Gingerbread Donuts

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DECK THE DONUTS is the sixth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton. With its inviting cover, the reader will be tempted to sit by a roaring fire while nibbling on all the delectable goodies the season has to offer. Cozy characters, chief amongst them protagonist Emily Westhill and her charming feline, Deputy Donut, have contributed to this series becoming a fan favorite. The author’s easy writing style, combined with the “niceness” of Emily, her family, friends, and community, makes it almost improbable that anything bad can happen in the town of Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. But it is a murder mystery after all, and Ms. Bolton does an admirable job of weaving the crime into the holiday setting, complete with a snowstorm and a Frosty the Donut ice snowman sculpture. With a strong descriptive voice, the setting comes to life and the reader will shiver from cold and fright alike.

A stranded tour bus load of passengers brings in a new flux of potential victims and suspects alike to Emily’s small town. When the tour bus driver is found murdered, buried beneath Frosty the Donut, it’s difficult for Emily to not get involved to find out the truth since one of the potential suspects happens to be staying at her house. Even despite the town’s detective (and her best friend and maybe wannabe love interest) asking her to stay safe and let him do his job, she can’t help herself. With twists and turns galore, the path to finding the killer turns out to be as slippery as a ski slope. The reveal caught me off guard but as the strands of the story came together, it all made perfect sense. The final conclusion brings a heartwarming scene with the promise of more good things for Emily and her friends.

Co-owning the Deputy Donut shop with her retired chief of police father-in-law, Emily is always creating and serving up delicious donuts in a wide variety of flavors. Given the Christmas theme, I was pleased to see that Ms. Bolton offers recipes at the back of the book, including one for Gingerbread Donuts. With the usual spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – providing the gingerbread flavor, it was the addition of candied ginger that made these donuts outstanding! The cakelike texture wasn’t overly heavy and the moist interior had a satisfying bite. These gingerbread donuts will surely be a welcome treat after a frosty day spent playing in the snow or for a tasty breakfast to start the day.

 

With the usual spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – providing the gingerbread flavor, it's the addition of candied ginger that make these donuts Gingerbread Donuts outstanding. Recipe shared with permission granted by Ginger Bolton, author of DECK THE DONUTS.

 

Amazon Synopsis

’Tis the season for the delectable desserts Emily Westhill and her cuddly cat serve up at Deputy Donut—but someone naughty on Santa’s list has come to town . . .
 
It’s Christmastime again in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. Emily has truly decked the halls of her donut shop and decorated her donuts with festive designs from green and red frosting to snowflake sprinkles. For the annual Ice and Lights Festival, she’s commissioned a sculpture with three ice-carved donut shapes to form a holey snowman, Frosty the Donut. She has one Christmas wish this year—to spend some time under the mistletoe with a certain detective.

But the holidays just aren’t the same without an unexpected disaster or two. A tour bus on its way to the festival has crashed and a snowstorm has left all the shaken passengers stranded and shivering. Emily and her friends open their homes to shelter the traveling families, while the bus driver is admitted to the hospital for his injuries. But the following morning, Emily discovers his body—buried beneath Frosty the Donut.

The bus passengers show little sympathy for the man who dashed through the snow so badly, some claiming he was under the influence while behind the wheel. Emily also discovers that the driver had a history with folks in Fallingbrook. With multiple motives for murder piling up, it will take a Christmas miracle for Emily to solve this crime . . .

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Ginger Bolton for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of DECK THE DONUTS. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends October 27, 2021 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the usual spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – providing the gingerbread flavor, it's the addition of candied ginger that make these donuts Gingerbread Donuts outstanding. Recipe shared with permission granted by Ginger Bolton, author of DECK THE DONUTS.

 

Print
Gingerbread Donuts

Makes about a half dozen donuts and a half dozen donut holes.

Ingredients
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons powdered ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon candied ginger, chopped fine (Note: Candied ginger near the outsides of the donuts will become crunchy during frying.)
  • 2 egg yolks, beaten
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
  • Vegetable oil with a smoke point of 400 degrees (F) or higher (or follow your deep fryer's instruction manual)
  • Confectioners' sugar or granulated sugar (optional)
Instructions

  1. Sift the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves into one bowl. Stir in candied ginger.

  2. In another bowl, mix the egg, molasses, milk, brown sugar, and melted butter.

  3. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until blended. If necessary, add flour by the tablespoonfuls until dough is just barely firm enough to handle. Do not overmix. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill several hours or overnight.

  4. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with donut cutter or one large round cutter with a smaller round cutter to make a hole in the center. Cover with damp cloth and allow to rest for 1/2 hour.

  5. Heat oil to 360 degrees (F). Gently slip the donuts and donut holes, a few at a time, into hot oil. Do not overcrowd.

  6. Cook for about 2 minutes until puffed and browning, turn, and cook for about one minute. Lift and drain on paper towels.

  7. When cool, sprinkle with confectioners' or granulated sugar if desired.

With the usual spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – providing the gingerbread flavor, it's the addition of candied ginger that make these donuts Gingerbread Donuts outstanding. Recipe shared with permission granted by Ginger Bolton, author of DECK THE DONUTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

With the usual spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – providing the gingerbread flavor, it's the addition of candied ginger that make these donuts Gingerbread Donuts outstanding. Recipe shared with permission granted by Ginger Bolton, author of DECK THE DONUTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

With the usual spices – ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – providing the gingerbread flavor, it's the addition of candied ginger that make these donuts Gingerbread Donuts outstanding. Recipe shared with permission granted by Ginger Bolton, author of DECK THE DONUTS.

 

Essentials of Murder Book Giveaway

 

 

My puppy, Missy, is super excited to have received the print copies of
ESSENTIALS OF MURDER,
and wants to do a GIVEAWAY!!!

Winner’s choice of print, large print, or a Kindle copy of Essentials of Murder!

Please use the Rafflecopter at bottom of page to enter.
Contest ends 10/20/21 and print is limited to U.S. residents only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m also thrilled to announce that I’ll be doing an in-person book signing and
author chat with Daryl Wood-Gerber
on Saturday, October 23, 2021, 3:00 p.m. PDT
at Book Carnival in Orange, California.
If you live in the area I’d love for you to join us!

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

As a bonus, read Chapter 1 for FREE ➾ https://bit.ly/2WVeEAk

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Following a scandal that chased her from San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael struggles to find acceptance in her small Southern California hometown as she opens her aromatherapy  and reflexology shop.

When she finds a man murdered in her distilling room, Carissa becomes the main suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty—including the new leading detective.

Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and her family’s reputation. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.

** If you like your cozies with quirky hometown characters, small-town California charm, recipes, and essential oil and reflexology tips, Book 1 in the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series is for you. Clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.

 

 

BOOK LINKS

Publisher website – https://kindredinkpress.com/titles/essentials-of-murder/

Read Chapter 1 before you buy – https://bit.ly/2WVeEAk

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/ASIN/B09BBLP2C2

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ASIN/B09BBLP2C2

Amazon CA – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/ASIN/B09BBLP2C2

Amazon AU – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/ASIN/B09BBLP2C2

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/essentials-of-murder-kim-davis/1139912711

Apple Books – https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1578537176

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/essentials-of-murder

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58756107-essentials-of-murder

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/essentials-of-murder-aromatherapy-apothecary-cozy-mysteries-book-1-by-kindred-ink-press-and-kim-davis

 

 

 

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Click on the book to visit Amazon

MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES, the third book in the Pen & Ink Mysteries by Krista Davis, is a hauntingly great story that provides just the right amount of shivers to put me in the mood for Halloween! A spooky ambiance via decorations is created, not only in Color Me Read, the bookstore where protagonist Florrie Fox works, but around the neighborhood as well. The author’s descriptive voice brings the ghosts, ghouls, skeletons, and witches to life as neighbors try to outdo each other in creating creepy tableaus. Adding to the spirit of the holiday, Ms. Davis weaves in an element of ghost stories and the paranormal into the mystery. Florrie Fox is a delightful character. She’s inquisitive yet is unobtrusive in her quest for finding answers. Her cheery helpfulness endears her to friends and customers alike. Surrounding her are a cast of entertaining and downright quirky characters. How about a mysterious skull, named Harry, that seems to move about on his own when no one is around? Or Hilda Rattenhorst, a psychic author, who “sees” a foot sticking out of a carpet on her way to the bookstore? These, and many more, make the story a page turner.

Hilda’s insistence that a murder has taken place, leads Florrie on a search to find out if Hilda is merely trying to create publicity for herself, or if in fact, a crime was actually committed. Twists, turns, and shivers abound as the clues unfold. The plot is well-paced and when the body(s) turn up, Florrie delves into who could have done the dastardly deed. With the victims well-known to Florrie and her friends, it seems like the killer might be someone they know. This opens up a list of suspects for Florrie to weed through and readers will be kept on their toes as they follow the clues. With a heart stopping reveal, the spider webs of the plot come together to create a story that’s perfect for a frighteningly good Halloween read!

One of the things you can count on when reading a book penned by Krista Davis is that there will be mouthwatering mentions of food and delightful recipes at the back of the book. Ms. Davis doesn’t disappoint and has included several autumn-themed recipes in Murder Outside the Lines. I decided to try her recipe for Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. First off, I’ll be making a double batch next time and serve some, sans frosting, as muffins for breakfast. With the addition of the cream cheese frosting, these had my taste testers swooning over the delectable little cakes. Rich and moist, the warm flavors hit the mark for bringing to mind chilly fall days and looking forward to jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treaters. Whether you serve these for breakfast, as a snack, or as dessert, your ghosts and ghouls will gobble up every single crumb!

 

Rich and moist, the warm flavors of these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting hits the mark for bringing to mind chilly fall days and looking forward to jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treaters. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES.

 

Amazon Synopsis

With Halloween just around the corner, the fall colors in Georgetown are brilliant. As manager of the Color Me Read bookstore, coloring book creator Florrie Fox has arranged for psychic author Hilda Rattenhorst to read from Spooktacular Ghost Stories. But the celebrity medium arrives for the event in hysterics, insisting she just saw a bare foot sticking out of a rolled-up carpet in a nearby alley. Is someone trying to sweep murder under the rug? Florrie calls in her policeman beau, Sergeant Eric Jonquille, but the carpet corpse has disappeared without a trace. Then in the middle of her reading, Hilda chillingly declares that she feels the killer’s presence in the store. Is this a publicity stunt or a genuine psychic episode? It seems there’s no happy medium. When a local bibliophile is soon discovered missing, a strange mystery begins to unroll. Now it’s up to Florrie and Jonquille to expose a killer’s true colors . . .

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Krista Davis for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, October 17, 2021 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

Rich and moist, the warm flavors of these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting hits the mark for bringing to mind chilly fall days and looking forward to jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treaters. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES.

 

Print
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes 12 regular-size cupcakes

Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon pink sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Pinch of cloves
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup mashed pumpkin
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
For the cream cheese frosting:
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (more if needed)
Instructions
For the cupcakes:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Place cupcake liners in wells of cupcake pan.

  2. Crack the eggs into the bowl of a mixer. Add sugar and dark brown sugar. Beat on slow for several minutes, until thick.

  3. In the meantime, place the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl and stir well with a fork to combine.

  4. While the mixer is running, slowly add the oil. When it is incorporated, on low speed, slowly spoon in the flour mixture. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and mix to combine.

  5. Divide among the cupcake liners, filling each cup three-quarters full.

  6. Bake 20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Test two cupcakes to be sure they are done. The cupcake papers should be pulling away from the pan.

  7. Completely cool the cupcakes on a wire rack before frosting.

For the cream cheese frosting:

  1. Place the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in a mixer and set on high speed.

  2. Lower the speed and gradually add the powdered sugar. Return to high setting and beat for 10 minutes. (You can beat it for a shorter time, but it's creamier if you let it beat longer.)

  3. Frost completely cooled cupcakes. Refrigerate any leftovers.

 

Rich and moist, the warm flavors of these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting hits the mark for bringing to mind chilly fall days and looking forward to jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treaters. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

Rich and moist, the warm flavors of these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting hits the mark for bringing to mind chilly fall days and looking forward to jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treaters. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Rich and moist, the warm flavors of these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting hits the mark for bringing to mind chilly fall days and looking forward to jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treaters. Recipe shared with permission granted by Krista Davis, author of MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES.

 

 

Lindsey’s Signature Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies

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MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF, the second book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah, is another stellar addition to a yummy series! From the scrumptious and inviting cover, to the heart-felt and tender dedication and acknowledgements, to the enchanting Christmas theme, to the delectable Christmas cookie bake-off event, I didn’t want to put the book down until I’d read the very last word. Infused with the spirit of Christmas and a hint of a lighthouse ghost resident, Ms. Hannah brings the magical holiday season to life. With a strong descriptive voice, the reader will feel like they are experiencing the town festivities and the cookie bake-off right alongside protagonist, Lindsey Bakewell, owner of the Beacon Bakeshop in Beacon Harbor, Michigan. With humor sprinkled throughout, Lindsey and her comedic sidekick, Kennedy, provide entertaining repartee which made me feel like I’d like to be a part of their circle of friends. Other supporting characters are just as well-developed and I like that relationships are progressing and changing with each book.

Despite Christmas cheer taking over the town, someone is intent on playing Scrooge and ruining the festivities for everyone. Could it be the egotistical celebrity chef brought into town to judge the cookie competition? Or could one of the contestants be behind the theft of Lindsey’s signature cookies? When a judge is found dead, beneath mistletoe and covered in crumbs from Lindsey’s cookies, fingers point at Lindsey being the culprit. I greatly enjoyed that Lindsey isn’t a lone ranger in trying to solve the murder. Assisting Lindsey is her ex-special forces boyfriend, Rory, her best friend, Kennedy, her parents, and a mysterious elderly woman who swept into town to help Lindsey and her bakeshop. Clues were sprinkled around like cookie crumbs and there were several viable suspects to keep the reader guessing. Twists and turns kept me on my toes yet it was still a surprise at the final reveal. With a heartwarming ending, I’ll be savoring this story throughout the holiday season.

With a Cookie Bake-Off mentioned in the title you can be sure that there are cookies galore mentioned throughout the book. And trust me, there are so many swoon-worthy cookies! Many thanks to Ms. Hannah for indulging the reader by including several Christmas cookie recipes at the back of the book, including one no-bake cookie. With so many choices it was hard to decide on trying just one cookie recipe, but, in the end, I decided on Lindsey’s Signature Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies first. While sandwich cookies are more work than typical cookies, the ending result is pure perfection! A bit crunchy on the edges and soft (and sweet) on the inside, these cookies have a pleasing texture. The unique combination of lemon and ginger is heavenly and a refreshing change from chocolate and heavily spiced Christmas cookies. And while the recipe says the cookies will last one month in the refrigerator, these were so delicious they barely lasted three days in my household. These will become a go-to cookie for special occasions for certain!

 

Chockful of flavor, these Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies are a bit crunchy on the edges and soft and sweet on the insides. Perfection in each bite! Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF.

 

Amazon Synopsis

Tucked away inside an old lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, bakeshop café owner Lindsey Bakewellis ready to make her first Christmas in town shine bright. But her merry plans crumble fast when murder appears under the mistletoe . . .

With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever—winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition . . .

Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake‑off, and she’s not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone’s stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead—and covered in crumbs from Lindsey’s signature cookie!

Solving a murder was never on Lindsey’s wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she’ll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Darci Hannah for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, October 10, 2021 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chockful of flavor, these Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies are a bit crunchy on the edges and soft and sweet on the insides. Perfection in each bite! Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF.

 

Print
Lindsey's Signature Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies

Makes 40 1-1/2-inch sandwich cookies

Ingredients
For the dough:
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from fresh lemon)
  • 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
For the filling:
  • 1-1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
For the dough:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F), place rack in the middle position. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugar, butter, molasses, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon zest. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, then increase the speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes, until butter mixture is soft and light.

  3. Reduce speed to low and add flour and cream. Mix until a nice dough is formed.

  4. Using a teaspoon, scoop rounded portions, dividing dough roughly into 40 equal portions. Cut each portion in half and roll between your hands until smooth. The dough balls will look tiny, but they will spread as they bake.

  5. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving 1-1/2 inch spaces between each.

  6. Bake until cookies are golden brown and firm around the edges, about 7 - 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

For the filling:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine powdered sugar, butter, lemon juice, lemon extract, and salt. Beat until soft and fluffy, about 5 minutes. If frosting is too soft, add additional powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

  2. Transfer filling to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch pastry tip. (If you don't have a pastry bag, you can use a gallon-sized zip-lock bag and cut one of the bottom corners off, enough to make a 1/2-inch hole.)

  3. Since the cookies will be slightly different sizes, match them up in pairs as best as you can. Flip one of the cookies over, pipe a heaping teaspoon of filling in the center, and sandwich with the matching cookie.

  4. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.

 

Chockful of flavor, these Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies are a bit crunchy on the edges and soft and sweet on the insides. Perfection in each bite! Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

Chockful of flavor, these Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies are a bit crunchy on the edges and soft and sweet on the insides. Perfection in each bite! Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Chockful of flavor, these Lemon-Ginger Sandwich Cookies are a bit crunchy on the edges and soft and sweet on the insides. Perfection in each bite! Recipe shared with permission granted by Darci Hannah, author of MURDER AT THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE-OFF.

 

 

Cozy Mystery Prize Package Giveaway

 

 

 

Today, I have a fun surprise to share with you…

 

I’ve teamed up with 40+ fantastic authors to give away a
huge collection of Cozy Mysteries
to 2 lucky winners!

 

Oh, and did I mention the Grand Prize winner gets a
BRAND NEW eReader? 

 

You can win my novel SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION,
plus books from authors like
Hope Callaghan and Gemma Halliday.

Enter the giveaway by clicking here:
https://www.booksweeps.com/giveaway/september-2021/cozy-mysteries/

Good luck!

 

Contest is open to International residents and is administered by BookSweeps. Please enter by October 6, 2021.

 

 

Chocolate Smash Bombs

Click on book to visit Amazon

DESSERT IS THE BOMB, by Catherine Bruns, is the eleventh book in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries. I think this series keeps getting better and better with each installment, which is saying a lot since I’ve loved it from the very first book. At the center is protagonist Sally Muccio Donovan and her zany, loveable family. The characters are what keeps me coming back to the series and this newest addition is no different. While Dessert is the Bomb can be read as a standalone, starting at the beginning will give the reader a greater appreciation of the author’s skills in developing and growing the characters. Each of the core characters are expertly penned with their own individual personalities and mannerisms. I’m especially drawn to Sally’s endearing, always misspeaking common clichéd sayings, grandmother. Some of them have me laughing out loud! Her funeral-home owning, Father of Death blogging father also adds a level of wacky humor.

When Sally’s cookie shop is threatened by Celeste Delgado, the owner of the new It’s the Bomb bakery right across the street, sparks fly. It gets even worse when Celeste inserts herself in between Sal’s parents creating a rift where there had only been unity before. Tempers flare and Sally and her best friend, Josie, are arrested for the murder of Celeste on Halloween night. A new detective in town seems to have it in for the pair. Joining in the effort to find the killer and clear Sally and Josie, are Sally’s grandmother and her elderly Sicilian friend, Nicoletta, who usually has a vendetta against Sally. Twists and turns keep the mystery fast-paced and clues are sprinkled throughout to keep a sharp reader on their toes. With several viable suspects, I was kept guessing throughout the story. As usual, Ms. Bruns has penned an entertaining read that keeps me coming back for more!

Sally and Josie bake up all sorts of tempting treats for the bakery and both agreed that their competitor, It’s the Bomb, also sold delectable desserts before the owner was brutally killed. Luckily for the reader, there are several enticing recipes included at the back of the book to try at home. I was honored when Catherine asked if I would like to come up with a recipe for chocolate smash bombs for the book. I was doubly honored when her designer was able to use my photos of the finished dessert for the cover of DESSERT IS THE BOMB! I stuck to a simple candy smash bomb and decorated it to fit the Halloween theme using candy melts, fondant cutouts, and colored sprinkles. Using your imagination to decorate for any holiday or event and filling with whatever treats you want, makes these a versatile and fun dessert.

 

 

With easy to use candy melts, these fun chocolate smash bombs can be decorated and filled with colors and candies to fit any holiday or theme! Recipe created by Cinnamon & Sugar for Catherine Bruns, author of DESSERT IS THE BOMB.

 

Amazon Synopsis 

Baker turned sometimes-sleuth Sally Muccio has always loved Halloween, but this year she has more on her mind than ghosts and goblins. In addition to catering a party at her wacky father’s funeral home, a competing bakery has just moved in across the street from Sally’s Samples. The new owner, Celeste Delgado, seems intent on burying Sal’s novelty cookie shop into the ground with her sensational smash cake bombs. Suddenly, the homemade fortune cookies that Sal and her best friend Josie create with loving care are predicting an ominous future for their business.

Before Sal can discover what’s behind Celeste’s grudge, the woman is killed by an explosion. To take the cake, Josie was heard threatening Celeste shortly before her death. A night in the slammer, another deadly explosion, and dangerous family secrets all add to Sal’s growing list of concerns. Like an oven timer, precious minutes of her life are ticking away. Can she find Celeste’s killer before everything blows up in her face?

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of DESSERT IS THE BOMB. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, October 3, 2021 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!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With easy to use candy melts, these fun chocolate smash bombs can be decorated and filled with colors and candies to fit any holiday or theme! Recipe created by Cinnamon & Sugar for Catherine Bruns, author of DESSERT IS THE BOMB.

 

Print
Chocolate Smash Bombs
Ingredients
Equipment needed:
  • Small round bowls (equally sized) or specialty small ball pan such as from Wilton
  • Small wooden or rubber food-safe mallets
  • If using fortunes: paper and fine tip edible black pen
For the smash bombs:
  • 2-1/2 ounces chocolate candy melts for EACH 3-inch smash bomb
  • Assorted candies to fit the theme of the holiday or event
For decorating use an assortment:
  • Candy melts in colors to fit the theme of the holiday or event
  • Sparkling sugar in colors to fit the theme
  • Fondant cut out in mini shapes to fit the theme
Instructions

  1. If desired, cut small fortune cookie-sized strips of clean paper. Using a fine tip edible pen, write out fortunes or messages. Set aside.

  2. Melt the chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power in 30 second increments. Stir well after each heat cycle. As they begin to melt, stir to use the residual heat of the bowl to smooth out the chocolate, as much as possible. Do not overheat the chocolate or it will become thick and clumpy. If this happens, try adding a 1/4 teaspoon of vegetable oil at a time, stirring in well to smooth the chocolate out. It sometimes helps.

  3. Using a spoon, spread a thick layer of the melted chocolate into the cavities of the bowls. You will need 2 half spheres per smash bomb. Refrigerate for 10 minutes until chocolate is firm.

  4. If needed, re-melt the leftover chocolate (using the method above) then, using a pastry brush, spread a thin layer over the set chocolate. Refrigerate 5 minutes until firm.

  5. Carefully remove the chocolate half spheres from the molds. Fill half with your choice of candy and a fortune.

  6. Re-melt the leftover chocolate (using the method above) then, using a pastry brush, carefully brush the rim of the empty half sphere with the chocolate. Immediately press into the filled half sphere and align the halves together. If gaps are visible, use your finger or pastry brush to apply extra melted chocolate to fill them in. Refrigerate for 5 minutes until set. Repeat with remaining half spheres. To smooth out the seam, if necessary, dip a spoon in hot water then dry. Using the back of the heated spoon, gently smooth out the seams. Heat the spoon as often as necessary (just be sure to dry it before using) to melt the rough edges of seam into the sphere.

To decorate:

  1. Melt a small amount of candy melt colors to fit your theme. Place in a piping bag (or small ziplock sandwich bag) and snip a small opening. Drizzle over the tops and sides of the spheres, enough to cover the seams. Repeat with additional colors to create layers if desired. Refrigerate until firm.

  2. If desired, use coordinating sparkling sugar colors or sprinkles, and distribute over the drizzled candy melts before it sets.

  3. Alternately, cutout holiday-themed mini shapes from fondant. Using an edible pen, embellish as desired. Moistened the back of the fondant shape with a tiny bit of water to adhere to the spheres.

The fun part:

  1. Using a wooden or rubber food-safe mallet, smash through the chocolate sphere shell and enjoy the treats!

 

With easy to use candy melts, these fun chocolate smash bombs can be decorated and filled with colors and candies to fit any holiday or theme! Recipe created by Cinnamon & Sugar for Catherine Bruns, author of DESSERT IS THE BOMB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

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With easy to use candy melts, these fun chocolate smash bombs can be decorated and filled with colors and candies to fit any holiday or theme! Recipe created by Cinnamon & Sugar for Catherine Bruns, author of DESSERT IS THE BOMB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

With easy to use candy melts, these fun chocolate smash bombs can be decorated and filled with colors and candies to fit any holiday or theme! Recipe created by Cinnamon & Sugar for Catherine Bruns, author of DESSERT IS THE BOMB.

 

 

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