I’m excited to be helping Julia Buckley celebrate the release of PUDDING UP WITH MURDER, the third book in her Undercover Dish Mystery series. Lilah Drake provides private catering to people in the town of Pine Haven who want to take credit for cooking a particular dish themselves, but either don’t have the time or the talent to do so. Discrete is Lilah’s middle name but that’s gotten her in trouble in the past and may cause potential problems in this new book. I love, love the premise of series. How clever to have someone cook a dish so that someone else can take credit?!?! And so many mentions of delicious dishes! It also gives the protagonist an “in” with a variety of townspeople who she otherwise wouldn’t come in contact with.
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While this is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. A new reader won’t be lost as there is a bit of backstory mentioned. However, previous books sets up the scenes for Lilah’s blossoming romance with Detective Jay Parker. It’s very entertaining that Lilah met him via his mother, Ellie, who uses her catering service and claims the dishes as her own. Even her grown children think she’s an amazing cook. There is an undercurrent of romance throughout the book that is cute at times and also sweet but perhaps that’s because the season is spring and everyone is twitterpated. It does not detract from the plot and instead, provides a nice backdrop to the murder mystery.
When Lilah accompanies Ellie to a 65th birthday party for Ellie’s next door neighbor, little did she know that the birthday “boy” would drop face first into her dish of rice pudding during the party, poisoned to death. Lilah feels a bit responsible since the man just ate her pudding and starts asking some questions and listening to the gossip going around town. The author provides plenty of suspects via the victim’s many adult children and the book deftly explores the theme of parent/child relationships, especially as they age. The threads of the plot and subplots are skillfully interwoven to provide a very surprising and suspenseful ending… one that I didn’t see coming at all! And as I read the last page, wondered just how long I have to wait for the next book to release!
Being a caterer, Lilah prepares many yummy dishes and the descriptions will make you hungry! Fortunately, Julia has provided several recipes at the back of the book and has graciously allowed me to share Lilah’s Raspberry-Almond Deep-Dish Coffee Cake. Using both fresh raspberries and raspberry jam, this coffee cake mixes up quickly without much fuss making it a perfect choice for breakfast or brunch tables.
Amazon Synopsis
Secret chef Lilah Drake has a killer casserole to deal with in the latest Undercover Dish mystery from the author of Cheddar Off Dead….
Customers trust Lilah Drake to keep her mouthwatering meals under wraps, but when a millionaire meets his untimely end, some sinister secrets become the main course. . . .
Spring is right around the corner, and with the warmer temperatures come plenty of food requests from Lilah Drake’s covered-dish clients. Lilah pulls out all the stops with a sweet new casserole for the birthday party of Marcus Cantwell, a wealthy curmudgeon who has some angry ex-wives and more than a few enemies.
When he’s found facedown in Lilah’s casserole, it’s anyone’s guess as to who might have wanted the old man dead. A possible new heir to Marcus’s fortune adds some unexpected spice to the investigation, but Lilah fears that the old adage is true, and “the proof is in the pudding.”
A special thanks to Julia Buckley for offering a print copy of PUDDING UP WITH MURDER for one lucky winner! Contest ends Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- a handful of fresh raspberries
- 1 teaspoon flour
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam
- 1-1/2 teaspoons butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 teaspoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon raspberry extract
- 2 pats butter, softened
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Grease and flour an 8-inch square glass casserole dish (OR use a larger one, but double the ingredients; I use a Pyrex 10 x 15-inch dish that my mother gave me, but then I double the recipe to feed more people.) OR, line an 8-inch round cake tin with parchment paper.
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Mix raspberry jam, brown sugar, 1-1/2 teaspoons butter, and 1 teaspoon of flour along with some of the raspberries in a bowl. Keep this on hand for later in the recipe.
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Next, find a larger bowl to combine all of the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt).
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Mix your melted butter with the eggs and add the teaspoon of vanilla.
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Add the egg and butter mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
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Put half the batter in your pan. Take your raspberry mixture and carefully spoon it, as evenly as possible, onto the batter. Then put the rest of the batter on top.
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Find your sliced almonds and sprinkle these in a pleasing arrangement across the top of the batter.
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Set your timer for somewhere between 23 - 28 minutes, but only remove from the oven when a fork inserted into the center of your cake comes out clean. If you double the ingredients you may need to bake longer.
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Combine the glaze ingredients; if they become stiff, add tiny amounts of water or milk until the frosting is the desired consistency.
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Drizzle the glaze over a warm (but not hot) cake.
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Serve with fresh raspberries, whipped cream, a pot of tea or coffee, or all of the above.
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I was provided a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In the summer, I like to make Frozen Fruit Pizza.
I make mini peanut butter – chocolate chip banana muffins! I’ve found the mini muffins get devoured, whereas the regular size would be left over. They are rich!
I love this series,I’m looking forward to this one. thanks for the recipe too.
Penney
Favorite dish for parties or gatherings is the “make-your-own soft taco/burrito.” Many friends or family members have diet preferences or restrictions. Offering a variety of fillings, toppings and tortillas means that everyone gets something they enjoy eating and we are, curiously, given credit for the fabulous meal.
I’m very often asked to bring my coconut cream pie. However, I love to make or take our homemade cinnamon rolls mainly because it’s a dish that both my husband and I make together. Nothing tastes better than cooking with your loved one! If it’s some place that is some distance or maybe the next day or two from when I bake it then my Ozark Honey Oatmeal Cookies fit the bill. They last forever and in fact they get better with time plus they freeze well too. 🙂
It’s a favorite of my whole family it is a brocolli & cheese casserole. Thanks as always for your generosity.
I like to make brownies
Have two that are often requested. Pot Roast (w/allspice and orange peel) with Dumplings. We have a carrot cake and a cake like, very moist brownie that are often requested together.
Brownies are my go to dish to take. I don’t like to take salads since if they’re mayo based they can turn and some actually get watery so brownies are it. Thanks for hosting Julia Buckley and Pudding Up With Murder.
I like to fix either potato salad or chicken salad.
I like to make my fresh apple cake when apples are in season. Otherwise I’ll do brownies.
I make a layered taco dip that everyone always asks for
My husband makes a potato salad that people always ask for so that is what we bring. He has even had cases where a bowl and a lb of bacon came to our house by the way of my step-son and then my husband made 5 lbs for them. they were so nice they even sent a thank you note and a gift card!
I like to make tortilla roll-ups and King Ranch Casserole ~
Love mysteries that involve recipes.
All the above favorites sound pretty tasty.
But this cake is outstanding sounding.
As to favorite dishes to bring. Well, as to appetizers I am requested to bring a hot artichoke dip with shrimp or my charcuterie platter. For entrees I am asked to bring my Shipwrecked Shrimp dish, and for desserts everyone wants my Cherries on a Cloud. The kids ask for my homemade marshmallows and my sponge candy too.
Thank you.
I usually like to bring a bundt cake for dessert. I have a few “go-to” recipes. At Christmas time, I have a cranberry orange walnut cake that I always make. This recipe looks yummy…thanks for it and the chance to win!
I like to take local fresh fruit platter.
I always make my special special deviled eggs shaved ham on top. They are always a hit!
I like making my Chinese Cole slaw.
I know it’s not very original of me but for holiday parties, I like to make green bean casserole, the one with mushroom soup and the crispy onions. It’s so good and we never have it except at the holiday parties.
I like to make spinach dip in a bread bowl. It’s always a big hit.
My favorite dish is deviled eggs. I’ve been told I make the best deviled eggs they ever eaten. And i would love to win a print copy of Pudding Up With Murder. Thank you for the chance.
“Do you have a favorite dish that you like to prepare for parties or gatherings?” Well, I suppose cheesecake brownies couldn’t hurt!
My sister makes banana nut bars that we take to parties & meetings. Always a crowd pleaser.
Hot crab dip. Thanks for the chance.
Mud Balls and Sticky Toffee Pudding…both desserts. I love a sweet gathering. Thank you for the recipe, I’m going to add it to my party dessert platter!
If I am not bringing a dessert, I like to make a fairly easy Italian pasta salad. Nice for summer, because you can use fresh things from the garden!
I love to make anything but usually I’m requested to bring pasta salad. I also love to make spinach dip in an Hawaiian bread bowl.
I like to make either brownies or lemon bars. Both are box so aren’t so difficult, nor do they take too long.
Homemade Strawberry Bread it is so good.
I like to try making new things so I don’t really have a go-to dish. It’s fun to experiment depending on the theme/holiday and time of year.
I like to make cornflake cookies.
I make a taco dip for most gatherings that is great for football season especially. One of my other favorites to make is a jello poke cake!
My current favorite is dark chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting!
Thank you!
I love making cheesecakes!
I take a brick of cream cheese and cover it with hot pepper
jelly (hot from the peppers not heat). It is usually green so
it’s especially good for a Christmas party.
thanks for the offer of the book
I usually bring spinach dip in bread bowl. Thanks for the chance.
Maceoindo (at)yahoo(dot)com
lemon squares
I like to make a quiche for parties or for brunches and so far it has gone over well…Can’t wait to read the book it sounds great…
Marilyn [email protected]