Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble

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A COLORFUL SCHEME is the fourth book in the Pen & Ink Mystery series by Krista Davis. You can always count on this author delivering a topnotch story with a riveting mystery, colorful characters, and a charming setting, and this newest release doesn’t disappoint. Protagonist Florrie Fox is a delightful young woman, sweet as she is kind, to both her friends and customers alike. Not only does she manage a bookstore, but she’s also a talented adult coloring book creator. The supporting characters are equally well-rounded and are people you’d like to spend time with. I enjoyed that Florrie’s sister, Veronica, has a greater role in the story, acting as the wedding planner for Florrie’s wealthy boss who is marrying a famous romance author (their second time marrying). A bit of humor is thrown in with Veronica needing to tackle wedding plan issues… until an issue turns serious with the discovery that the bride is missing.

There are multi-faceted mysteries for the reader to muse over in the story and I greatly enjoyed the literary thread of writing and publishing set amongst the wedding festivities. From an agent, to authors, to author and journalist wannabes, to a literary critic, Ms. Davis creates stressful situations that might lead to strife and even murder. On top of that, Florrie discovers she has a stalker who won’t leave her alone even when confronted. When a murder victim is discovered after the wedding festivities, Florrie can’t help but become involved. With plenty of suspects to choose from (there were over 500 guests at the wedding and reception!) it takes Florrie’s sharp mind and colorful art pencils to narrow down the list. The creative use of Florrie’s artistic skills to capture details of the people and clues involved in the case is unique and added another layer of entertainment to her sleuthing. I’ll admit I was way off the mark in guessing who the culprit was, but it was a fun read following along with Florrie’s investigations. As the story concluded, all questions were answered and the subplots fit together quite satisfactorily. It left me wanting to immediately color the inviting coloring book cover before picking up the next book in the series.

Another highlight of Krista Davis’s books are the tempting recipes she includes at the back of the book. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try out her recipe for Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble. Chock full of fresh blueberries in a tender vanilla cake, the cinnamon, brown sugar-based crumble adds both flavor and a pleasing crunchy texture. And since this makes a generous amount, it’s perfect for family breakfasts or brunch gatherings!

 

Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble is chock full of fresh blueberries in a tender vanilla cake. The cinnamon, brown sugar-based crumble adds both flavor and a pleasing crunchy texture. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of A COLORFUL SCHEME.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Coloring-book creator and Washington, DC, bookstore owner Florrie Fox is attending the wedding of her wealthy boss and a famous romance author, who are taking their vows—for the second time—on the grounds of the gorgeous Maxwell mansion.  But it soon becomes clear that the soothing vibe of coloring books is very different from the stress and backstabbing in some corners of the literary world.

Arthur Bedlingham, for example, barely makes a living despite the many awards he’s won—and his chances for better sales haven’t been helped by the vicious review he just got from another guest at the party. Then there’s an ex–FBI agent whose popular thrillers are a magnet for female fans; a less-successful romance writer; and an ambitious waitress who’s intent on a career in journalism.

When Arthur’s assistant, an aspiring writer, is murdered during the festivities, Florrie realizes this is no color-by-numbers case, and she’ll have to sort out the complicated secrets among this creative crowd of suspects . . .

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Krista Davis for providing a print copy of A COLORFUL SCHEME! Contest ends September 14, 2022 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble is chock full of fresh blueberries in a tender vanilla cake. The cinnamon, brown sugar-based crumble adds both flavor and a pleasing crunchy texture. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of A COLORFUL SCHEME.

 

Print
Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble

Use a 9" x 13" baking pan.

Note: butter must be softened.

Ingredients
For the Crumble
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cake
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for baking pan
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups blueberries (two 6-ounce clamshell packages)
Instructions
For the Crumble

  1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl. Using your fingers, squish them together, rubbing them between your fingers as you go, until they are all mixed and crumbly. Set aside.

For the Cake

  1. Grease the baking pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

  2. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and stir well with a whisk or fork to combine.

  3. Cream the sugar with the butter. Add the eggs and beat, one at a time. Alternate adding the milk and the flour mixture. Add the vanilla and beat briefly.

  4. Stir or fold in the blueberries gently. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with the crumble mixture.

  5. Bake 40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

 

Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble is chock full of fresh blueberries in a tender vanilla cake. The cinnamon, brown sugar-based crumble adds both flavor and a pleasing crunchy texture. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of A COLORFUL SCHEME.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble is chock full of fresh blueberries in a tender vanilla cake. The cinnamon, brown sugar-based crumble adds both flavor and a pleasing crunchy texture. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of A COLORFUL SCHEME.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Blueberry Coffee Cake with Crumble is chock full of fresh blueberries in a tender vanilla cake. The cinnamon, brown sugar-based crumble adds both flavor and a pleasing crunchy texture. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of A COLORFUL SCHEME.

 

 

 

Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes

I’m celebrating Jenn McKinlay’s fabulous new cupcake cookbook and sharing one of her equally fabulous cupcake recipes!

 

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Fairy Tale Cupcakes is the fictional bakery in the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries. This long running New York Times bestselling series features childhood friends Melanie Cooper, Angie DeLaura, and Tate Harper as they cook up yummy cupcakes, become embroiled in various shenanigans, and solve murder mysteries in their hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona.

What is not fictional, however, are the cupcakes that they create and bake. From the imagination of Jenn McKinlay and the kitchen of Christie Conlee, these delicious cupcake recipes have been baked and frosted to perfection. And now, for the first time ever, we’re sharing them in a single volume with you. Happy Baking!

 

 

I’m sharing a reprisal of Jenn’s scrumptious Orange Dreamsicle Cupcake recipe from her cozy mystery BUTTERCREAM BUMP OFF. These moist, delicious orange cupcakes are topped with a dreamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Reminiscent of a childhood favorite ice cream treat, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit with young and old alike!

 

Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes are moist, delicious orange cupcakes topped with a dreamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Reminiscent of a childhood favor ice cream treat, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit with young and old alike! Recipe shared with permission granted by Jenn McKinlay, author of BUTTERCREAM BUMP OFF.

 

Print
Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes

An orange cupcake topped with vanilla buttercream.

Ingredients
Cupcakes
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs separated and whites beaten until stiff
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • 4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk or whipping cream
Instructions
Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with paper liners.

  2. Combine butter, sugar, egg yolks, zest and orange extract in a large mixing bowl and cream these ingredients together thoroughly.
  3. Sift flour, salt and baking powder together in a separate mixing bowl.
  4. Add dry ingredients to creamed ingredients a third at a time, alternately with the orange juice.
  5. Fold in the beaten egg whites.
  6. Spoon batter into cupcake liners until half full.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and vanilla extract together. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides of bowl often.

  2. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

  3. For best results, keep icing in refrigerator when not in use. This icing can be stored up to 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.

  4. Makes 3 cups of icing.
Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes:

  1. To make the Dreamsicle frosting swirls, tint 1/4 of the frosting light orange. Fit a disposable pastry bag with a large star tip.

  2. Place 1/3 of the orange frosting down one side of the pastry bag then fill with 1/3 of the remaining vanilla buttercream. Refill pastry bag as needed, until all cupcakes are frosted.

  3. Using even pressure, pipe large swirls onto the top of the cupcakes.
  4. Eggs are easier to separate when they are cold but whip up better when they are room temperature. Separate the egg whites as soon as you remove from the refrigerator but then allow them to come to room temperature while you collect the rest of the ingredients. Then beat the egg whites until stiff right before you need them.

 

Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes are moist, delicious orange cupcakes topped with a dreamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Reminiscent of a childhood favor ice cream treat, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit with young and old alike! Recipe shared with permission granted by Jenn McKinlay, author of BUTTERCREAM BUMP OFF.

 

 

 

 

Click on book to visit Amazon

 

Synopsis:

Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura’s Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery is gearing up for Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, someone has iced Baxter Malloy on his first date with Mel’s mother. Now Mom’s a suspect, and Mel and Angie need to find time around frosting to dig into the man’s shady past and discover who served him his just desserts.

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes are moist, delicious orange cupcakes topped with a dreamy vanilla buttercream frosting. Reminiscent of a childhood favor ice cream treat, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit with young and old alike! Recipe shared with permission granted by Jenn McKinlay, author of BUTTERCREAM BUMP OFF.

 

 

 

Lemon Zucchini Bread

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TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER, is the first book in the brand-new Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns. With humor woven into an intriguing murder and a sassy, social media savvy protagonist, the story kept me glued to the pages. From the very first paragraph, I was entertained by the author’s descriptive voice, which is frequently humorous, and had me laughing out loud several times. After a disastrous wedding with her being left at the alter—livestreamed no less—protagonist Maddy Montgomery finds herself inheriting a bakery, a house, and a giant 250-pound English mastiff named Baby. It’s a far cry from her globe-trotting, pampered lifestyle provided by an overindulgent, but distant, father. This sets the stage for Maddie to find self-reliance as she attempts to fit into an unknown lifestyle in rural New Bison. I enjoyed the learning curve Maddie experiences and the character arc woven into the plot. Ms. Burns does an admirable job of creating memorable characters, besides Maddie, and, by far, Baby, steals each scene he inhabits! I also appreciated the small-town vibes given off by the people who welcome Maddie into their midst, particularly her great-aunt’s friends known as the Baker Street Irregulars. They are quick to jump into action to help her out, no matter the problems that crop up.

But not everyone is happy to see Maddie move into town to take over her great-aunt’s bakery. Pressures mount for her to sell the bakery and her new home, but with the will stipulating she must live in New Bison for a year before taking any actions, she’s stuck. And when the mayor is found murdered in Maddy’s bakery with her fingerprints on the weapon, she becomes suspect number one. This fast-paced whodunit weaves Maddie’s aunt’s demise into the current murder, taking the reader on a whirlwind ride. She finds there are secrets people are loath to part with, but she must uncover them to find the clues to save herself and her aunt’s business. As she begins unraveling the clues, the pressure builds for her to abandon her inheritance. Will she stick it out to find the truth and clear her name or will her former indulgent lifestyle become a siren call she can’t refuse? With a hair-raising reveal, the author answers that question and brings together the threads of the story into a succinct and satisfactory conclusion that has me pleading for more!

While Maddy may not know how to bake, or even cook, her great-aunt left behind her recipes and a capable baker named Leroy to keep the bakery running. Be prepared for many mentions of mouthwatering treats mentioned throughout the book… I think I was drooling almost as much as Baby! Thankfully, the author includes several recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to make at home to satisfy those cravings. I was especially delighted to find a recipe for Lemon Zucchini Bread. Simple to make, the lemon juice gives it a lighter flavor and the lemony glaze makes it taste indulgent. It’s a yummy way to use up summer’s overabundant garden crop and I’ll be making it again and again to share with family and friends.

 

Lemon Zucchini Bread is simple to make. The lemon juice gives it a lighter flavor and the lemony glaze makes it taste indulgent. Recipe shared with permission granted by Valerie Burns, author of TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER.

 

Amazon Synopsis

When Maddy Montgomery’s groom is a no-show to their livestream wedding, it’s a disaster that no amount of filtering can fix. But a surprise inheritance offers a chance to regroup and rebrand—as long as Maddy is willing to live in her late, great-aunt Octavia’s house in New Bison, Michigan, for a year, running her bakery and caring for a 250-pound English mastiff named Baby.

Maddy doesn’t bake, and her Louboutins aren’t made for walking giant dogs around Lake Michigan, but the locals are friendly and the scenery is beautiful. With help from her aunt’s loyal friends, aka the Baker Street Irregulars, Maddy feels ready to tackle any challenge, including Octavia’s award-winning cake recipes. That is, until New Bison’s mayor is fatally stabbed, and Maddy’s fingerprints are found on the knife . . .

Something strange is going on in New Bison. It seems Aunt Octavia had her suspicions, too. But Maddy’s going to need a whole lot more than a trending hashtag to save her reputation—and her life.

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Valerie Burns for providing a print copy of TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER! Contest ends September 7, 2022 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lemon Zucchini Bread is simple to make. The lemon juice gives it a lighter flavor and the lemony glaze makes it taste indulgent. Recipe shared with permission granted by Valerie Burns, author of TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER.

 

Print
Lemon Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup finely shredded unpeeled zucchini (don't squeeze or dry)
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
For the glaze (optional, but why wouldn't you?)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

  2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized mixing bowl and set aside.

  3. Combine sugar, zucchini, cooking oil, egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a separate bowl and mix together.

  4. Add the dry ingredients to the zucchini mixture and stir until just combined.

  5. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan (9"x5").

  6. Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 45 - 50 minutes or until golden brown.

  7. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes, and then remove from pan and cool completely.

Optional Glaze

  1. Combine ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over the bread. If the bread isn't cool, the glaze will soak into the bread and be even more lemony.

 

Lemon Zucchini Bread is simple to make. The lemon juice gives it a lighter flavor and the lemony glaze makes it taste indulgent. Recipe shared with permission granted by Valerie Burns, author of TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

Lemon Zucchini Bread is simple to make. The lemon juice gives it a lighter flavor and the lemony glaze makes it taste indulgent. Recipe shared with permission granted by Valerie Burns, author of TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Lemon Zucchini Bread is simple to make. The lemon juice gives it a lighter flavor and the lemony glaze makes it taste indulgent. Recipe shared with permission granted by Valerie Burns, author of TWO PARTS SUGAR, ONE PART MURDER.

 

 

 

Win a prize pack of 4 books!

 

 

 

I’m pleased to be teaming up with Poisoned Pen Press
with a giveaway featuring all four books in the
East Hamptons Murder Mystery Series
by Carrie Doyle!

One lucky winner will be awarded all four books!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contest ends 8/31/22 and is limited to 18 years and older, residing in the U.S.
Please use the Rafflecopter link below to enter.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Click on images below to visit Amazon:

 

 

The Hamptons are known for beautiful beaches, luxurious living, millionaire mansions, and now…murder! Antonia Bingham, a renowned chef and the new owner of East Hampton’s Windmill Inn, escaped to the Hamptons to get away from a harrowing past. Yet she finds herself in more danger than ever when she learns about a curse that haunts the inn—all previous owners have died suspiciously.

When she’s not cooking sumptuous meals for her guests Antonia digs into the investigation to uncover who’s behind the curse. Could the culprit be a guest at the inn, or is there a killer on the road? And the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to being the next victim—will she solve the case in time to save herself?

 

 

 

 

Brisk walks on the bright chilly beach, cinnamon buns at tea time, blooming forsythia and…murder?

East Hampton innkeeper and chef Antonia Bingham has settled in to town and taken on extra work as an estate manager, giving her entree into some of the area’s most glamorous homes. Once inside, Antonia checks the heat, looks for leaks or damage, and finds the occasional dead body. It’s up to Antonia—a modern day Miss Marple with an adoration of carbs and a kamikaze love-life—to put her skills of deduction to use.

 

 

 

 

 

Despite a busy high-season schedule and an inn booked to capacity, Antonia has agreed to investigate a cold case in her beloved adopted hometown, East Hampton, NY: the killing of Susie Whitaker, whose brutal 1990 slaying on a tennis court in the poshest part of town was never solved.

And the person who has hired Antonia? Prime suspect Pauline Framingham, a manipulative pharmaceutical heiress from a powerful family. As Antonia attempts to unravel the mysteries of the past she unearths even darker secrets and ultimately wonders if it would have been best to let sleeping dogs lie. To make matters worse, past acquaintances and love interests reappear in the Hamptons, disrupting Antonia’s world and causing her to scurry to the fridge for comfort.

 

 

 

 

Antonia Bingham, chef and proprietor of the Windmill Inn, is looking forward to baking goodies for her customers and relaxing after a busy summer. But when a Labor Day visit by two slick Wall Streeters ends with their gruesome deaths in a summer rental house, Antonia gets pulled into the murder investigation!

Soon she’s wading through social media, the local nightclub scene, and other unfamiliar haunts of the young and glamorous, all while managing her inn and restaurant. And the timing couldn’t be worse: Nick Darrow, Antonia’s movie star crush, is back in town and ready for a commitment… while the arrival of Antonia’s sinister ex-husband threatens to bring everything crashing down.

 

 

 

 

I’ve had the pleasure of hosting Carrie on my blog previously, and she shared her recipe for Christmas Crackles. Click below to check out the recipe and read my review on Death on Lily Pond Lane:

 

Christmas Crackles 

 

 

 

 

Banana Cream Pie

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A DISH TO DIE FOR is the twelfth book in the Key West Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette. Filled with endearing characters, mouthwatering food, a tropical locale, and a doozy of a murder, this book will satisfy both armchair detectives and travelers alike. Protagonist Hayley Snow is settling into married life with her detective husband, Nathan, and making their houseboat in Key West a home. Her close friend, octogenarian Miss Gloria, lives next door, and between them, has a menagerie of adorable pets. The author has created a loveable cast of characters that make each book feel you’re visiting with friends. I love the close relationship Hayley has with her friends and family, and am glad that with each book, a new family member is introduced. In this newest release, Hayley’s father-in-law—a retired detective turned consultant—decides to visit the newlyweds. This gives the characters an opportunity to change and grow while giving the reader a glimpse into the psyche of the characters as each conflict is faced.

Set against the backdrop of the Florida Keys, Ms. Burdette captures the tropical spirit of the islands: gentle lapping waves, sandy beaches, seafood dishes, and fruity libations. It draws the reader in, lulling them into a sense of relaxation… that is until murder strikes. And, of course, Hayley, known as the murder magnet, is there when Nathan’s dog finds the victim. Hayley doesn’t plan on getting involved, but when a second attack occurs, she decides it’s time to ask questions. I appreciate that both her husband and her father-in-law don’t tell her to stay home and stay safe. Instead, they recognize her intelligence and pay attention to the information she uncovers. Entwined with the current day murder is a mysterious diary connected to a vintage cookbook. At first, I didn’t see how it was connected at all, but under the expert plotting of Ms. Burdette, it all came together in a cohesive story. The reveal was quite unique and I appreciated the gentle approach the author took. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series and the opportunity to join Hayley and her friends for another Key West adventure!

Being a food critic, Hayley’s life revolves around food. Not only does she visit restaurants galore, but her mother is a caterer, and Hayley herself enjoys cooking. I loved how the author uses the Key West Women’s Club vintage cookbook along with their updated cookbook, not only for the mystery, but for the food and recipes included at the back of the book as well. It’s well worthwhile to read the afterward in the book, along with perusing the recipes. The recipe for Banana Cream Pie caught my eye for the nostalgic memories of eating this dessert as a kid. The author updated the recipe by using a graham cracker crust, which in my mind is brilliant. The vanilla filling is creamy and the ripe bananas added just the right amount of sweetness. I liked the light and fluffy meringue, which was the perfect accompaniment to the rich filling. Chilled, this pie is a nice dessert option for hot summer evenings.

 

This banana cream pie has a rich, vanilla-flavored creamy filling that complements the sweet bananas. With an airy meringue topping, this chilled pie is the perfect dessert for hot summer evenings. Recipe shared with permission granted by Lucy Burdette, author of A DISH TO DIE FOR.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Peace and quiet are hard to find in bustling Key West, so Hayley Snow, food critic for Key Zest magazine, is taking the afternoon off for a tranquil lunch with a friend outside of town. As they are enjoying the wild beach and the lunch, she realizes that her husband Nathan’s dog, Ziggy, has disappeared. She follows his barking, to find him furiously digging at a shallow grave with a man’s body in it. Davis Jager, a local birdwatcher, identifies him as GG Garcia, a rabble-rousing Key West local and developer. Garcia was famous for over-development on the fragile Keys, womanizing, and refusing to follow city rules—so it’s no wonder he had a few enemies.

When Davis is attacked in the parking lot of a local restaurant after talking to Hayley and her dear friend, the octogenarian Miss Gloria, Hayley is slowly but surely drawn into the case. Hayley’s mother, Janet, has been hired to cater GG’s memorial service reception at the local Woman’s Club, using recipes from their vintage Key West cookbook—and Hayley and Miss Gloria sign on to work with her, hoping to cook up some clues by observing the mourners.

But the real clues appear when Hayley begins to study the old cookbook, as whispers of old secrets come to life, dragging the past into the present—with murderous results.

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Lucy Burdette for providing a print copy of A DISH TO DIE FOR. Contest ends August 28, 2022 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This banana cream pie has a rich, vanilla-flavored creamy filling that complements the sweet bananas. With an airy meringue topping, this chilled pie is the perfect dessert for hot summer evenings. Recipe shared with permission granted by Lucy Burdette, author of A DISH TO DIE FOR.

 

Print
Banana Cream Pie

One of the plot strands in A DISH TO DIE FOR has to do with the Woman's Club in Key West, which is a gorgeous old home on Duval Street. I took a tour of the building in the spring of 2021 and was the happy recipient of the 1988 version of their cookbook. I had also found an earlier edition of the book on eBay that had been published in 1949. Oh my, the recipes and stories in those cookbooks had my mind racing with possibilities!

This banana cream pie was served to Hayley and Martha Hubbard while they were probing a suspect. I chose to make a graham cracker crust, but any crust is fine. The recipe is based on the version in the 1988 cookbook.

Ingredients
For the crust:
  • 1 package graham crackers (nine sheets)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
For the filling:
  • 3 eggs, room temperature, separated
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 ripe bananas
For the meringue:
  • 3 egg whites (see above)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
Instructions
For the crust:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

  2. Smash or whirl the crackers to crumbs.

  3. Melt the butter. Stir the butter and sugar into the crumbs and press this mixture into the bottom and sides of a 10-inch pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes and let that cool.

For the filling:

  1. Separate the eggs and set the whites aside. Beat the yolks with the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and cold water until thick and smooth.

  2. Heat the milk until it's about to boil, then cool for a few minutes and stir it very slowly into the egg mixture. Cook this mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the pudding thickens (about 5 minutes). Let that cool a bit and then mix in the vanilla and butter.

  3. Slice the bananas into the pie crust. Spread the pudding on top of the bananas.

  4. For the meringue, beat the egg whites in a clean bowl with the cream of tartar until soft peaks appear. Continue beating while slowly adding the sugar until peaks are stiff and glossy (about five minutes).

  5. Mound the meringue onto the pudding, arranging it into peaks.

  6. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meringue begins to brown.

  7. Refrigerate the pie for 3 hours before serving.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Notes:

  1. If you're not serving this pie soon after chilling for 3 hours, you may want to consider tossing the sliced bananas with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.

  2. The recipe makes a full-sized 10-inch pie. I chose to reduce the recipe and made a 7-inch sized pie to accommodate only having 2 in my household.

 

This banana cream pie has a rich, vanilla-flavored creamy filling that complements the sweet bananas. With an airy meringue topping, this chilled pie is the perfect dessert for hot summer evenings. Recipe shared with permission granted by Lucy Burdette, author of A DISH TO DIE FOR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

This banana cream pie has a rich, vanilla-flavored creamy filling that complements the sweet bananas. With an airy meringue topping, this chilled pie is the perfect dessert for hot summer evenings. Recipe shared with permission granted by Lucy Burdette, author of A DISH TO DIE FOR.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

This banana cream pie has a rich, vanilla-flavored creamy filling that complements the sweet bananas. With an airy meringue topping, this chilled pie is the perfect dessert for hot summer evenings. Recipe shared with permission granted by Lucy Burdette, author of A DISH TO DIE FOR.

 

 

No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

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MINT CHOCOLATE MURDER is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen. I, for one, can’t resist a locked room murder set in an American Scottish castle rumored to have a weeping ghost. Throw in tubfuls of pumpkin spice ice cream amid a Fall arts festival hosted by a reclusive former supermodel turned royal and you’ve got yourself an entertaining and mouthwatering read. The author expertly crafts twists and turns with topsy-turvy secrets thrown into the plot for good measure. It kept me thoroughly mesmerized as I followed the protagonist, Riley Rhodes, in her investigation. An ex-CIA librarian and now manager for her friend’s Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop, Riley uses her training to get to the bottom of who might have killed the famous photographer, Adam, during his exhibit at the castle. The investigation on how Adam even got into the dungeon (now conference room), much less how he was locked in when security cameras show no signs of entry, is only the tip of the complex puzzle. With plenty of suspects—more people hated him than liked him—I found it difficult to narrow it down to even two or three. As the reveal unfolded, I was even more impressed with the cleverly plotted clues and the intricate way they fit together.

With unique characters such as an ex-CIA librarian (or could Riley more than that?!), a supermodel turned royal, a diva in fluffy cat form, and a bad boy photographer, I couldn’t help but be entertained. Each person (and animal, especially Sprinkles the diva cat), was well-developed with individual characteristics that made them come alive. Ms. Allen has a strong descriptive voice that made me feel like I was right there, experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, and especially the tastes of all Penniman, Connecticut has to offer. It’s always a pleasure reading a book that has equally strong characters and plots to keep me glued to the pages, and Mint Chocolate Murder fits the bill!

Running an ice cream shop, Riley has her hands full mixing up ice cream in between investigating. Pumpkin Spice ice cream is the tourists’ and town’s flavor de jour, and she can barely keep up with the demand. Luckily for us pumpkin spice lovers, the author has included a recipe for No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream at the back of the book and it’s every bit as easy to make as promised… and every bit as delicious as it sounds! I appreciated the author’s note on turning the ice cream into an ice cream pie. I did so, and the yummy concoction was met with rave praise. As easy as this was to make, I think I might have found my new favorite Thanksgiving dessert!

 

No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is a delicious and creamy concoction chock full of autumn spices and pumpkin. Served on it's own or turned into an ice cream pie, this dessert is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Recipe shared with permission granted by Meri Allen, author of CHOCOLATE MINT MURDER.

 

Amazon Synopsis

When Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop manager Riley Rhodes is summoned to Penniman’s Moy Mull Castle, it’s the cherry on top of a successful summer season. The gothic pile built by an eccentric New England Gilded Age millionaire has been transformed into a premiere arts colony by Maud Monaco, a reclusive former supermodel. As part of Moy Mull’s Fall Arts Festival, Maud is throwing a fantasy ice cream social and hires Riley to whip up unique treats to celebrate the opening of an exhibit by Adam Blasco, a photographer as obnoxious as he is talented.

As Penniman fills up with Maud’s art-world friends arriving for the festival, gossip swirls around Blasco, who has a dark history of obsession with his models. Riley’s curiosity and instincts for sleuthing – she was a CIA librarian – are piqued, and she wonders at the hold the cold-hearted photographer has over the mistress of Moy Mull.

But when Adam is found dead behind the locked door of Moy Mull’s dungeon, Riley realizes there’s more than one suspect who’d wanted to put the malicious photographer on ice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Meri Allen for providing a print copy of MINT CHOCOLATE MURDER. Contest ends August 21, 2022 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is a delicious and creamy concoction chock full of autumn spices and pumpkin. Served on it's own or turned into an ice cream pie, this dessert is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Recipe shared with permission granted by Meri Allen, author of CHOCOLATE MINT MURDER.

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No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

No ice cream maker? No problem! Make your own ice cream in a pinch - even without an ice cream chiller. I was a bit skeptical of no-churn recipes, but I experimented and came up with one that worked like a charm. This delicious, fall-inspired ice cream is easy to make and even easier to eat.

This makes a wonderful accompaniment for any spice cake or use it as a delicious filling for ice cream pie. Just fill your favorite pie shell and let it firm up in the freezer for six hours and drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.

Ingredients
  • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons plain yogurt (I like Greek or Icelandic) at room temperature
  • 2 cups heavy cream
Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

  2. In another bowl, whisk the yogurt, then slowly pour in the heavy cream and combine, using a hand mixer on low (or a stand mixer, if you have one). Then whip on high until stiff peaks begin to form.

  3. Add half the shipped cream mixture to the sweetened condensed milk and whisk until completely combined. Using a spatula, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream mixture until no streaks remain.

  4. Pour into a freezer safe container and cover. (At this point you can fill a pie shell if you'd like an ice cream pie.) You can use a loaf pan and cover with a layer of plastic wrap topped with tinfoil. Put in the freezer until firm, at least 6 hours, and then enjoy!

No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is a delicious and creamy concoction chock full of autumn spices and pumpkin. Served on it's own or turned into an ice cream pie, this dessert is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Recipe shared with permission granted by Meri Allen, author of CHOCOLATE MINT MURDER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is a delicious and creamy concoction chock full of autumn spices and pumpkin. Served on it's own or turned into an ice cream pie, this dessert is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Recipe shared with permission granted by Meri Allen, author of CHOCOLATE MINT MURDER.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

No Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream is a delicious and creamy concoction chock full of autumn spices and pumpkin. Served on it's own or turned into an ice cream pie, this dessert is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Recipe shared with permission granted by Meri Allen, author of CHOCOLATE MINT MURDER.

 

 

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