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AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES by Leslie Budewitz is the fifth book in the Food Lovers series. The Christmas holidays are gearing up with lots of festivities planned in Jewel Bay, Montana, which prides itself on promoting local food and crafts. Erin Murphy, manager of her family’s Murphy Mercantile, is a delightful protagonist. I adore the closeness she shares with her family which spills over into the close-knit community. Erin is kind-hearted and befriends Merrily, who has been shunned from her family for a long-ago transgression which she had paid dearly for. Given the ongoing holiday festivities, Merrily’s family situation becomes all that more heartbreaking. I found Ms. Budewitz writes rich, emotional connections between the characters and brings the spirit of the season to life on the pages. And even though it’s only June, I’m happy to read about Christmas any time of the year!
When Merrily is found murdered, Erin grieves for a friend she barely knew and is pulled into finding justice for the woman. Even though Erin is busy finalizing her wedding plans to Adam and participating in the town’s events, she still finds time to ask questions and find the truth. There were enough suspects to keep me guessing without too many overwhelming the plot. Subplots were woven into the story to bring an added depth of richness to the tale and Ms. Budewitz brings all the threads together in one satisfying conclusion. I also appreciated how the author includes a list of characters at the very beginning of the book. While I didn’t need to reference it since characters were judiciously introduced, it was nice to have “just in case”. And truth be told, it was terrific to have when writing this review since I got so caught up in the fast-paced story I forgot to take many notes.
With the Christmas season being celebrated in the village, Erin hosts a cookie exchange party. It was fun reading Erin’s description of how she connects the cookie qualities with the personality of the baker who brought them to the exchange. The reader will be drooling over the myriad of recipes Ms. Budewitz includes at the back of the book, both for cookies and savory dishes alike! It was certainly difficult to choose just one recipe to share but in the end, Chocolate Ecstasies won out. I was smitten by the generous amounts of chocolate these cookies hold and the fact that it mixes up in one pan. No lugging the heavy-duty mixer out, no rolling out dough, no worrying about getting the butter softened enough. This ultimate chocolatey, easy-peasy cookie recipe is still super yummy and will have your friends and family begging for it year-round!
Amazon Synopsis
Erin is one smart cookie, but can she keep the holiday spirit―and herself―alive till Christmas?
In Jewel Bay, all is merry and bright. At Murphy’s Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily has turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.
When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he’s been robbed, fingers point to Merrily―until she’s found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer―and keep herself in one piece―in time for a special Christmas Eve?
A special thanks to Midnight Ink and Leslie Budewitz for providing a winner with a print copy of AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES! Contest is limited to U.S. residents only and ends Wednesday, June 13, 2018 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!)
Adding half the chocolate chips just before baking gives these crackletopped cookies a soft, fudgy interior. And mixing the batter in the saucepan makes clean up easy!
- 1 12-ounce package (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided)
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, heaping
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Dash of salt
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
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Heat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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In a heavy medium sauce pan, melt one cup of the chocolate chips, the unsweetened chocolate, and the butter, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
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In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and a dash of salt.
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Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla to the chocolate mixture, in the saucepan but off the heat; mix well.
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Add the flour mixture and mix well.
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Stir in the remaining one cup of chocolate chips and the nuts.
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Drop by teaspoons onto a baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the surface dull and cracked.
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Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Makes about 3 dozen.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Except for the last 2 or 3 years, my family would do cookie exchanges every year. It is fun to see what everyone makes and a great way to find and try new recipes!
No! Not Christmas already!
No! Not Christmas already! No, I don’t do a cookie exchange
Nope don’t do cookie exchanges.
We just bake and exchange with family.
My mother-in-law eats only the traditional Danish Christmas cookies so we have mostly focused on those in recent years. She gives gifts of cookies but demurs from accepting different ones in return. Since we are living together, it makes participation in cookie exchanges difficult.
No, I do not. But I think it would be fun.
No I’ve never done a cookie exchange but would be open to it.
Just the family we exchange cookies my sister can make some good ones. Great review thank you
Penney
No, not formally. But we have several kinds we bake every year for our family!
I have participated in a few. Don’t any longer, but always on the lookout for a good cookie recipe.
I haven’t done a cookie exchange in 20 years or so. It was always fun to see the variety of baked goods.
No I don’t. Thanks for the delicious recipe and great review.
No I don’t but a cookie exchange sounds like fun!
No, we don’t do cookie exchanges but I’d love to someday.
scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for featuring my Fudge Ecstasies, Kim — your photos and videos are always so beautiful! For those who like the idea of an exchange but can’t actually participate in one, here’s a suggestion from another reader: holiday bake sales are a great way to get a variety of home-made goodies without having to make them all yourself!
Merry Christmas-in-June!
You’re very welcome, Leslie, it’s always a pleasure hosting you on my blog! Your suggestion to find holiday bake sales for home-made goodies is a great one!
These look utterly fabulous! Bring them on!!!
The fudge sounds delicious!
I’ve never done a cookie exchange before, sounds like fun.
I’m also happy to read about Christmas any time of the year. And I have been known to listen to Christmas music any time of the year also. Thanks for the chance to win!
No, I haven’t participated in a cookie exchange, I work retail so by the time it’s close to Christmas I’m lucky if I get anything baked at all. Thank you for the recipe, it sounds great. Congrats on your new release!
I’ve participated in probably as many as 45 cookie swaps in the 55 years we’ve been married. I’ve hosted many of them as well and they’re so much fun. Our daughter and her family have continued this wonderful tradition as well.
Thanks for the reminder of the recipe.
I’ve never participated in an organized cookie exchange. However, from the time I was a little kid helping my Mom until the present time, there has always been lots of cookie baking for the holidays that we bundled up and shared with others from friends, family to just folks we just met. It’s a way of spreading cheer and putting a smile of someone’s face with just a little round cookie. I love doing it and figure to continue until I’m not able to any more.
Congratulations to Leslie on the release of her new amazing book! Thanks to you for spreading the word of this cool new book. Love new recipes and can’t wait to try the Fudge Ecstasies.
I have not participated in a Christmas cookie exchange. I’ve always wanted to. Thanks for the giveaway!
I don’t participate in Christmas cookie exchanges. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of As The Christmas Cookie Crumbles.
Not any more. But in the 70s I participated in 3 and baked over a 100 dozen cookies each Christmas!!!
That’s a lot of cookies!!! I’ll bet you have some amazing recipes too after participating in that many cookie exchanges 🙂
No, I don’t participate in Christmas cookie exchanges.
I haven’t been in a cookie exchange yet. Sounds interesting though. The recipe sounds and looks delicious. I do want to read this book! Thank you for the chance.
No
“Do you participate in Christmas cookie exchanges?” No–the concept is completely new to me!
No, I’ve never had the opportunity to participate in a Christmas Cookie Exchange.
Love this series! The fudge looks amazing!
Yes I did it once. It was fun. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
In the late 70’s and 80’s when they were really popular we did them every yr. But life got in the way and I no longer do cookie exchanges, but do kind of miss them. Thanks for the chance, I love Leslie’s books!
I don’t do cookie exchanges. I did when I was still working but I don’t socialize much anymore. I also don’t eat too many sweets. They look good but I can’t eat too many.
I did once. It was so fun!
I am not a skilled cookie baker, but we do make candy and cakes to give away at Christmas.
last year was my first time to try the cookie exchange and i loved it!! I will be doing it again
I used to do cookie exchanges, but now my work schedule gets in thd way (nightshift on a rotating schedule). I still bake Christmas cookies for my family, but at 2 or 3 in the morning! ?
I’ve given gifts of sweet treats & have also received them, however, I’ve never participated in an official cookie exchange.
My Family and I do a cookie exchange and they are a lot of fun.
Thank you. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I have in the past but not lately.
I don’t do exchanges…but we make about 80 dozen of different kinds to give away! Also three to five kinds of candy….years ago when younger and able to donate to nursing homes and prisons, we did up to 300 dozen….
Nope — I’ve never participated in a cookie exchange. I do love eating them though 🙂
Don’t do exchanges as all my family lives our of state.
Not anymore. I just hope someone wil lbake them for me!
Not any more. We used to hold a cookie exchange at work but now that I am semi-retired I don’t.
Before I retired, I did at work once. Now I go to a cookie sale for our local animal shelter.
I have never been part of a cookie exchange. Maybe one day.
No, no cookie exchange. But these look wonderful.
I haven’t participated in a cookie exchange, but I have always wanted to. I love cookies!
I don’t participate in a cookie exchange but we have a friend who gives us a plate full of different kinds of cookies!
I haven’t participated in a cookie exchange in recent years. We are talking about doing one at work this year.
I have in the past but not lately. Your cookies sound sumptuous! And your book fun!
no I don’t participate in cookie exchanges nobody ever started one wherever I worked.
Yes, I have done a cookie exchange and holiday recipe exchange. Both are fun!
I can start a cookie exchange this year!
I don’t know of any, but I would love to participate in one! We’re trying to buy a house, maybe that would be something fun to do in our new neighborhood. 🙂 These look so yummy!
No cookie exchanges – not even when I worked. The chocolate in these gems could almost change my mind!! Except in order to exchange, one has to not eat ll of them..looks sooo good!!