Cinnamon and Sugar

#giveaway Celebrating Cinnamon & Sugar’s 4th Year Blogiversary

I am overwhelmed by gratitude for the many, many wonderful authors and their fans who have made my blog a success! I truly appreciate the generosity of these talented authors who share their books and delicious recipes with the cozy mystery community. You have all inspired me both in the kitchen and in writing my own books!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my journey!!!

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Announcement!

I am thrilled to announce that I recently signed a contract with Blue Ridge Literary Agency to represent my new culinary cozy mystery (tentatively titled), SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION! I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead before it finds a home, but I’m excited about this first step.

Sale!

And to continue the celebration my suspense book, A GAME OF DECEIT, is on sale! Amazon e-book price is $0.99 and print price is $7.99.

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Amazon Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2B7hNid

Contest and sale ends February 10, 2019

Heavenly Hot Fudge Sauce

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HOT FUDGE MURDER, the second book in the Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe Mystery series by Cynthia Baxter is a sweet mystery with lots of yummy, cold treats to whet the reader’s appetite! I greatly enjoyed the way the author starts each chapter with a historical blurb on ice cream. Not only was it entertaining but it was educational. I was also intrigued “watching” how the protagonist, Kate McKay, puzzles over flavor combinations to create new ice cream flavors for her shop, Lickety Splits. So many unique flavors and most of them sound divine! While the ice cream and charming shop provide a relaxing, inviting setting, it’s not long before murder intrudes, disrupting a party Kate has been hired to cater. Worried what it might mean for both her fledgling business and her town’s tourist trade, she knows she must step in and find the killer before financial ruin becomes a reality. Kate isn’t a sophisticated investigator, but her determination to ask questions despite her reluctance is sweet. While I figured out the killer early on, there was a twist to the story that I didn’t expect. This provided great satisfaction to a light-hearted read.

I enjoyed Ms. Baxter’s descriptive voice which helped me visualize the settings and the characters so I felt like I was right there experiencing what Kate was experiencing. I also loved Kate’s relationship with her ‘Grams’ and her niece, Emma. They have an adorable closeness that is heart-warming. She also has a great sidekick in her best friend, Willow. Opposites, they complement each other and provide opportunities for good dialog. The author also sets up potential romances for Kate in future books. Personally I hope she steers clear of the over-done love triangle and allows Kate a realistic relationship. However, one of her potential suitors is from her past and I thought it was a clever way to learn some of Kate’s backstory. While I haven’t had a chance to read the first book in the series, HOT FUDGE MURDER is easily read as a standalone. Ms. Baxter provides just enough information to help the reader connect with the characters without detracting from the main plotline. I look forward to seeing what happens next to Kate and seeing what delectable ice cream flavors she comes up with in future releases!

I’ll admit, I adore ice cream! Anything with chocolate, nuts, or caramel, and I’m in heaven. Fortunately for the reader, there are a couple recipes at the back of the book. One is a sorbet, and it sounds remarkable. While I greatly enjoy that type of frozen dessert, I couldn’t pass up the chance to try Heavenly Hot Fudge Sauce because, well, chocolate! And any kind of ice cream is oh so yummy when drenched in hot fudge. I liked the ease of making this hot fudge sauce in the blender and especially loved the author’s recommendation that it works well for dipping other foods into, like fruit or cake… but I’ll admit I was just as happy eating a spoonful straight from the jar for dessert! I’ll be keeping a jar of this heavenly yumminess in my refrigerator to reward myself with at dessert time and just might share a jar or two with some lucky friends.

One thing the author mentions in her book is Kate’s involvement in food photography. I was more than intrigued when she talks about how mashed potatoes are used to mimic ice cream when photographing, so there’s not the issue of melting. Plus, shaving cream is used in lieu of whipped cream. I had to try it for myself since I’ve struggled with melting dishes of ice cream and trying to run them back and forth from the freezer trying to snap a few photos before running the dish back to the freezer to chill before starting all over again. It worked amazingly well and now that you know my secret…

Amazon Synopsis

Just six weeks after the grand opening of Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe, owner Kate McKay has been enlisted to whip up sundaes at the most decadent soiree in the Hudson Valley. If only Kate knew how deadly sticky her sweet deal will turn out . . .

Once Kate arrives at a glamorous gala hosted by world-famous fashion designer Omar DeVane, she’s instantly intimidated by the mogul’s luxurious mansion and the frosty personalities of his handlers. But the party completely loses its flavor when guests follow screams to a room that’s eerily empty—except for Omar’s freshly murdered body . . .

While the headline-grabbing crime brings a steady stream of journalists to the sleepy village of Wolfert’s Roost, Kate knows things won’t return to normal until Omar’s killer is brought to justice. And with the scandalous case driving customers away from Lickety Splits, she has no choice but to put down the ice cream scooper and expose the culprit on her own . . .

As Kate crashes high-profile photo shoots and mingles with fashion’s biggest influencers in search of clues, the puzzling truth about Omar’s fame and fortune rises to the surface—and with it, the key to his killer’s twisted motive. Kate will have to navigate the celebrity lifestyle to save her fledgling business, but her attempts to freeze cold-hearted criminals in their tracks could lead to a double scoop of deadly trouble . . .

A special thanks to Cynthia Baxter and Kensington for providing a winner with a print copy of HOT FUDGE MURDER. Contest ends Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)

Heavenly Hot Fudge Sauce

The secret to this utterly divine topping is whipping it up in a blender. Not only does beating it improve the texture, adding air to food, anything from carbonated beverages to whipped cream, always makes it taste better.

This hot fudge sauce is fantastic not only on ice cream, but also on pound cake, strawberries, or bananas, or for a chocolate fondue... in fact, there's probably not a single food that couldn't be improved by dipping it in hot fudge sauce!

Be sure to use a better-quality cocoa powder, like Ghiradelli. It may cost a little more, but it's so worth it!

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1/3 - 1/2 cup cocoa powder
2-1/2 cups sugar
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt

Instructions

In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the butter, cocoa, sugar, salt, and evaporated milk. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and let it boil for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the vanilla. Pour the mixture into a blender and blend it for about 3 minutes.
It is best served immediately, but after cooling it, it can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated right before using.

Tip

A jar of this yummy stuff makes a great gift, especially when it's tied with a cute ribbon!

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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pecan Cookies

I’m excited to be participating in the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour introducing GOWN WITH THE WIND! This fourth book in the Wedding Planner Mysteries by Stephanie Blackmoore is the first I’ve read in the series and most certainly not the last. In fact, I’m anxious to start at the beginning and immerse myself in the adventures of wedding planner and B & B owner, Mallory Shepherd. Even though I haven’t read the previous books, I was able to jump in and feel like I knew the characters. Ms. Blackmoore offers enough backstory to make the reader comfortable but never detracts from the ongoing plot. First off the premise of GOWN WITH THE WIND sets up the story with plenty of opportunities for chaos: Mallory has been hired to plan her ex-fiance’s wedding and it is scheduled to be held at her own B & B! Add in a bridezilla, the groom’s mother who is also known as ‘Hurricane’ Helene, stolen valuable Gone With the Wind memorabilia, and an unsolved murder. The pace never lets up and kept me turning pages faster and faster as jaw dropping events filled the story.

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The bride-to-be’s grandmother is a Gone With the Wind enthusiast and the author effectively captures the spirit of the classic and weaves it into the story. There are many memorable characters and I especially liked Pickles, the Maine Coon Cat named as such because he loves to eat pickles. While he holds a minor role, he steals the scenes he is featured in. The unsolved murder mystery from the previous year is effectively woven into the story with the current murder of the bride-to-be’s nemesis. I admired the twists and turns throughout the course of the book and there were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing. The suspenseful reveal wrapped up the threads of the mysteries and provides a satisfying conclusion!

Between running the B & B and hosting weddings, Mallory and her sister, Rachel, provide plenty of mouthwatering dishes for their guests. In keeping with the bride’s Gone With the Wind theme, pecan cookies were baked to serve as treats for the wedding party. I was happy that the recipe was included at the back of the book (including others). However, with only five ingredients I was a little hesitant on how they would turn out… but then my husband (who doesn’t like nuts) took one bite and then consumed several more cookies and I knew I would be making this recipe again and again! These vegan crunchy cookies highlight the best of caramel flavors and buttery pecans and can be served plain or rolled in confectioners’ sugar for an extra burst of sweetness. As another tester said, “These cookies are like crunchy pecan pie!” Either way, friends and family will be happy to have you share these with them!

Amazon Synopsis

Professional wedding planner Mallory Shepard knows her job is challenging under any circumstances. But when the groom is your ex and someone invites murder, there may never be another tomorrow . . .

Mallory’s fine—really—handling the wedding arrangements for her ex, Keith. But his fiancée, Becca, has at the last minute decided to switch from a Japanese-cherry-blossom theme to a Gone with the Wind theme. She wants to honor her ailing grandmother, who owns an impressive collection of GWTW memorabilia—and who is fiercely at odds with the groom’s mother over the nuptial plans.

But among other complications, Becca gets into a fight with an old childhood rival over a replica Scarlett O’Hara wedding gown. She wins the dress—but soon becomes a murder suspect when the other woman is found dead in Becca’s swimming pool. And it’s up to Mallory to solve the mystery behind this unhappy occasion, before a different kind of civil war breaks out . . .

A special thanks to Stephanie Blackmoore for providing THREE print copies of GOWN WITH THE WIND for three lucky winners! Contest ends January 13, 2019 and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The contest is administered by Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and the winner will be announced on this page as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Pecan Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

Grease a cookie sheet and preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Beat coconut oil, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Slowly add flour and pecans. Beat until smooth.
Roll spoon-size portions of dough into balls and slightly flatten.
Bake for 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack and cool completely.

Tip

Use the lightly spoon and level method for measuring the flour. If the dough appears too dry and crumbly to roll into balls, mix in additional melted coconut oil to the dough, 2 teaspoons at a time, until dough is cohesive.
You can roll the warm cookies in confectioners' sugar, or sift the confectioners' sugar over the tops to garnish. I found non-melting confectioners' sugar worked the best (available on the King Arthur Flour website).

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 7 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW
January 7 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
January 7 – Laura`s Interests – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 7 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 8 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
January 8 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE
January 8 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
January 9 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
January 9 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
January 9 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST
January 10 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
January 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 10 – View from the Birdhouse– SPOTLIGHT
January 11 – Varietats – REVIEW
January 11 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT
January 11 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
January 11 – My Journey Back-The Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT
January 12 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW, RECIPE
January 12 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 13 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
January 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST
January 13 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Raspberry Bars

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LIVE AND LET PIE, the ninth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander, is another charming addition to a sweet series! Protagonist Jules Capshaw, owner of the newly expanded and remodeled Torte Bakeshop in Ashland, Oregon, is an easy to love character. She is the type of person you’d want to hang out with and get to know… and if you’re lucky, sample all the yummy goodies she creates in her bakery kitchen! I love the friendships she has developed with her employees and how she freely mentors them to enhance their talents. She also has a very close relationship with her mother which is endearing. The story starts out after the marriage of Jules’ mother to the town’s detective, The Professor. Jules wasn’t sure about her mother moving forward but has learned to love and respect her new stepfather. I enjoy how the author continually gives the characters new learning experiences to expand their personal growth and I find it touching how emotional interaction is brought to some of the scenes.

While the delightful characters bring readers back to the series again and again, Ms. Alexander also provides a compelling murder mystery to intrigue us. She does provide a lot of setup before the cold case murder is brought to light but once Jules’ investigation starts, the plot moves forward with many twists and turns. She creates an interesting scenario with the connection between the decades-old victim and the murder victim that happens right after the first gruesome discovery. Jules’ investigation uncovers surprising conflicts surrounding the lack of housing and land available in the town. Ms. Alexander also touches on the plight of homelessness, especially homelessness affecting families. This hidden social issue is heart wrenching but the author treats the subject with sensitivity.

The reader will savor the descriptions of yummy foods coming from the kitchen of Torte and thankfully Ms. Alexander provides several recipes at the back of the book. I was drawn to the Raspberry Bars because you can use either frozen or fresh raspberries, making this an ideal dessert year-round. The crunchy brown sugar crust is layered with simple raspberries and then topped with a gooey-chewy nut and coconut layer for a satisfying treat!

Amazon Synopsis

Life is sweet once you step into Torte, everybody’s favorite small-town bakeshop. But what happens when it becomes the scene of a crime?

The heat is on for pastry chef, family business operator, and unlikely sleuth Jules Capshaw. Just when she thought she could enjoy some time away from the kitchen, Jules manages to discover a skull during a picnic by the lake. As if unearthing remains that may be connected to a missing-persons case from the 1960s isn’t enough on her plate, Jules must contend with the unsolved matter of her own marriage while her estranged husband Carlos sails the open seas, awaiting a verdict. Then there’s Jules’s bitter landlord Edgar, who is intent on making a sweet deal on a vacant lot down the block from Torte―until he turns up dead. If only Jules could find a recipe that would let her bake her cake and eat it, too…

A special thanks to Ellie Alexander for providing a winner with a print copy of LIVE AND LET PIE plus some Torte swag. Contest ends Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)

Raspberry Bars

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/3 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 package frozen raspberries (thawed and drained). If fresh raspberries are in season, Jules highly recommends using them!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
Sift 1-1/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Stir in lemon juice.
Add to flour and mix until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Press into a greased 7" x 11" baking pan.
Bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
In a new mixing bowl, combine eggs, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and vanilla. Stir in nuts and coconut.
Spread raspberries over cooled crust and then pour the egg mixture over the raspberries.
Bake for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

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Tim’s Cranberry Orange Bread

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MURDER ON CAPE COD is the first book in the brand new Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series by Maddie Day. This delightful book introduces us to protagonist MacKenzie “Mac” Almeida, owner of Mac’s Bikes, which caters to tourists visiting the quaint town. I admire Mac for being super handy and she not only runs her business but also does the bike repairs herself. I also enjoy the way the author portrays women succeeding in traditionally male-dominated roles in this new book. Ms. Day has created a great cast of supporting, loveable characters for Mac. I adore her grandmother, who is ready to jump in and help Mac out, despite having a busy life. She has supportive parents and her brother, Derrick, is a single dad raising his young daughter. It’s heartwarming to see the family pull together to raise the darling little girl. Another character that steals the pages she is featured on, is Mac’s African Grey Parrot. The bird’s amazing vocabulary brings humor in each scene.

When Derrick is accused of murdering a down-on-his-luck man, Mac and her cozy mystery book club comes together to help clear his name. I loved that one of the club’s members is the town’s former Chief of Police. While he doesn’t solve the crime, he does provide some guidance for the amateurs. It’s entertaining how the group relies on tips and tricks they’ve gleaned from cozy mysteries in order to investigate and follow along as they hunt for the killer. The author provide lots of books and author mentions on the pages and I found it a great way to add to my TBR list. Like a good cozy mystery, the author provides plenty of suspects that must be scrutinized and there are some emotional subplots that add to the depth of the story. The exciting conclusion brought all the threads together for an entirely satisfactory read!

Mac’s boyfriend, Tim, runs a bakery and likes to share his delicious treats. He bakes a delectable Cranberry Orange Bread which Ms. Day provides the recipe for, along with other yummy dishes. I appreciated the use of fresh (or frozen) cranberries, versus the usual dried cranberries. The tartness of the cranberries combined with the zing of fresh orange zest and juice brings a refreshing taste and the added crunch of nuts brings a delicious texture to this not-too-sweet breakfast bread. I appreciated that the recipe doesn’t over-do the vegetable oil and instead relies on the fruit and buttermilk for both flavor and moistness. This Cranberry Orange Bread is delicious on its own or add a smear of butter or cream cheese and settle in to enjoy with a piping hot cup of tea or coffee!

Goodreads Synopsis

A Cape Cod shop owner and her book club must find a crafty killer in this charming new series from the Agatha-nominated author of the Country Store Mystery series.

Summer is busy season for Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida’s bicycle shop, nestled in the quaint, seaside hamlet of Westham, Massachusetts. She’s expecting an influx of tourists at Mac’s Bikes; instead she discovers the body of Jake Lacey. Mac can’t imagine anyone stabbing the down-on-his-luck handyman. However, the authorities seem to think Mac is a strong suspect after she was spotted arguing with Jake just hours before his death. Mac knows she didn’t do it, but she does recognize the weapon—her brother Derrick’s fishing knife.

Mac’s only experience with murder investigations is limited to the cozy mysteries she reads with her local book group, the Cozy Capers. So to clear her name—and maybe her brother’s too—Mac will have to summon help from her Cozy Capers co-investigators and a library’s worth of detectives’ tips and tricks. For a small town, Westham is teeming with possible killers, and this is one mystery where Mac is hoping for anything but a surprise ending…

A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing a winner with a print copy of MURDER ON CAPE COD. Contest ends Friday, January 4, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. 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!)

Tim’s Cranberry Orange Bread

Mac Almeida’s boyfriend, baker Tim Brunelle, makes this yummy quick bread for Greta’s Grains. Bake a day ahead of time for easiest slicing.

Ingredients

2 cups unbleached white flour
3/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one orange. If juice doesn’t equal 3/4 cup add orange or cranberry juice to supplement
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9”-x-5” loaf pan with butter.
Chop cranberries in a food processor or by hand.
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Make a well in the center and stir in the egg with a fork. Add the orange zest, juice, buttermilk, oil, cranberries, and nuts, and stir until just mixed. Do not beat or overmix.
Pour batter into the loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until a knife or toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean and the bread starts to pull away from the edges of the pan. Remove it from the oven and let cool on rack for fifteen minutes, then turn it out of the pan to cool completely.
Enjoy with butter or cream cheese and a cup of your favorite coffee.

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A Wrench in the Works Audible Giveaway

A huge thank you to Kate Carlisle for providing an Audible copy of the new release, A WRENCH IN THE WORKS, to one lucky winner!

Contest is now closed

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I’m re-sharing my review of the book along with the recipe originally posted in November:

A WRENCH IN THE WORKS, the sixth book in the Fixer-Upper Mysteries by Kate Carlisle, is an entertaining addition to a delightful series! Protagonist Shannon Hammer’s sister, Chloe, is the co-star of Make-Over Madness on the Home Builders Network. Chloe has brought the show to Lighthouse Cove for a feature on Victorian houses (something Lighthouse Cove is famous for) and has talked Shannon into being on the program renovating a decrepit home. I loved the “behind-the-scenes” tricks on the do-it-yourself home renovation television show and the author has cleverly woven her plot into the filming of the segments. The reader is also introduced to words and techniques used to restore the historical homes. I enjoyed learning about the various tools, Victorian styles, and repairs that are used without it detracting from the story.

The book has everything you might think a reality tv program might have from a tyrannical producer to jealousy over stardom to flirtations to comradery between the staff. When the producer is found murdered, Chloe is immediately a suspect since she had been fired and was heard loudly arguing with the victim. Shannon wants to help but finds her sister has been harboring a long-time secret. It doesn’t help that Chloe had been on the wrong side of the law in her youth and has a strong mistrust of authority. Ms. Carlisle weaves in family relationships and I loved seeing Shannon and her sister learn to overcome the past and the secrets that kept them apart. This subplot adds an emotional depth to the story. There are enough suspects to keep it interesting and the pace of the plot moves quickly, keeping the storyline flowing. I had a hard time putting the book down when it was time to tend to other responsibilities and I found myself trying to find time to squeeze in ‘just one more chapter’. I am counting down the days until the next installment in the Fixer-Upper Mystery series!

While this book doesn’t have recipes, Emily, the town’s caterer, provides many yummy treats for the television crew to munch on during the shoots. One of the goodies Emily provides is Cream-Filled Maple Bars. Shannon almost swoons from the ‘intoxicating blend of luscious creamy custard, fluffy doughy wonderfulness, and maple sugared yumminess!’ So I set about to develop my own recipe that would make Shannon and Emily proud to serve. While these are quite a bit of work, the results are oh so yummy! Sweet yeast dough is deep-fried until golden brown and then filled with a creamy vanilla filling. Pure maple syrup brings loads of flavor to the thick icing for the finishing touch. Whether you like coffee, tea, or a big glass of ice cold milk, these Cream-filled Maple Bars will make breakfast or break time delicious!

Amazon Synopsis

Contractor Shannon Hammer has to dig through murder suspects in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Eaves of Destruction and Once Upon a Spine.

Don’t miss the Hallmark Movies & Mystery Originals starring Jewel, based on the Fixer-Upper Mystery series!

Shannon Hammer’s younger sister Chloe left Lighthouse Cove after high school to make it big in Hollywood. And she did it! For several years now, Chloe has been the co-host of a popular home repair show on the Do-It-Yourself Network. Now, after ten years, Chloe returns to Lighthouse Cove with her crew and co-host to film several shows featuring her sister Shannon, along with some special mini-segments on Victorian style and design.

But Shannon realizes quickly that things are not exactly blissful in TV land. Her sister’s handsome co-host is being stalked by someone who turns out to be his estranged wife, Erica–who also happens to be the executive producer of the show. Erica’s got a knack for stirring up sticky situations and when she’s found dead, Chloe and the entire crew are under suspicion.

Shannon soon discovers the real reason why Chloe was so eager to move away from Lighthouse Cove all those years ago. Can Shannon figure out if that ten-year-old secret is connected to Erica’s death? And can she track down the real killer before her beloved sister becomes the next victim?

A special thanks to Kate Carlisle for providing an audible copy of A WRENCH IN THE WORKS. Contest ends Sunday, December 30, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Cream-Filled Maple Bars

Ingredients

Donuts

4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup warm water (103 - 106 degrees F)
1 cup warm whole milk (103 - 106 degrees F)
1/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil

Cream Filling

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
1-1/2 cups cold milk
1/2 cup Cool Whip

Maple Glaze

3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
2 - 4 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Donuts

Place water, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a standing mixture and allow to sit until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
With a dough hook, mix in the butter, remaining sugar, salt and egg, then slowly pour in the warm milk. Add 3 cups of the flour. Once the flour has been incorporated, add in additional flour until the dough is tacky but not overly sticky.
Once the flour is incorporated, knead on low speed for 3 minutes then cover and let rise until doubled, about one hour.
Once doubled, punch down the dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle (about 12-inches x 8-inches).
Cut into small rectangles (3-inches x 1-inch). Place on parchment-lined baking sheets (6 donuts per sheet). Cover and let rise until double, around 30 minutes.
Pour vegetable oil, 3-inches deep, into a pot. Heat oil to 350 degrees (F) then place 3 donuts into the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Flip over and fry until browned. Remove and allow to cool on paper towel-lined wire racks. Repeat with remaining donuts. Cool completely before filling.

Cream Filling

While the dough is rising, place the instant pudding into a bowl and whisk the cold milk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Fold in the Cool Whip. Refrigerate until the donuts have cooled completely.
Place cream filling into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (or in a ziplock bag with the corner slightly snipped). Poke a hole in the short end of a donut and pipe the filling into the donut. Repeat with remaining donuts and filling.

Maple Glaze

Place the confectioners' sugar into a medium-sized bowl. Whisk the maple syrup into the sugar along with the maple extract. Stir in 2 tablespoons milk. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until glaze reaches desired consistency.
Spread over the filled donuts and serve.

Notes