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CRIMES AND CONFECTIONS is the fourteenth book in the Cookies & Chance Mysteries by Catherine Bruns. With memorable and zany characters you can’t help but love and a twisty-turvey mystery to solve, this newest release captivated my attention until I’d read the very last page. I think one of the things that keeps readers coming back to this series is family. Protagonist Sally Muccio Donovan has her swoon-worthy husband, a darling daughter, Cookie, and another babe on the way. She, along with her father, mother, sister (and her family) have long relied on Grandma Rosa (who provides humor all on her own!) to be the glue that holds the family together—both mentally and physically. But, with Grandma Rosa in Italy, with no clear date when she’ll return, the remaining family is falling apart. As annoying as I found Sal and her family in their dismal attempts to feed themselves in Grandma Rosa’s absence, I liked Rosa is finally given the due and appreciation that she so richly deserves. Ms. Bruns strong descriptive skills bring each scene to life, along with lots of humor interjected to keep the mood light, even though it is a mystery.
And speaking of mysteries, who would have ever thought Sally’s mom, Maria, would enter Mrs. Buffalo’s beauty pageant? The scenario sets the stage for even more humor and exposes cutthroat behind-the-scenes grab for the coveted crown and title. When Maria is accused of murdering one of the competitors with the detective intent on taking his resentment of Sally out on her, Sally knows she has to solve the crime. Except with a toddler daughter and being pregnant, her husband isn’t happy at all with Sally’s involvement. The emotions of trying to find the right balance between home life, career, and investigating, comes across realistically. Sally does her best to not take any chances in confronting the killer herself, but yet danger always finds her. And as the well-plotted story sped toward the reveal, I couldn’t help but turn the pages faster and faster until I’d read the highly satisfying conclusion.
With Sally owning a cookie bakery, there are many mouthwatering treats sprinkled throughout the story. Fortunately, there are several recipes at the back of the book for the home baker to try out. I was delighted to provide the recipe for Raspberry Sugar Cookies used in the book and even more honored when the cover designer used my cookies as part of the cover art! Freeze-dried raspberries provide a tart sweetness along with a pretty pink color to the cookies, without relying on food coloring. These are perfect for Valentine’s Day (try dipping them in chocolate!), a princess party (with lots of glittery sprinkles added on top of the frosting), or to celebrate a beauty pageant event, like Sal and Maria, if that’s your thing. The dough stores well in the freezer so you can have an extra batch on hand whenever you want a delicious change from vanilla sugar cookies.
Amazon Synopsis
With her beloved grandmother on vacation in Italy, baker Sally Muccio has her hands full. Between running a business, running after her toddler daughter, and running to keep her crazy parents out of trouble, Sal can’t seem to catch a break.
Adding to her overload, Sal’s ever youthful mother Maria decides to enter the local Mrs. Buffalo beauty pageant, and she elects Sal and Josie to provide sweet treats for the audience. It’s sure to be an exciting day for all involved.
But when vengeful contestant Charmaine Weatherwax sabotages Maria’s gown, the beauty contest quickly turns into an ugly affair. Hours later, Charmaine is found dead in her apartment! To make matters worse, Sal’s mom is caught on a surveillance camera entering the woman’s apartment shortly before her death. Are the chaos cookies about to hit the fan for the Muccio clan? Sal will need to find the real killer before her mother’s sent up the river without her stilettos!
A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for offering a print copy of CRIMES AND CONFECTIONS to one lucky winner! Contest ends July 17, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 2 cups freeze-dried raspberries (2 packages 1.25 ounces each)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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Before opening the packages of the freeze-dried raspberries, use a rolling pin or flat edge of a meat tenderizer to crush the berries into a fine powder.
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Using a large bowl, whisk the raspberry powder, flour, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
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Using an electric beater or stand mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese together on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Mix in the granulated sugar and beat until mixture is fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until completely combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
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Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until incorporated. Dough will be very soft and creamy.
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Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line 2 to 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Sprinkle a smooth surface or baking mat with flour and flour a rolling pin. Roll the chilled dough out to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut the dough out into your favorite shapes. Gather the dough scraps together and re-roll. Cut out more shapes. Repeat process with the second piece of dough.
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Place the cookies on the baking sheets 3 inches apart. Refrigerate for 10 minutes, then bake for 12 -14 minutes, depending on thickness. Rotate the pans halfway through cooking. The cookies should be lightly browned around the edges.
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Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
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Decorate as desired.
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Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Omgosh! That recipe sounds delicious! I have never had raspberry sugar cookies before. And the cutout designs are so stinkin cute! Book sounds like a great read!
Those cookies look beyond yummy!!! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Cookies sound delicious.
I can’t enter it won’t take my email and when I tried the log in it said not available.
I really want to read your book.
They sound yummy to me as I like raspberry. Thank you for the recipe.
Those cookies sound wonderful! I used to make Sugar Cookies, every winter. I think they’d be a hit with raspberry flavor.
I love the cookies you made that are awesomely gorgeous have been used on the COVER📚🎉
CONGRATULATIONS to you💗
Thanks so much, Kathy!