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SPRINKLED IN MALICE, the seventh book in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns captured my attention from the very first page with its endearing introduction to protagonist Sally Muccio Donovan. We also meet her best friend, sidekick, and baker all rolled into one feisty woman: Josie. I was lulled into a sense of well-being, reading with a smile on my face, enjoying the fun Sally is planning to celebrate her husband’s birthday when wham… the action starts and it was an edge of your seat read from then on out. Ms. Bruns has written a well-plotted mystery that brings the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions. There are plenty of suspects that kept me guessing and the subplots add to the layers of entertainment. The conclusion and wrap up of the story left me cheering and made SPRINKLED IN MALICE one of my new favorites in this series so far.
I also greatly enjoy how the author expertly inserts just enough humor to lighten the mood at the right times using Sally’s parents and grandmother. In particular her father, Domenic Muccio, brings outrageous shenanigans to the page. His “Father of Death” blog and his new book covering the subject of death, had me laughing out loud. Sally’s Grandma Rosa is adorable as she manages to mix up cliché sayings with cute results. I never knew there were so many clichés out there, but Ms. Bruns provides ample examples over the course of this series.
Sally’s bakery sells mouthwatering cookies to the community. While Josie is the full-time baker, Sally is trying to learn and increase her baking skills by starting out with some easy to make recipes. I was delighted when Catherine asked if I’d like to provide a recipe for her book and I loved the theme of sprinkles… and knew my granddaughters would love any cookies that utilized lots of sprinkles too. While I bake all kinds of cookies, sometimes it’s nice to have a basic, mix up in minutes, type of recipe so I came up with Sprinkled with Fun Cookies which start with a cake mix. These cake-like cookies take mere minutes to scoop onto a baking sheet and the grandkids and their parents alike, loved the taste. I’ve made these several times, swapping out the colors of the sprinkles, to fit whatever holiday theme I need to serve them at, making them versatile year round.
Amazon Synopsis
Spring has officially arrived, and while the weather outside may still be frightful, Sally Muccio is feeling especially delightful as she prepares a family dinner in honor of her husband’s birthday. Sal’s determined to make it an unforgettable night for Mike and even includes homemade fortune cookies like the ones her bakery serves, with messages personalized for each guest.
The evening is memorable, but not as Sal had hoped, when Mike and a friend find themselves in the middle of an armed robbery…and only one will make it out alive. It’s just the beginning of more grief for Sal, who soon discovers the robbery is related to a scheme that spells financial ruin for her family. Add in her morbid father’s book signing at the bakery complete with coffin shaped cookies, a sister who won’t stop eating them, and an accidental gig at a local strip club, and Sal once again finds herself in deep dough. Only this time, there may not be a way out…
A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing a winner with their choice of print or an e-book copy of SPRINKLED IN MALICE. Contest ends Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST. Print 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!)
- 1 box Funfetti cake mix (15.25 oz.)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (optional, but helps develop crust on frosting)
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 - 3 tablespoons half and half or milk
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
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Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until completely combined.
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Scoop cookie dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheets and lightly flatten the dough balls with either your hands or a spatula.
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Bake, one pan at a time, for 9 - 11 minutes. The tops of the cookies should start to crack a bit but the centers should remain soft.
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Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a wire cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.
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In the bowl of a standing mixer, whip the butter, vegetable shortening (if using) and a pinch of salt until creamy, about 2 minutes on medium speed.
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Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and slowly add in approximately half of the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated.
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Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons half and half (or milk) and beat until smooth.
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Beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar.
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Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes. If frosting is too stiff, slowly add additional half and half until desired consistency is reached.
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Frost the completely cooled cookies and garnish with sprinkles. Allow the frosting to set before storing in an airtight container.
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For seasonal-themed Sprinkled with Fun cookies, substitute 15.25 ounces white or yellow cake mix for the Funfetti mix. Gently stir in 1/3 - 1/2 cup seasonal-colored sprinkles to the batter AFTER all the cookie ingredients have been mixed together. Bake according to directions above.
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*Feel free to use your favorite pre-made canned frosting.
Makes 30 - 32 cookies
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a great series! I would love a print copy….thanks! 🙂
I’d love to read this—I generally prefer ebooks.
This sounds like a wonderful read to while away the last of winter. One needs fun and this certainly sounds diverting. The recipe shared is bound to charm. Very neat that you provided the recipe for the author’s book! I am one of the old-fashioned readers and still prefer print.
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the chance!
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the giveaway!
I prefer print copy. This cover is amazing & I would be over the moon to win this book. Thanks for your great generosity. Congrats on your new release.
I love print books. Thank you for the chance.
Love the series. I would prefer a print copy if I’m so lucky to win. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of Sprinkled in Malice. Looks like a hit!
I read most of my books now on my Kindle app, so I would have to say ebooks. I wish I had one of those cookies now — thanks for all your recipe videos!
I love the covers of Catherine’s books and would love to have her latest book. Thank you for the opportunity to
enter the giveaway and for your wonderful blog.
I love print books. There is nothing like holding a book to me. 🙂
Love Catherine Bruns books! I can’t wait for the opportunity to read “SPRINKLED IN MALICE”.
Print issue if I win. Recipe sounds yummy.
Prefer the printed copy. I appreciate the consideration!
These days I prefer ebooks because my Kindle can hold so many and I don’t have shelves of books to manage. This is a new series for me, I look forward to reading it.
Great series & awesome post! Thank you for the chance to snag a print copy ?
Cheers-
Kelly Braun
I read both kinds of books, but prefer print.
I prefer reading print books.
I read both print and e-book but I prefer a print copy of Sprinkled In Malice.Thank you for a chance to win.
I prefer and e-book so i can enlarge the font. Thank you for the opportunity
I prefer print. Thanks for the giveaway.
Those look like great cookies! I’d love to win a print copy. Thanks for the chance!
Print. Thanks for the chance
This is such a fun series, the recipes are great and who doesn’t love cookies with their mysteries?
Print
I prefer reading print books
Print is my favorite
Print books
I prefer print books to ebook.
Print copy. Thanks for the opportunity.
I prefer printed books, but read both. Love this recipe.
I prefer a print copy. Sounds like a great read.
I prefer print books although I read on my kindle too.
An e-copy would be fine, thank you for the giveaway!
I don’t do e-books. I like the feel of a real book. I’ve never read this series before but it looks like it’s right up my alley!
I prefer ebooks, but like print and audio as well.
Print, please.
Would prefer a print copy Looks like a series of books that would really interest me
Ilike print books, but an ebook would be fine.
I would prefer the print copy please.
“Do you prefer print or an e-book copy?” I would prefer a print copy.
I would prefer a print copy please. I am looking forward to reading your books and trying the recipes.
I would love a print copy and thank you for the chance!!!
I would prefer a print copy. Love the cover!
Tough question, I love print books but I will go with e-book, they are easier for me to see. 🙂
I still prefer books in print.
I still prefer books in print. Thanks for offering a choice.
I just cannot get used to reading on my tablet…I need print books.
I love both options for reading.
When we go on holidays I bring a bag of pre-read books (many purchased at a thrift store) so whoever want to read them, can take them and it’s ok if I don’t get them back.
The books that are on my iPad are ones that I really want to keep so i spend the money that way.
Either way, it’s a win-win deal.
Also, being Canadian, it is easier if the author is offering an ebook, that way I can enter the giveaways.
I like both but I prefer ebooks because its easier to read at night. Thanks.
I like print books for illustrated books & e-books if a book isn’t illustrated. The cookie recipe looks really good!
I prefer a print copy. Thank you for the giveaway!
I prefer a print book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I prefer print copies. Love the cover.
Love the cover. I prefer print copies.
I prefer print books.
I prefer a print copy.
Catherine Bruns book is one from a great series. It would be wonderful to be able to claim a print
book of her book. Thanks for including it on your blog.
I like print books the best, even though I do have a shrinking amount of room for them.
Thanks for the chance. I like ebooks.
I prefer a print copy, but I’ll gladly read an e-book, too!
And the cookies look yummy! Do they taste anything like those frosted Lofthouse cookies you can get at Walmart?
I like both print and ebooks. I prefer to read ebooks at night and books during the day.
I am a print book reader!
I prefer a print copy.
I prefer print books. Thanks for the chance.
Tighefan42atgmail dotcom
I always prefer a print copy over an ebook. But I do read ebooks when a print isn’t available. However, I’ll pick up a print book to read before I go to an ebook. And I nearly always have a print book available because I frequent the library,
donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net