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IN THE BLINK OF A PIE is the third book in the Maple Syrup Mysteries by Catherine Bruns. I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this is my favorite! Protagonist Leila Khoury, manager of her family’s maple syrup Sappy Endings Farm, has found her stride and self-confidence. She’s thinking of new ways to bring in new business to the farm and hosting a pie baking contest before Thanksgiving is just the yummy boost they need. Ms. Bruns has crafted an inviting setting with the maple syrup farm, with tidbits of the syrup production to give it authenticity. Her core characters are appealing and well-developed, and I love the direction Leila and her love interest, Noah, are heading in. It adds a heartwarming touch to the overall story. There’s also an underlying emotional depth on mother-daughter relationships as well as Noah’s young daughter’s response of Leila being in her life, which made me invested in the outcome. Family is definitely a strong theme throughout the book!
With the pie baking contest bringing visitors galore to the farm, the last thing Leila needs is for one of her neighbors to cause a scene and insert herself as one of the judges. Except the neighbor got more than she bargained for when she sampled the pumpkin pie…she ingested poison and couldn’t be saved. Not only does the murder cause a disruption to the festivities, but it doesn’t take long for people to avoid Sappy Endings at all costs. With the family business on the line, Lelia takes it upon herself to investigate and find the truth, and soon discovers she may have been the intended victim! Ms. Bruns writes a tightly plotted tale with twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged. There are suspects galore and it will take a sharp reader to catch all the clues and put them together for the solution. The heart pounding reveal brings all the threads of the story together in one highly satisfying conclusion!
Be sure to read through to the end of the book for several delicious pie recipes…they all sound utterly decadent! I was delighted to create the Maple Cream Pie recipe for the book, in keeping with the maple syrup and pie baking contest theme. With a graham cracker crust to provide both a pleasing crunchy contrast and a subtle flavor, the maple shines through in the creamy filling. While the ingredients may be simple, the richness of the custard filling complements the maple flavor, making this a comforting dessert to serve!
Amazon Synopsis
Sometimes, there’s no one you can crust…
It’s Thanksgiving in Sugar Ridge, Vermont, and Leila Khoury, manager of Sappy Endings Farm, is ready to usher in the holiday season by hosting a pie-baking contest. The day is meticulously planned, from the judging panel to the maple lattes, and Leila can’t wait for the entire town to enjoy some sweet treats.
But when a neighbor drops dead from sampling a poisoned pumpkin pie, it’s not just Leila’s perfect day that’s in jeopardy—her livelihood is now at stake. And after yet another near-fatal incident, she realizes an even more terrifying truth: the killer wasn’t targeting her neighbor, but someone even closer to home!
Can Leila figure out who’s behind the murder, before the dough hits the fan?
A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for offering a print copy of IN THE BLINK OF A PIE to one lucky winner! Contest ends October 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. 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!)
- 9-inch pre-baked graham cracker crust, cooled
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-3/4 cups whole milk, divided
- 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
- 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, divided
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Combine the cornstarch and salt in a heavy saucepan. Whisk in 1/2 cup cold milk until the mixture is smooth. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk and 3/4 cup maple syrup.
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Cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Stir frequently starting out but as the mixture heats, stir constantly to keep from scorching. Reduce the heat to low once it begins bubbling and cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
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In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Whisking constantly, add a 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks. Slowly and whisking constantly, add the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan containing the milk mixture.
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Over medium-low heat, cook the mixture until it begins to bubble, then cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter.
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Cool to room temperature without stirring.
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Once filling has cooled, add 1 cup heavy cream to a chilled medium-size bowl. Whip on high until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low and slowly add 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar. Increase speed and beat until stiff peaks form.
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Whisk 1 cup of the whipped cream into the fully-cooled filling. Pour into the cooled pie crust.
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Spread the remaining whipped cream over the pie filling.
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Refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, whip the remaining 1/4 cup heavy cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Reduce speed and add 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, then increase speed and beat until stiff peaks form. Using a piping bag and large star tip, pipe the whipped cream around the edges of the pie to decorate.
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Refrigerate any leftovers.
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If you want to make this using non-dairy milk and non-dairy whipping cream, add an additional 1 tablespoon cornstarch to the saucepan before adding the non-dairy milk. I used almond milk. For the whipped cream, I used the Silk brand, and found I needed to increase the amount of cream used since it doesn't whip up as the same volume as regular cream. Whip the full 1-1/4 cups for adding to the pie and topping it, and then an additional 1/3 to 1/2 cup for piping around the edges. The confectioners sugar measurement remains the same.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sounds like a good read.
Mmmm! I LOVE cream pies and this one sounds delicious! Love the book cover too!
Great recipes and book looks awesome to read, really looking forward to reading this book n print format
I have never had a Maple cream pie but it sounds good. Also what a cute cover and I see all those yummy pies.
Thank you.
love your writing
Maple cream? I’m in!
Yummy the recipe sounds awesome!