Cinnamon and Sugar

Strawberry Smash Muffins

I’m always excited to find that a new series has just started especially one that’s centered around strawberries…my most favorite fruit! DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES, the first book in the Berry Basket Mystery series by Sharon Farrow, starts off with a bang and will keep you turning pages!

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Amazon Synopsis

Much has changed for Marlee Jacob since she returned to Oriole Point, Michigan, three years ago. Between running the Berry Basket, dodging local gossip, and whipping up strawberry muffins, smoothies, and margaritas to celebrate the town’s first annual Strawberry Moon Bash, the twenty-nine-year-old hardly has time for her fiancé, let alone grim memories of her old life in New York . . .

But unfortunately for Marlee, Oriole Point is muddled with secrets of its own. First her friend Natasha disappears after an ominous dream. Next the seediest man in town threatens to crush her business. Then an unknown person nearly kills her on the night of the Bash. When she discovers a dead body while searching for Natasha, Marlee realizes she’ll have to foil a killer’s plot herself—before the past permanently stains her future.

My Review

From the moment I saw the cover art on this new book and then heard that subsequent books would be centered around a variety of berries (the author shared that book two will be blackberries!) I knew Sharon Farrow had found a winning combination! I like how the protagonist, Marlee, is already established in town with her business, The Berry Basket, instead of starting brand new. This gives a wider variety of supporting characters to interact with and gives greater insight into who Marlee is. The author includes a bit of humor such as Marlee Jacob’s name, which is a riff on the character from A Christmas Carol. The mystery and subplots are nicely woven together which adds to the appeal of this book. Marlee is the only one who shows concern for the disappearance of her friend, Natasha, who was being abused by her husband. The author brings the issue of domestic abuse to the forefront and I admire how social issues are being addressed in books to bring awareness which will hopefully facilitate change for the better.

I was delighted to find out that not only was there a story centered around strawberries but the author includes several yummy strawberry recipes! Sharon graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Strawberry Smash Muffins. Lots of fresh, glorious strawberries go into an easy to mix up batter and bake up golden brown. I love how they are light on calories but heavy on deliciousness and make the perfect treat to grab for an on the go breakfast or snack!

A huge thank you to Sharon Farrow for providing an autographed copy of DYING FOR STRAWBERRIES for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Strawberry Smash Muffins

Ingredients

These are the muffins that tempted the poor boy Marlee saved after he suffered an allergic reaction to strawberries. For those who aren't allergic, bake and enjoy! Since each muffin is less than 180 calories, these are a guilt-free treat as well.

Ingredients

1-2/3 cups fresh strawberries, rinsed and stems removed
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees (F).
Line the cups of a 12-cup muffin tin with paper cups or grease the cups.
Smash the strawberries in a large bowl with a fork.
Stir in the sugar, oil, and eggs, and mix well.
Add the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and mix until moistened.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the muffins are light golden brown or a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean.

Tip

If fresh strawberries aren't in season, you can use frozen strawberries. Be sure to completely thaw them and thoroughly drain before using.

Makes 12 muffins.

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Bananas Foster Coffee Cake a la Ninette

I recently had the pleasure of not only meeting author Ellen Byron at the Ladies of Intrigue in Huntington Beach, but also sitting at her table during the conference and luncheon. I was intrigued (pun intended..lol!) with her Cajun Country Mystery series and picked up her latest release, BODY ON THE BAYOU. I was instantly transported to the Pelican State and into a locale that exudes the charm of the South.

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Synopsis

Magnolia Marie Crozat, aka Maggie, has been drafted to serve as Maid of Honor to Doucet Plantation’s co-docent, Vanessa Fleer. Maggie would rather skip being a part of the very pregnant bride-to-be’s festivities but feels sorry for the young woman. She also hopes it will give her a chance to smooth things out with the Crozat family’s arch-enemy and soon-to-be groom, Police Chief Rufus Durand. Unfortunately, nothing goes according to plan and Maggie is soon scrambling to host parties for the bridal couple and house the bride’s obnoxious cousin, Ginger, at the Crozat family’s B & B.

When Ginger is found dead in the bayou on the Crozat B & B’s property, Maggie knows she need to find the real killer since Rufus Durand would like to pin the murder on her family. But as she starts asking questions and digging into Ginger’s life, she finds too many people hated her, including Ginger’s own cousin, the bride-to-be, Vanessa. Maggie’s Maid of Honor duties now include keeping the bride out of jail and getting her to the church on time. Will she be able find the the murderer or will the wedding plans be derailed?

My Review

While this is the second book in the series (and yes, I will be reading the first one!) it was easy to read as a standalone. Ellen provides just enough backstory so I felt like I knew the characters and never got lost. The small town setting of Pelican, Louisiana, will draw you in and make you feel like you’re in bayou country. Local Cajun traditions, superstitions, and names are sprinkled throughout the book adding flavor to a fun, zany at times, read. Maggie has a very close, loving relationship with her family which includes both her parents and her grandmother. They work well together running the family’s B & B. Maggie also has a romance simmering with Detective Bo Durand, but with the bad blood between his cousin, Rufus, and her family, they keep it hidden. Bo has a young non-verbal autistic son who blossoms with Maggie’s art tutoring. The scenes are heartwarming and the subplots blend in with the mystery without detracting.

Along with an authentic setting and charming characters, Ellen provides a few delectable recipes with her book. She’s allowed me to share her recipe for Bananas Foster Coffee Cake a la Ninette (who is Maggie’s mother). I, for one, did not realize that Bananas Foster was created in New Orleans! This recipe foregoes the dramatic flambé but still offers plenty of flavor with a rich, moist coffee cake and a cinnamon-spiced crunchy topping. Both my husband and granddaughter (independently) did not want to try this dish since they don’t care for bananas in breads or cakes. However, I insisted they had to take one bite….which instantly changed their minds and they oohed and aahed over its yumminess! I had to limit how much they munched on since other people wanted to eat the coffee cake too. Easy to put together with pantry staples and a few ripe bananas, Bananas Foster Coffee Cake a la Ninette is the perfect dish for a holiday breakfast or brunch!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

I am happy to be able to provide an autographed hardcover copy of BODY ON THE BAYOU for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Monday, November 21, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Bananas Foster Coffee Cake a la Ninette

Ingredients

Author's Note: Bananas Foster is an iconic New Orleans dessert created in 1951 by a chef at the legendary Brennan's Restaurant and named after a friend of restaurant owner Owen Brennan. The original dish is flambéed bananas served over vanilla ice cream. Many cooks have created unique recipes inspired by the original dessert, including Ninette.

Cake

3 ripe bananas, sliced
6 tablespoons butter, divided (3 at a time)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 ounces dark rum
1 ounce banana liqueur (note: if you don't have this, use 3 ounces rum)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups Bisquick baking mix

Streusel

2/3 cup Bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cold butter or margarine

Instructions

Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F), with rack at center level of the oven.
Spritz an 8" x 8" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat.
Add the dark brown sugar and stir to combine.
Add the rum and banana liqueur and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring often to blend the ingredients and keep them from crystallizing.
Add the banana chunks and cook for 2 - 3 more minutes, gently stirring to coat the bananas with the thickening liquid.
Scrape the caramelized banana mixture into a medium heatproof bowl.
Use your spatula to break up the bananas into small pieces (but don't mash them into pulp.)
Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter until melted, then add the vanilla.
Let the mixture cool down until moderately warm, then quickly whisk in the eggs.
Place the 2 cups of Bisquick in another medium-sized bowl and add the wet ingredients. Stir together.

Streusel

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, then cut in the butter. Use a pastry blender to combine ingredients until the streusel is crumbly.

To Put It All Together

Put half the cake batter in the cake pan.
Top with half the streusel.
Top that with the rest of the cake batter and then cover that with the rest of the streusel.
Bake for 35 - 45 minutes, until the center is firm.
Serves 6 - 8.

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Molly’s Double Chocolate Cookie Bars

I always love finding new books to read and I was happy when I picked up the newest release in Betty Hechtman’s Crochet Mystery series, HOOKING FOR TROUBLE. Even though I have not read any in this series and this is the eleventh book (boy do I have a lot of catching up to do!) it was an enjoyable, fun read!

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Synopsis

Molly Pink is an event coordinator and assistant manager at Shedd & Royal Books and More in San Fernando Valley, Southern California. She has organized the Tarzana Hookers, a group of crocheters who meet at the shop and work on projects for charities. Celebrity Cheyenne Chambers has just moved in next door to her house and Molly thinks she witnesses domestic abuse occurring so calls her ex-boyfriend, Detective Barry Greenberg. When Barry investigates he finds no evidence of wrong doing and tells Molly to mind her own business. But she can’t and late at night she’s certain she sees a dead body lying in the yard below the celebrity’s balcony. When Barry shows up again to investigate, the nanny shows him that the “body” is nothing more than a chaise lounge cushion.

Barry warns Molly to leave things alone but she’s certain she knows what she saw. When Cheyenne and her sister join the shop’s crochet group, Molly determines to ask questions and get to the bottom of things. She finds out that the Chambers’ nanny took a leave of absence with no notice, right after the detective showed up. No one seems concerned but Molly is still certain there was foul play. However, as her best friend says, “How can you find a body when you don’t even know who you’re looking for?” Undeterred, Molly continues her search for answers while helping organize a musical event at the shop featuring Cheyenne Chambers and Molly’s own mother. She’s also in the middle of helping two friends plan their weddings. Can she stay focused and solve the mystery proving Barry wrong, or will she get tangled up in the activities and follow the detective’s advice to leave well enough alone?

My Review

I grew up watching my grandmother crochet all evening long whether she was watching tv or chatting with family. There is a certain mesmerizing rhythm to crocheting (and knitting) that can be soothing and Betty Hechtman manages to convey that feeling throughout the book, even with a murder mystery taking place. The plot surprised me and stepped outside the usual format which kept me guessing, erroneously, which way the twists and turns where heading. It’s the kind of story that kept me turning pages late into the night to find out what happens next. While the characters were new to me, it was easy to jump in and figure out who was who without being distracted. The bits of backstory and the writing is concise without being distracting. I enjoyed Molly’s entertaining mother, who adds lots of fun to the subplots, along with her friends who both inspire and challenge.

While the crocheting bug never grabbed me (I tried but didn’t have the patience to stick with it) Betty has included a scarf pattern at the back of the book that sounds delightful. She also has a couple of recipes included and has graciously allowed me to share the recipe for Molly’s Double Chocolate Cookie Bars. Oh my, a chocolate lover’s dream cookie! Rich cocoa powder flavors the dough while dark chocolate chunks provide creamy melt-in-your mouth yumminess and walnuts add a nice crunchy contrast. I liked that the dough bakes in a jelly roll pan, creating lots of small bars for a group, while not taking as long to bake as baking sheets of cookies. This recipe is perfect for upcoming holiday parties or for sharing with family and friends to celebrate the season!

A huge thank you to Betty Hechtman for providing an autographed copy of HOOKING FOR TROUBLE for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Molly’s Double Chocolate Cookie Bars

Ingredients

2-1/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
4.5-ounce dark chocolate bar broken into small pieces
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
Combine sugars and cocoa powder in a small bowl.
Using an electric mixer, cream butter and then gradually add the sugar and cocoa mixture.
Add vanilla extract. Beat until blended.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Gradually beat in flour mixture.
Stir in chocolate pieces and nuts.
Line a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
Spread batter in pan and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Cool in pan on a wire rack.
Cut into bars. Makes 48 cookie bars.

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Matthew’s Crock-Pot Marinara Meatballs

A library, a murder, good food, and a little romance… BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, the new release by Jenn McKinlay in the Library Lover’s Mystery series, has all the ingredients for a highly entertaining read!

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Synopsis

Briar Creek’s library director, Lindsey Norris, has instituted the first ever amnesty for returning overdue books and forgiving fines. Lindsey and her staff are totally unprepared for the amount of books that are returned and as they sift through the piles they find a book that had been checked out twenty years ago. Ms. Cole, who has been working at the library for decades, searches her old records and finds that Candice Whitley, a local high school teacher, had checked the book out…on the day that she was murdered!

Since the case was never solved, Lindsey takes the book to Police Chief Emma Plewicki, thinking the murderer might have been the one to turn it in. The police are interested in looking into it but have their hands full with a rash of burglaries that have been going on. Lindsey feels a deep seated need to find the answers to who killed Candice and find justice for the well liked teacher. She uses her library research skills to ask questions and dig deeper into the twenty-year-old mystery. Will she be able to peel the layers of the past away and find the killer or will their identity remain buried in the lies and secrets that have protected them all those years?

My Review

There are so many things to enjoy about BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Jenn McKinlay weaves a tight tale of murder that happened twenty years before while Lindsey tries to solve it in the current day. The time span poses challenges but Jenn handles it effortlessly creating a plot that flows. The protagonist is surrounded by memorable characters, from her best friend, Beth, to elderly Ms. Cole who doesn’t like how Lindsey runs the library and is quick to let her know. And then there’s her love interest, Captain Mike Sullivan, aka Sully. Lindsey isn’t sure where she stands in their relationship and wants to take it slow and Sully is not one to talk about feelings. Can they move beyond their first botched attempt at romance or will misunderstandings keep them apart? Their relationship, while a subplot of the book, adds a certain sweetness to the story. Besides an entertaining read, Jenn writes with a laugh out loud flair. I loved her description of OMC Syndrome (One More Chapter)…and if you read this author’s books you’re bound to suffer from it too!

One of the programs that Lindsey has instituted at the Briar Creek Public Library is the Crafternooners, which is a group of people who meet to eat, discuss books, and do a craft. The author includes recipes, a craft, and a book discussion guide at the back of the book just like the Crafternooners use. I enjoyed the inclusion of these extras and especially like the recipes. One of the new members of the Crafternooners, Matthew, brings a dish of meatballs to one of the meetings. Jenn has graciously allowed me to share the recipe for Matthew’s Crock-Pot Marinara Meatballs. I’m always on the lookout for new slow cooker recipes and this one will definitely go into my rotation — it’s that good and it’s that easy! Starting with a marinara sauce that uses pantry staples and whirls up quickly in a blender to throwing a few delicious ingredients into a bowl, mixing and forming meatballs, and then combining them in a Crock-Pot. No messy frying or pre-baking and no extra pots and pans to clean up… just lots of flavorful, homemade taste without the hassle!

A huge thank you to Jenn McKinlay for providing an autographed hardcover copy of BETTER LATE THAN NEVER for one lucky winner! Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Matthew’s Crock-Pot Marinara Meatballs

Ingredients

Marinara Sauce

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
1 (14.5 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 bay leaves
36 meatballs, uncooked (recipe below)

Meatballs

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup red wine, such as Chianti
1/4 cup fresh-grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Instructions

Marinara Sauce

In a large blender, combine all the ingredients except the bay leaves and the meatballs.
Blend until your sauce is the consistency you prefer, chunky or smooth.
Pour half of the sauce on the bottom of the Crock-Pot. Put aside remaining sauce to pour on top of the meatballs.
Place uncooked meatballs in Crock-Pot.
Pour sauce on top, until covered.
Add bay leaves.
Cover and cook on high for 3 - 4 hours, or low for 6 - 8 hours.
Remove bay leaves before serving.

Meatballs

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients until well blended.
Roll the mixture evenly into 36 meatballs.

Tip

Serve meatballs and sauce over your favorite pasta or on hearty hoagie rolls. These also make amazing appetizers and the Crock-pot keeps them warm as people help themselves.

https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/crock-pot-marinara-meatballs/

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Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

I’m very happy to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for the brand new release, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE GUACAMOLE by Rebecca Adler! From the moment I read the title and saw the cover I knew I wanted to dip into this book.

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Synopsis

Josie Callahan has moved back to Broken Boots after being abandoned at the alter by her fiancé. Trying to forget her humiliation she takes a job as a journalist for the Broken Boot Bugle and to help make ends meet, works at her family’s restaurant, Milagro. When country western performer, Jeff Clark, comes to town for the Homestead Days Musical Festival, Josie has her hopes up for a killer interview. After all her best friend, Patti, used to date Jeff and it appears they might be rekindling the romance. When Jeff Clark blows off their interview, Josie tracks him down and finds him dead, face down in a bowl of guacamole in Patti’s house.

The police arrest Patti after her fingerprints were found all over the murder weapon and a witness claims they heard Patti and Jeff violently arguing late the night before. Despite what the police say, Josie is positive her friend is innocent. Using her journalistic skills, she starts asking questions hoping to track down the real killer and free her friend. Plus it wouldn’t hurt her career to scoop the story for her newspaper. But the more questions she asks the more people she finds wanted Jeff out of the way. Can Josie sift through the clues and suspects or will the real killer salsa away while her friend takes the fall?

My Review

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE GUACAMOLE did not disappoint! I loved Josie’s relationship with her aunt, uncle, and grandmother, Señora Mari. She’s been raised by her relatives after her parents died in an accident when she was twelve and it’s obvious that Josie has a very close bond with them. They also provide a bit of comedic relief with their meddlesome antics, especially Señora Mari, who while appearing gruff on the outside, has a heart of gold. Josie’s Chihuahua, Lenny, is a nice sidekick for her and I would dearly love to read Lenny’s blog! And then there is her best friend, Goth princess Patti Perez. While some folks might look at the exterior of Patti and only see a hardened gal, the author helps us see below the surface and get to know the real person. A good lesson in real life not to judge people based on their appearance alone!

Rebecca provides a satisfying mystery to whet your appetite for more, with plenty of suspects drawn from both the townspeople and the band’s roadies. The dialog is snappy and the down-home sayings are cute and add to the feel of the western Texan town of Broken Boots. And then there’s the food…oh my, so many mentions of tamales made me want to run to Costco and pick up a dozen (although I know they would not be as yummy as Señora Mari’s, but at least they’d satisfy my craving) along with lots of other delectable Tex-Mex food served at Milagro. Although I’ll admit I will be pausing for a moment whenever I eat guacamole after reading this book 🙂 Rebecca has also graciously allowed me to share her recipe for The Cogburn Hotel’s Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies. These delightful treats have just the right amount of soft chewiness with melt in your mouth creamy chocolate chips and buttery, crunchy pecans. The perfect combination! Be sure to check out the back of her book for other mouth-watering recipes, all which sound delicious.

Thanks to the publisher, I have a print copy of THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE GUACAMOLE to give to one winner. Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

The Cogburn Hotel's Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter 2 sticks, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar packed
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (F).
In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until combined.
Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture.
Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans.
Spoon the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet by tablespoons.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Cinnamon & Sugar's Tip:

According to King Arthur Flour, refrigerating your dough for at least 30 minutes prior to baking results in a tastier cookie that browns more evenly. I tried it and it really does work!

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Tour Participants

October 24 – Sleuth Cafe
October 24 – Books,Dreams,Life
October 25 – View from the Birdhouse
October 25 – Bibliophile Reviews
October 26 – StoreyBook Reviews
October 26 – Grace. Gratitude. Life. by Marie McNary
October 27 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews
October 28 – Shelley’s Book Case
October 28 – A Blue Million Books
October 29 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews
October 30 – Cozy Up With Kathy
October 31 – Back Porchervations
October 31 – Readeropolis
November 1 – LibriAmoriMiei
November 1 – A Holland Reads
November 2 – Brooke Blogs
November 2 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
November 3 – Texas Book-aholic
November 4 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder
November 4 – Varietats
November 5 – Community Bookstop
November 6 – MysteriesEtc

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Vicki’s Molasses Spice Cookies

As I’ve mentioned before (and will probably say it a few more times) I just love the Christmas season! When I found out that Vicki Delany was releasing her new holiday-themed book, WE WISH YOU A MURDEROUS CHRISTMAS, I was elated… Besides, don’t you just love the clever play on Christmas carol titles?

Synopsis

Merry Wilkinson owns Mrs. Claus’s Treasures in Rudolph, New York. Rudolf is America’s Christmas Town and the place for year-round Christmas celebrations. The town is preparing for Christmas day with lots of festivities and holiday cheer. One of the elegant places to celebrate is at the Yuletide Inn and as Merry and best friend leave the Inn after dinner, they witness the owner, Jack Olsen, suffer a massive heart attack. Merry’s father, Noel, is Jack’s best friend and does everything he can to help his friend. Jack survives but has a long recovery so asks his son, Gordon Olsen, to help out at the Inn. But once Gordon arrives from California he does everything he can to take control of the restaurant and Inn away from his father and step-mother.

When Gordon cuts corners and fires local vendors who supplied the restaurant and Inn with local fares, many of the townspeople are appalled. But when he brings in a budget hotel chain to discuss selling Yuletide Inn, someone is so angry they stab him to death and leave him out in the snowy garden late one night. The police set their sights on Noel, who was overheard threatening Gordon over ruining Christmas and their town. Merry likes the new detective but worries that since she is an outsider, Noel will take the blame for the killing. Merry starts asking questions trying to decipher long buried secrets that could destroy their town. Will she be able to find the grinch who stole Gordon’s life and save Christmas?

My Review

The town of Rudolph will definitely get you into the Christmas spirit! I loved the sights, the sounds, the smells of holiday cheer that Vicki Delany weaves into WE WISH YOU A MURDEROUS CHRISTMAS, along with a murderous plot that kept me turning pages and guessing until the reveal. There were plenty of suspects with believable reasons why they would have wanted Gordon Olsen dead, while the subplots added dimension to a terrific story without detracting from it. The author has also created memorable characters, especially with Merry’s father, Noel, who epitomizes Christmas and was born on Christmas day. By the end of this book, you’ll be left with a magical feeling that just maybe Santa does exist!

While there aren’t any recipes included in the book, Vicki has shared her own recipe for Molasses Spice Cookies. These delightful treats bring an incredibly delicious smell to your kitchen which will instantly put you into the holiday mood. And once you take a bite of these spiced chewy cookies, you’re bound to find you have a new favorite Christmas goodie! Vicki tells me that these cookies are sturdy enough to package and ship which makes them perfect for gift-giving this holiday season. Thank you, Vicki, for sharing your recipe for Molasses Spice Cookies!

A huge thank you to Vicki Delany for providing an autographed copy of WE WISH YOU A MURDEROUS CHRISTMAS to one winner. Limited to U.S. residents only. Contest ends Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

Vicki’s Molasses Spice Cookies

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups sugar divided
3/4 cup 6 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In a shallow bowl, place 1/2 cup sugar; set aside.
With an electric mixer, beat butter and remaining cup of sugar until combined.
Beat in egg and then molasses, until combined.
Reduce speed to low and gradually mix in dry ingredients, just until dough forms.
Pinch off and roll dough into balls, each equal to 1 tablespoon.
Roll balls in reserved sugar to coat.
Arrange cookie balls on a baking sheet, 3 inches apart.
Bake, one sheet at a time, until edges of cookies are just firm, 10 to 15 minutes.
Cool 1 minute on baking sheet then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Vicki's Tips:

If you bake 2 cookie sheets at a time the cookies will not crackle uniformly.
These cookies are sturdy enough to hold up for shipping to family and friends!

Cinnamon & Sugar's Tips:

I like to add 1/4 cup of finely chopped candied ginger to these cookies.
If dough seems too sticky for rolling, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
I made a gluten-free / dairy-free batch of these by substituting with King Arthur's new gluten-free flour, Measure For Measure, along with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks. They turned out amazing!