Several months ago I had the opportunity to meet Cindy Sample, author of DYING FOR A DONUT. I have read a couple of her books in her Laurel McKay Mystery series prior to this release and love her humor. Let me tell you, Cindy is just as entertaining in person as she is on the page and I had a delightful dinner chatting with her!
Synopsis
Laurel McKay is visiting Apple Tree Farm with her grandmother while waiting to pick up her her daughter, Jenna. A fight erupts between the owner’s son, Eric, and Tony, one of the young men employed by the Farm. Eric has accused Tony of stealing from their business so the owner, Abel, has no choice but to fire him. Laurel is caught in the middle and decides she must talk to Abel about his son’s behavior. When she goes to his office early the next morning after taking Jenna to work, she finds Abel the Donut King dead, covered head to toe in powdered sugar.
Tony is arrested for the murder and Jenna, who appears to be crushing on Tony, begs her mother to prove his innocence. Laurel doesn’t want to get involved but when Jenna and Gran start investigating on their own, she knows she’d better do something before either of them get into real trouble. The arrogant new female detective in town is also getting on Laurel’s nerves and Laurel would like to show Detective Reynolds a thing or two. As she starts asking questions she finds that the Donut King had lots of secrets that several people might have wanted to keep hidden. Can she find the real killer or will an innocent young man take the fall?
My Review
DYING FOR A DONUT is the perfect autumn treat! Cindy’s descriptions of Apple Tree Farm and the delectable goodies produced there will have your mouth watering and make you want to go for a visit. The mystery pulled me in while the zinger of a plot twist had me reluctant to put the book down! Her dialogue is full of snappy quips that had me laughing out loud several times. I loved Gran….she is a hoot and the perfect compliment to Laurel. I felt like the characters were very likeable and easy to relate to. Laurel, as a single mother, has the usual issues with her teenage daughter which makes her seem personable and vulnerable.
Being a native California girl, I could completely relate to the drought issues woven into the story and enjoyed the factoids Cindy shares. Did you know that it takes 32 gallons of water to make 1 glass of wine? Or 1 gallon of water to grow just ONE almond? I doubt this knowledge will make me rethink what I consume but I will be more grateful when I imbibe.
Along with a terrific book Cindy includes numerous autumn dessert recipes! So many incredibly delicious treats…I wanted to make them all…and probably will… However, I had to choose one so settled on Pumpkin Roll Cake as shared by Sharon Bitz. When I was in my twenties I had a recipe similar to this but with all the moving around I did I somehow lost it. Once I started making this Pumpkin Roll Cake I was so happy Sharon submitted this recipe for Cindy’s book. I will definitely not be losing this recipe again! The yummy autumn spices warms the kitchen and your mouth while the pumpkin provides gorgeous fall color. The rich and creamy cream cheese filling provides a cool contrast making this moist cake a picture perfect accompaniment to any gathering!
A very special thank you to Cindy Sample for offering two winners an autographed copy of DYING FOR A DONUT! Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest ends Monday, September 12, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST and is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Pumpkin Roll Cake
Ingredients
Cake
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup pure pumpkin, canned is fine (do NOT use pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar (to sprinkle on a towel)
Filling
1 8-ounce package cream cheese (room temperature)
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
6 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cake
Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
Grease a 15 x 10-inch jellyroll pan and line it with waxed or parchment paper. Grease and flour the paper.
Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with confectioners’ sugar. Set aside.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a small bowl.
Beat the eggs and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl until thick.
Beat in pumpkin.
Stir in flour mixture.
Spread evenly into prepared pan.
Sprinkle with walnuts if using.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of the cake springs back when touched. If using a dark colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.
Immediately loosen and turn cake on to prepared towel.
Carefully peel off paper.
Lightly sprinkle the cake with additional confectioners’ sugar.
Roll up cake and towel together, starting at the narrow end, then cool on wire rack.
Filling
Beat the cream cheese, 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, butter, and vanilla extract together in a small mixing bowl until smooth.
Carefully unroll cake.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over cake and then reroll the cake.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Sprinkle with additional confectioners’ sugar before serving, if desired.
Tip
Be sure to put enough confectioners’ sugar on the kitchen towel before rolling up the cake so it will not stick.
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Releasing January 2017, DYING FOR A DIAMOND by Cindy Sample! Keep watching Cindy’s Facebook page for her cover reveal coming soon!
My favorite donut is glazed – maple or chocolate!
My favorite donut is an apple fritter followed by a bear claw. I guess I’ve always been partial to anything with cinnamon and autumn flavors!
The plain glazed donut works for me. Thanks!
Been a long time since i made one of these and it looooooks so yummy just might have to make one soon. Books sounds good too!
One with strawberry icing. this sounds good and she’s a new Author for me, thanks for the review.
Penney
Yummmy!!!! ????
My fav is fritters followed by maple bars. This looks good. Will have to do soon. Thanks for the recipe. Thanks to for the intro to a new author/series. Looks like a really great read. so hpe this will be an early start
I love all donuts, but my favorite are Krispy Kreme when the hot light is on.
This looks yummy and easy to make. Thank you!
I like maple bars but I also like the fresh hot glazed at Krispy Kreme. Those things melt in your mouth! Yum!
My favorite doughnut is chocolate frosted with nuts on top.
Applesauce cake. I’d pick one of these over any other donut.
I do like Apple fritters, plain glazed, maple, or chocolate yeast donuts, and Daylight Donut (particular franchise donut shop) cinnamon rolls
My favorite doughnut is blueberry cake!
Chocolate glazed donuts are my favorite, though I don’t mind the powdered jelly variety.
Favorite donut is a freshly made vanilla cream!
I like a glazed raised donut—just simple.
Old fashioned donuts are yummy but this pumpkin roll looks amazing! Another one to make soon! Would love to win!
I love yeast donuts with a glaze frosting.
My fav donut is a plain old fashion it is so good and I just like it when plain when there is a glaze it is way to sweet! [email protected] peggy clayton
my favorite doughnut is chocolate cream filled
First, thanks for hosting this giveaway opportunity and introducing me to Cindy Sample and her books. What a great synopsis…Nothing like an employee “scorned.” Second, my favorite donut may not actually be a donut, but if it is sold in a donut shop…then, it’s a donut. My choice is an apple fritter! Third, I love the pumpkin roll recipe and will put it on my “must bake” list for October treats. Thanks!
Thanks for featuring DYING FOR A DONUT, Kim. I loved doing the research for this book but it sure was fattening! I think my favorite donut is the Hawaiian “malasada” version, covered with chocolate and gooey cream inside. Yum!
We appreciate your sacrifice for research 🙂 All the yummy descriptions in your book made me want to take a trip to the donut shop or start baking right away…so many incredibly yummy dessert recipes!!! The malasada sounds absolutely amazing and I regret not ever having tried one while in Hawaii. Thanks for sharing your book and your recipe!
Hey Kim! Give me a chocolate frosted devil’s food donut anytime! Yep, I’m a chocoholic in a major way! My mom used to make a pumpkin roll similar to this one back in the day. I think I’ll make one this holiday season. Thank you for the recipe!
My favorite donut is a lemon filled glazed donut. Thanks for hosting. I loved your review. It sounds like a great book.
I love maple bars and glazed donuts!!!!
My favorite donut is the very hard to find old fashioned kind–Crispy on the outside and cakey in the middle. No frills. Pure donut delight.
a little local bakery here used to make a big flat sort of glazed donut they called a barnyard…loved them!!
I’ve yet to meet a donut I didn’t like. My one that I always turn to is a pacski with raspberry jelly or a cream stick with chocolate frosting. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.
My favorite donut is vanilla creme filled, yum!
I absolutely love pumpkin roll cake! HOWEVER…I can’t make it because then I will eat it…all…by…myself. Not good. 🙂 Anyway, I love the sound of this book! Thanks for the chance to win too!
My favorite donut is the maple frosted donut. Great review, can’t wait to read the book.
I actually have two favorites for two different reasons. I love cream filled – YUM and I love plain because I dip that one in my coffee!
I love cream filled donuts! Thank you for the giveaway!
My favorite donut is chocolate covered white cream filled glazed. Yummy!
I love Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts.
I love Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts and also cream filled.
My favorite donut is powdered sugar with white frosting filling.. I love all things pumpkin! Thanks for the chance to win…
Custard filled
I have this series on e-book. Would love to have an autograph copy. Thank you for the chance to get one.
Forgot my favorite donut is a glazed
My fave is chocolate donut with chocolate glaze
My favoritedoughnut is the creme filled doughnuts !! With either chocolate filling or vanilla!! With chocolate icing glaze!!!
Old Fashioned donuts are my favorite.
Hot fresh Krispie Kreme glazed donuts.
Chocolate cake donut.
Love pumpkin roll.Wish i could bake. Would love to read the book.
Favorite is raspberry filled. thanks tor the chance.
I love old Fashion donuts. Looking forward to Apple Hill and pumpkin patches but they both are a favorite year round. Love pumpkin spice anytime and California apples don’t last like other states but can find some wonderful ones year round.
My favorite is the pumpkin spice donut that Krispy Kreme has at autumn time. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Good question…I am torn between the chocolate glazed or the raspberry donuts but right now I am leaning toward the latter.
Marilyn [email protected]
Donuts, hmmmmm.
I love a glazed cinnamon donut & long johns with white frosting & apple cinnamon donuts. Thanks for this generous giveaway.
My favorite donuts are blueberry donuts. So very yummy. Dunkin Donuts sells Munchkins of the blueberry donuts. There isn’t a Dunkin Donuts close so they are a special treat when I am away from home.
i love a donut with white cream filling
Plain cake donut. It’s not too sweet.
Jelly donuts all the way!
Oh my, my favorite is an Apple Cider cake donut in Cinnamon Sugar they’re delicious. ?☕
My favorite doughnuts are any cream filled ones!!! Love a good Pumpkin Roll, I make them every year using my grannies recipe, they are a family favorite.
chocolate cake donuts. Added this book to my TBR.
I like jelly donuts best.
Glazed donuts can’t be beat. I also grew up with “long johns”. These were donut dough with maple icing and were rectangle. Can’t find them where I live now.
I grew up with long johns, too. Where did they go?
My favorite donut is Boston Cream but if I find a Cinnamon Twist, I won’t say no.
Oh my! I’ll make this yummy treat to read the book!: Thank you
Oh, and my favorite donut is an apple fritter in the fall and a chocolate dipped all year long!
My favorite is chocolate covered with custard filling. Yum!