beyond thrilled to celebrate FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER‘s release! With the somewhat unexpected addition of Missy, our new mini Goldendoodle puppy to our household in April, my writing schedule was seriously derailed. It took a ton of determination by setting my alarm clock an hour earlier than usual and before the puppy needed to get up and writing in the dark so I wouldn’t wake her. I attempted to write seven days a week, one hour a day (I had no idea puppies demanded SO much energy and attention all day long!!!) but in the end I finally got the manuscript off to the editor in mid-October and to my cover designer. And Missy now gets to share the pages and the cover with my grand-doggy, Piper. A huge thank you to everyone who has encouraged my writing by leaving reviews for the previous books in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series – you definitely inspired me to tell this holiday story!

As a special thank you and as a holiday gift to you, the ebook is available for only $0.99 and the print copy has been discounted as well, through the end of December. Don’t miss out on the special price! And check out below, my recipe for Lacy Oatmeal Cookies which is one of several included in the book.

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Set against the holiday cheer of twinkling lights, costumed carolers, and a festive line of extravagantly decorated boats participating in the annual Christmas boat parade in Newport Beach, California, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez finds that the grinch has crashed the party. Together with her sister Carrie, Emory is catering a delectable feast of holiday cupcakes and cookies aboard a luxury yacht for the new Mrs. Blair Villman and her guests.

I’m also celebrating my new release with a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway. Scroll down below the recipe to enter via the Rafflecopter link. Contest ends 12/21/21.

Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional:

1/4 cup chocolate chips, your choice of white, semi-sweet, or dark

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mix together until well combined the oats, flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in the egg and vanilla until incorporated then stir in the flour mixture just until combined.
Cover dough and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Form the dough into 2-teaspoon-sized balls (about 24 cookies) and place 4 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake 1 sheet at a time for 14 to 15 minutes. The cookies should be golden, and centers should appear set.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
If desired, drizzle with melted chocolate. Allow chocolate to set before storing in an airtight container with parchment paper separating the layers. Consume within 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Tip:

To melt the chocolate, place the chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir. Repeat for 20-second increments, stirring well after each heat cycle until the chips are smooth. Place in a pastry bag or disposable ziplock bag and snip a corner to release the drizzle over the cooled cookies.

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Be sure to follow along on my Great Escapes Virtual blog tour. There will be a gift card giveaway and a chance to win a print copy of FROSTED YULETIDE MURDER!

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 14 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW
December 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
December 15 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
December 15 – Our Holiday Journey – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
December 16 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
December 16 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
December 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 17 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 17 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
December 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
December 19 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
December 20 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Cookies

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STARLIGHT AT MOONGLOW is the seventh book in the Moonglow Christmas series by Deborah Garner. Every year I await with great anticipation for the newest sweet, holiday-based novella to release and welcome in the Christmas season! Ms. Garner’s characters are a delight to spend time with, especially the protagonist, Mist. There’s something just a bit magical about Mist as she welcomes and tends to the guests who arrive at the Timberton Hotel for the holidays. From the food she prepares, to the gifts she leaves each guest, to the miniature paintings she creates each Christmas Eve for each visitor to open Christmas morning, Mist seems to know what would be most meaningful for every individual. The author’s strong descriptive voice brings it all to life so that I felt like I was there, enjoying the scrumptious dishes, the roaring fire, and yuletide carols while spending time with friends, both new and old. Starlight at Moonglow is the perfect short holiday read to cozy up beneath a comforting quilt, sipping on eggnog or hot cocoa, and immerse yourself for a couple hours in pure Christmas joy!

One of the Christmas traditions at the Timberton Hotel is the annual cookie exchange for townsfolk and guests alike. Each year Ms. Garner invites readers to submit their favorite cookie recipe to include in the book, and each year I look forward to providing one of my own cookie recipes for the cookie exchange recipe section. This year I created Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Cookies for Starlight at Moonglow and I’m happy to share the recipe with you today. Thin dark chocolate cookies are a bit soft and chewy on the inside and a little crisp around the edges. With a sprinkle of coarse white sugar to mimic snow or a sprinkle of peppermint chips to add a festive flare, Santa and his elves will be delighted to be the recipient of these yummy cookies!

Amazon Synopsis

As the Christmas holiday approaches, a blizzard threatens the peaceful ambiance that the Timberton Hotel usually offers its guests. Even resident artist and chef, Mist, known to work near miracles, has no control over the howling winds and heavy snowfall. But there’s always a bit of magic in this small Montana town, and this year’s storm may just find it’s no match for heartfelt camaraderie, joyful inspiration, and sweet romance.

A special thanks to Deborah Garner for providing one lucky winner their choice of either print or an e-book copy of STARLIGHT AT MOONGLOW! Contest ends Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. Print is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Santa’s Favorite Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, (or instant coffee such as Starbucks VIA)
3/4 cup Dutch cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Garnish

Coarse white sugar or peppermint crunch baking chips (such as Andes)

Instructions

Sift together, into a medium bowl, the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy, about 3 minutes.
Beat in the eggs, one at time, until fully incorporated. Mix in the vanilla.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix just until fully incorporated.
Refrigerate the dough for 60 minutes.
Separate the dough into two pieces, and roll each piece into 12-inch logs (about 2 inches in diameter). Tightly wrap each log in parchment paper.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).
Slice the cookies into 1/4 to 1/3-inch-thick rounds and place 6 slices only on a parchment-lined baking sheet. These cookies spread while baking so give them ample space. If desired, sprinkle tops of cookies with coarse white sugar or peppermint crunch baking chips.
Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, rotating pan once halfway through baking cycle.
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Tip

If dough is too hard to slice through, allow to sit at room temperature for 15 – 30 minutes.
The dough can be made up to 3 months ahead of time, formed into logs, and wrapped in parchment paper. Place the logs into a freezer-safe Ziplock bag and freeze until needed. Allow the frozen dough to defrost overnight in the refrigerator then proceed as directed for slicing and baking.

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