recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Chocolate Cherry Frosting

Christmas Cupcake Murder

To be used with Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes

## Ingredients

* 2 cups semisweet ***(regular)*** chocolate chips ***(a 12-ounce package)***
* 1/4 teaspoon salt ***(it brings out the flavor of the chocolate)***
* 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
* 1 small jar of maraschino cherries in juice
* 1 ounce ***(2 Tablespoons)*** salted butter

**Hannah's 1st Note: If you use a double boiler for this frosting, it's foolproof. You can also make it in a heavy saucepan over low to medium heat on the stovetop, but you'll have to stir it constantly with a wooden spoon or a heat-resistant spatula to keep it from scorching.**

## Directions

* Set a strainer over a bowl in your sink.
* Drain the maraschino cherries in the strainer, reserving the juice.
* Fill the bottom part of the double boiler with water. Make sure the water doesn't touch the underside of the top.
* Put the chocolate chips and the salt in the top of the double boiler, set it over the bottom, and place the double boiler on the stovetop at medium heat. Stir occasionally until the chocolate chips are melted.
* Stir in the can of sweetened condensed milk and cook approximately 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the frosting is shiny and of spreading consistency.
* Shut off the heat, remove the top part of the double boiler to a cold burner, and quickly stir in 2 Tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice. ***(It may sputter a bit, so be careful.)***
* Then add the butter and stir it in until it melts.
* Your frosting is ready to use.

**Hannah's 2nd Note: If you want to keep this frosting soft for several minutes, place the top part of the double boiler over the hot water again. This will enable you to use the frosting for ten minutes or so before it hardens.** **If your frosting begins to harden and you're not yet ready to frost your cupcakes, simply heat the water in the bottom part of the double boiler again and place the top part over the reheated water. Give it a couple of minutes and then stir the frosting to soften it again.**

* Once you have frosted your cupcakes, give the pan to your favorite person to scrape with a spoon and eat.
* Another alternative is to frost soda crackers, salt side down, or sugar cookies for snacking.
* If you wish, you can cut the maraschino cherries in half, lengthwise, and place a half cherry, rounded side up, on top of each cupcake before the frosting hardens.

**Hannah's 3rd Note: Once this frosting cools, it's just like fudge.**
Chocolate Hazelnut Crackles (Nutella Cookies)

Blackberry Pie Murder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

## Ingredients

* 1 cup melted butter ***(2 sticks, 8 ounces, 1/2 pound)***
* 2 cups brown sugar ***(pack it down in the cup when measuring)***
* 2 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup Nutella ***(like peanut butter, but made with chocolate and hazelnuts)***
* 2 beaten eggs ***(just whip them up with a fork)***
* 3 cups all-purpose flour ***(no need to sift)***

## **Directions**

* Microwave the butter in a microwave-safe mixing bowl to melt it. Add the brown sugar and vanilla. Stir until it's blended, then add the baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
* Measure out the Nutella. ***(I spray the inside of measuring cup with Pam so it won't stick.)*** Add it to the bowl and mix it in.
* Pour in the beaten eggs and stir them in.
* Add the flour and mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
* Form the dough into walnut-sized balls and arrange them on a greased cookie sheet, 12 to a standard sheet. ***(If the dough is too sticky to form into balls, chill for a half-hour or so and try again.)***
* Push the dough balls down just a tiny bit so they won't roll off the sheet when you slide them into the oven. ***(Yes, that's happened to me--it's a horrible mess, even with a self-cleaning oven!)***
* Bake at 375 degrees F. for 8-10 minutes. The balls will flatten out, all by themselves.
* Cool cookies on the sheet for 2 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling

Yield: 5 to 6 dozen chocolaty, nutty treats, depending on cookie size.
Christmas Bell Salad

Plum Pudding Murder

## Ingredients

* 1 large red bell pepper ***(cleaned, seeded, and cut into thin strips)***
* 1 large yellow bell pepper ***(cleaned, seeded, and cut into thin strips)***
* 1 large green bell pepper ***(cleaned, seeded, and cut into thin strips)***
* 6 green onions ***(cleaned and minced—use up to one inch of the stem)***
* 4 cups fresh spinach ***(or a bag of spinach salad from the store)***
* ½ cup golden raisin
* ½ cup roughly chopped nuts ***(I used walnuts)***
* ⅛ cup ***(2 Tablespoons)*** raspberry vinegar ***(or red wine vinegar)***
* ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
* ¼ cup white sugar
* Freshly ground black pepper
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup parsley

**Hannah's Note: If fresh bell peppers are not available in your area, use a bag of frozen, multi-colored bell pepper strips. Let them thaw naturally in your refrigerator overnight and dry the strips with paper towels before using.**

## Directions

* Assemble the pepper strips, onions, parsley, and spinach in a large salad bowl. Mix in the golden raisins and nuts and toss.
* Put the vinegar, olive oil, sugar, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk them until they are well blended.
* You can dress the salad now and refrigerate it for up to an hour, or dress and toss it at table-side.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6 people.
Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars

**Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars** is the twenty-second recipe featured in Cinnamon Roll Murder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

## Ingredients

* 4 one-ounce square semi-sweet baking chocolate ***(or the equivalent - 3/4 cup regular chocolate chips will do fine.)***
* 3/4 cup butter ***(1 and 1/2 sticks,  ounces)***
* 1 and 1/2 cups white ***(granulated)*** sugar
* 1/8 cup ***(2 Tablespoons)*** caramel ice cream topping
* 3 beaten eggs ***(just whip them up in a glass with a fork)***
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 and 1/2 cups flour ***(pack it down in the cup when you measure it)***
* 1 and 1/2 cups chocolate chips ***(that's 3/4 of a 12-ounce package - I used Ghirardelli)***
* 1 and 1/2 cups pecans

## Directions

* Prepare a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan by lining it with a piece of heavy-duty foil large enough to flap over the sides. Spray the foil-lined large enough to flap over the sides. Spray the foil-lined pan with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray.
* Microwave the chocolate squares and butter in a microwave-safe mixing bowl for one minute. Stir. ***(Since chocolate frequently maintains its shape even when melted, you have to stir to make sure.)***
* If it's not melted, microwave for an additional 20 seconds and stir again. Repeat if necessary.
* Place the sugar in a  mixing bowl. Stir in the chocolate and butter mixture, and continue stirring until it's well combined.

**Hannah's 1st Note: The caramel ice cream topping comes next. It will stick to your measuring cup unless you first spray the inside of the cup with Pam or another non-stick cooking spray.**

* Add the caramel ice cream topping to your bowl and mix it in thoroughly.
* Feel the bowl. If it's not so hot it'll cook the eggs, add them now, stirring thoroughly.
* Mix in the salt and the vanilla extract.
* Mix in the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring just until it's moistened.

**Hannah's 2nd Note: These are a form of brownies, and you don't want to stir the batter any more than necessary.**

* Put the chocolate chips and the pecans in the bowl of a food processor. Using an on-and-off motion, chop them together with the steel blade. ***(If you don't have a food processor, you don't have to buy one just for this recipes - simply chop everything up as well as you can with a sharp knife.)***
* Mix in the ingredients you just chopped, give one final stir, and spread the batter out in the pan you prepared earlier.
* Bake the Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes.
* Cool your yummy creation in the pan on a metal rack. When the bar cookies are cool, slip them into the refrigerator at least an hour for ease in cutting.
* When you're ready to serve them, lift the chilled cookies bars out of the pan, using the "ears" of foil you left at the sides. Place them face-down on a cutting board, peel the foil off the back, and cut them into brownie-sized pieces.
* Place the squares on a plate and dust them lightly with powdered sugar. Everyone will think you're a genius when they taste them.
Crunchy Salty Cheesy Prosciutto and Asparagus Rolls

Raspberry Danish Murder

## Ingredients

* 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry dough ***(I used Pepperidge Farm)***
* 20 slices prosciutto in long thin strips
* 20 spears asparagus, cleaned and trimmed ***(either fresh or frozen)***
* Parmesan cheese, finely grated

## Directions

* Preheat oven to 450°F, rack in the middle position
* Prepare your baking sheet by either spraying it with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper.

**Hannah's 1st Note: I used a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.**

* Thaw your frozen puff pastry dough according to package directions.
* Spread out your thawed dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out until it's slightly thinner than pie crust dough.
* With the blade of a sharp knife, cut the sheets into rectangles the same size as the length of your asparagus. Make sure that the rectangles are high enough to wrap around the prosciutto-covered asparagus spear twice.
* Wrap one slice of prosciutto around an asparagus spear.
* Roll the prosciutto-covered asparagus spear in the shredded Parmesan cheese.
* Place on puff pastry rectangle out on a clean surface.

**Hannah's 2nd Note: I used a sheet of wax paper for my clean surface.**

* Spray the inside surface of the rectangle with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray.
* Place the prosciutto-covered asparagus spear on the bottom of the rectangle. Roll the spear up from the bottom and press down the top of the rectangle slightly so that it will stay in place when you bake it.
* Place the completed roll on the prepared baking sheet.
* Repeat until all the asparagus spears are wrapped with prosciutto, rolled in shredded Parmesan cheese, and encased in puff pastry rectangles.
* When all of your appetizers are on the baking sheet, bake them at 450°F for 10 minutes or until they are golden brown.
* Serve these delicious appetizers warm.

Yield: 20 delightful appetizers that will make any party a success.

**Hannah's 3rd Note: Lisa wants to make these appetizers ahead of time and freeze them. She's going to thaw them for 15 minutes on the kitchen counter, spray them with Pam or nonstick baking spray on the outside, and bake them until they are golden brown. I think it will work just fine, but she hasn't tried it yet.**
Baked Fruited Oatmeal

Double Fudge Brownie Murder

**Baked Fruited Oatmeal** is the thirteenth recipe featured in Double Fudge Brownie Murder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

**Michelle's 1st Note: I got this recipe from Grandma Knudson. She told me it was another recipe from her granddaughter-in-law, Janelle.**

## Ingredients

* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 cup brown sugar ***(pack it down in the cup when you measure it)***
* 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 cup salted butter, melted ***(1 stick, 4 ounces, 1/4 pound)***
* 1 cup whole milk
* 3 cups dry oatmeal ***(either the original or the Quick 1-Minute) (I used Quaker Quick 1-Minute)***
* 1 cup raisins or dried fruit ***(your choice)***

**Grandma Knudson's 1st Note:  Janelle says everyone in her family likes dried blueberries in their Baked Oatmeal.**

* Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. Alternatively, you can spray it with Pam or another nonstick baking spray.
* Crack the 2 eggs into the baking dish and whisk them up.
* Add the brown sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix until everything is well combined.
* Stir in the melted butter.
* Add the whole milk and stir it in.
* Sprinkle in the oatmeal and the dried fruit. Stir until everything is well combined.
* Bake, uncovered, 350 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until the baked oatmeal is "set" in the center. **(This means that if you hold the baking dish with potholders and shake it gently, the center does not look as if it's still liquid. If it does, bake it until the center is firm.)**
* If you're not going to serve this oatmeal immediately, turn off the oven, put a cover on the dish, and leave it in the oven until everyone arrives for breakfast or brunch.
* To serve, spoon the oatmeal into cereal bowls and accompany it with a pitcher of warm milk or cream. Alternatively, you can serve it with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit.

**Michelle's 2nd Note: My roommates at college like this with raspberries or strawberries. When Lonnie come to visit, he likes his oatmeal made without fruit and he slices a banana to put on top of his bowl.**

**Grandma Knudson's 2nd Note: I make this on Saturday night, cover it with plastic wrap, and stick it in the refrigerator. Then, when I get up early on Sunday morning, I take off the plastic wrap and set it out on the counter for 30 minutes or so to warm up. Then I bake it so that Claire and Bob have a hearty breakfast before Sunday School and morning church services.**
Bon-Bon Brownies

## Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

* 1 cup butter (2 sticks, ½ pound)
* 4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate (for a total of 4 ounces)
* 4 beaten eggs (you can just beat them up in a glass with a fork)
* 2 cups white (granulated) sugar
* ½ teaspoon salt
* ¼ teaspoon baking soda
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 1 cup flour (don’t sift—pack it down in the cup)
* 1 cup chopped pecans (walnuts will work also)
* Paper mini-muffin cup liners (mine were marked 15/8 inches on the package)

## Directions

* Put the butter and the baking chocolate in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and heat it on HIGH for 2 minutes. Stir to see if it’s melted. If it isn’t, microwave it in 20-second intervals until it is. Set the bowl on the counter to cool to room temperature.
* Beat the eggs. Add them to the cooled chocolate mixture and stir until they’re thoroughly incorporated. Then add the sugar, salt, baking soda, and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour in two half-cup increments, mixing after each addition. Stir in the chopped pecans.
* Set out paper cups (I use double papers) on a cookie sheet, 12 to a standard-size sheet, and spoon in the brownie dough until they’re 2/3 full. (Don’t use mini-muffin pans—you need the papers to spread out a little as they bake.) Bake them at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool them by placing the cookie sheet on a wire rack.
* When the brownies are completely cool, count out one pecan half to top every brownie and make the Milk Chocolate Fudge Frosting.

Yield: 6 dozen, depending on cookie size.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Clara Hollenbeck

## Bio

**Clara and Marguerite Hollenbeck** are retired elderly unmarried sisters who live in the condo complex across from Hannah.

The spinster sisters like to attend Bible Teachers Conferences at Bethany Lutheran College. Marguerite taught kindergarten for 40 years and Clara worked 42 years as a court reporter for the Winnetka County Courthouse.

They volunteer their services at Lake Eden Memorial Hospital.

## Chronology by Novel

### Blueberry Muffin Murder

Mrs. Canfield lives in the first floor condo, below theirs's.

### Key Lime Pie Murder

They adopt a cat that they name Cuddles. Moishe sees the cat in the window from Hannah's condo and is fascinated. But every time Hannah looks there is nothing there except a closed curtain. Finally, Norman figures it out.

But **Clara** is terribly allergic and they have to give her up. They are both heart broken over it, but Norman offers to adopt Cuddles and tells Marguerite that she is welcome to come out and visit her any time she wants.

Marguerite has even taken Cuddles with her on vacation.
Double Flake Cookies

Cherry Cheesecake Murder

DO NOT preheat oven—dough must chill before baking

## Directions

* DO NOT preheat oven—dough must chill before baking.
* Melt the butter. Set aside to let it cool a bit. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and whip them up for a minute. They don't have to be fluffy, just thoroughly mixed. Pour in the sugar and stir it up. Add the cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and extract. Mix well. Stir in the melted butter and then add the flour. Mix until the flour is thoroughly incorporated.
* Measure out two cups of mashed potato flakes and mix them in. Add the coconut flakes. *(If you're like me and you don't like stringy coconut, chop it up in a food processor with the steel blade before you add it to your bowl.)* Stir in the chopped nuts and mix thoroughly.
* Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours. Overnight is even better.
* When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F, rack in the center position.
* Form balls of cookie dough, 1 inch in diameter, with your hands. Roll the balls in granulated sugar and place them on greased *(I used nonstick cooking spray)* cookie sheet, 12 to a standard-sized sheet. Flatten them a bit with a metal spatula or the heel of your impeccably clean hand.
* Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden around the edges. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes and then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

**Yield**: Approximately 8 dozen, depending on cookie size.

### Hannah's Note

*This recipe is from Lisa’s cousin, Betty Harnar. Betty’s cookies are slightly different than the ones we make at The Cookie Jar, so if you don’t like them blame us. If you love them the way the folks in Lake Eden do, please give Betty all the credit.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Chocolate Truffles

Cherry Cheesecake Murder

Need a double boiler

### Directions

* Put an inch or so of water in the bottom half of a double boiler and heat it to a gentle boil. Cut the butter in chunks and place them in the top half of the double boiler. Add the chips and then the powdered sugar and set the top half over the bottom half. Put on the cover and let everything melt while you...
* Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl with a whisk. Whisk until they’re thoroughly combined, but stop before they get fluffy or lighter in color.
* Stir the chocolate until it’s completely melted. It will be thick, almost like fudge. Remove the top half of the double boiler and set it on a cold burner.
* Stir several spoonful's of beaten egg yolk into the chocolate mixture. When that’s incorporated, stir in several more spoonful's. Keep adding egg yolk in small amounts, stirring constantly, until all the egg yolks have been incorporated and the chocolate mixture is smooth and glossy.
* Stir in the rum, brandy, or vanilla. Put the lid back on the top of the double boiler and refrigerate the chocolate mixture for 3 hours.

#### To Decorate Truffles

**Warning**: This next step is fairly messy. If you like, wear disposable plastic food-server gloves. You can also lightly grease your hands, or spray them with Pam or other non-stick cooking spray so the chocolate won’t stick to your fingers.

* Form small balls of chilled chocolate with your hands and roll them in bowls of the above ingredients. You can mix and match, or give all of your truffles the same coating. Place the truffles in ruffled bon-bon papers and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

*These are incredibly delicious candies. They're super easy to make, but let's keep that a secret. It can't hurt to let people assume that you went to a lot of trouble, just for them.*

**Yield**: 4 to 5 dozen, depending on truffle size.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Bonnie Surma

## Bio

Married to Gil (teacher) who doesn’t want her to work, but volunteer work is ok.
Technical help for the Lake Eden Players also sometimes helps Trudi Schumann with the costumes.
Also helps out at the Library when Marge isn’t available.

About 10 years prior, Bonnie was the cheerleader squad coach, when Phyllis Bates was a cheerleader. Bonnie took an interest in Phyllis as she had no children, she worked at trying to turn Phyllis’ life around.

## Chronology by Novel

### Christmas Caramel Murder

Bonnie had worked really hard with Phyllis Bates when she was a junior in HS about appropriate behavior and dress. But after she moved a way, they had no further contact. When Phyllis returns to Lake Eden, Bonnie is upset that everything she had taught Phyllis was of no use as Phyllis had reverted back.

Just before Hannah discovers Phyllis Bates, murdered, she noticed that Bonnie was in the Corner Tavern having a drink while she waited for Trudi Schumann, and her hands were shaking.

When Hannah visits Bonnie to find out what happened the night Phyllis died, Bonnie has dissociated and crazy either from what she had done or from being sick with a very bad cold, or both. Phyllis decides that Hannah must die and pulls a gun on her, but before she pulls the trigger, Gil arrives home and wrestles the gun away from her. In the struggle Bonnie is shot and dies.
Blueberry Shortbread Bar Cookies

## Book Reference

Sugar Cookie Murder

Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position. Do not turn off the oven after the first step, this bakes twice

*This is Betty Jackson's recipe. She says to tell you they're the best bar cookies to eat if you're on a diet, because they have only three-quarters of a cup of powered sugar (That's true, but she' forgetting about all the sugar in the can of the pie filling.)*

### Ingredients

* 3 cups flour *(no need to sift)*
* 1 1/2 cups softened butter *(3 sticks, 3/4 pound)*
* 3/4 cup powdered *(confectioners')* sugar *(don't sift unless it's got big lumps)*
* 1 can *(21 ounces)* blueberry pie filling

### Directions

* Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.

#### First Step:

* Cream butter with powdered sugar and add flour. Mix well.

*(You can also do this in a food processor using cold butter cut into chunks and the steel blade.)*

* Spread HALF of this mixture *(approx. 3 1/2 cups)* into a greased 9-inch by 13-inch pan. *That's a standard size rectangular cake pan.)*
* Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. DON'T TURN OFF THE OVEN!
* Let the crust cool for 5 minutes.

#### Second Step:

* Spread the pie filling over the top of the crust you just baked. Sprinkle it with the other half of the crust mixture you reserved and gently press it down with a metal spatula.
* Bake the cookie bars for another 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. Remove the pan to a wire rack.
* Cool thoroughly and then cut into brownie-sized bars. If you like, sprinkle the bars with a little extra powdered sugar.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder

**Coconut Layer Cake Murder** is the twenty-third book in the *Hannah Swensen Mystery* series. It was released in February 2020.

## Short Summary

*Bakery owner Hannah Swensen is leaving Lake Eden to help a friend in sunny California. But an unexpected phone call swiftly brings her back to a cold Minnesota winter...and murder...*

When Hannah learns that her sister Michelle’s boyfriend, Detective Lonnie Murphy, is the prime suspect in a murder case, she goes straight from a movie studio sound stage to the Los Angeles airport.

Back in frigid Minnesota, she discovers that proving Lonnie’s innocence will be harder than figuring out what went wrong with a recipe. Lonnie remembers only parts of the night he went out to a local bar and ended up driving a very impaired woman home. He knows he helped her to her bedroom, but he doesn’t recall anything else until he woke up on her couch the following morning. When he went to the bedroom to check on her, he was shocked to discover she was dead.

Hannah doesn’t know what to believe—only that exonerating a suspect who can’t remember is almost impossible, especially since Lonnie’s brother, Detective Rick Murphy, and Lonnie’s partner, Chief Detective Mike Kingston, have been taken off the case. Before everything comes crashing down on Lonnie like a heaping slice of coconut layer cake, it’ll be up to Hannah to rack up enough clues to toast a flaky killer...

## Main Characters

* Hannah Swensen
* Delores Swensen
* Andrea Todd
* Michelle Swensen
* Lonnie Murphy
* Norman Rhodes
* Mike Kingston

## Minor Characters

* Doc Knight
* Darcy Hicks
* Cassie Polinski
* Brian Polinski
* Lynne Larchmont
Carrie Rhodes

Norman Rhodes

## Books

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

**Carrie Rhodes** is a character in the *Hannah Swensen Mystery* series.

## Bio

She is a widow and has a son Norman Rhodes, the Lake Eden's dentist. She is Delores' best friend and they are often together. They are co-owners in their antique store Granny's Attic.

## Chronology by Novel

She is mentioned in many books in the series, but has a larger role in the following books.

### Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

She is brought up early on in the book as Hannah's date is discussed through the phone with her mom.

### Strawberry Shortcake Murder

Delores and Carrie still push Norman and Hannah together.

### Blueberry Muffin Murder

The Winter Carnival committee and asks the Historical Society to put together an Ezekiel Jordan House display for the tourist to visit. Delores and Carrie use the empty building next to “The Cookie Jar” for the attraction. They also asks Norman to take pictures of tourists that want an old-time photograph of themselves and provide makeup and costumes. Luanne Hanks provides the makeup.

Delores and Carrie still push Norman and Hannah together.

At the end of the book, Delores and Carrie decide to start an Antique business, in the same building that they set up the, “Ezekiel Jordan House” in.

### Lemon Meringue Pie Murder

Deloris and Carrie have opened Granny's Attic, their new Antique store and hired Luanne Hanks to help them.

### Cherry Cheesecake Murder

Delores and Carrie are asked to help the props manager of the movie being filmed in Eden Lake, find fifties memorabilia. Then they are asked to convert their antique store into a few rooms of the house for the movie to use in filming indoor scenes.

### Plum Pudding Murder

Carrie is not acting like herself and Delores is concerned so she enlists Hannah’s help.

*Her romance with Earl was so wonderfully sudden and unexpected, she was afraid to talk about it. She said it was like a beautiful dream that would vanish if she woke up and opened her eyes.*”

### Apple Turnover Murder

At the beginning, Earl and Carrie are married and leave for their honeymoon in Rome.

## Trivia

* Her first husband founded Rhodes Dental Clinic

## References

1. ↑ Fluke, Joanne. Key Lime Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen series Book 9) (p. 107). Kensington Books. Kindle Edition.
2. ↑ Fluke, Joanne. Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen series Book 12) (p. 264). Kensington Books. Kindle Edition.
Christmas Caramel Murder

**Christmas Caramel Murder** is a novella at 147 pages in the *Hannah Swensen Mystery* series. It was released in September 2016.

## Series Continuity

The *Prologue* and *Epilogue* places this novella around the time of Hannah and Ross' wedding, could be before or after the contest. But the events in the story take place the previous year at Thanksgiving / Christmas.

## Short Summary

*Christmas normally descends on Lake Eden, Minnesota, as gently as reindeer alighting on a rooftop—but this yuletide season the only thing coming down Hannah Swensen’s chimney is a case of murder...*

The holidays have arrived, and Hannah and her good pal Lisa have agreed to provide all the goodies for the town’s annual production of *A Christmas Carol*. But before anyone can say “Bah, humbug!” a Santa-sized sackful of trouble ensues. Like the fact that Lisa’s husband will be playing Mr. Claus to his ex-girlfriend Phyllis Bates’ Mrs. Claus. Or that before the curtains even go up Phyllis is found dead in the snow—wearing a costume that the real Mrs. Claus would put on the naughty list. Soon after the suspects pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, while a merry murderer remains on the loose. With clues even harder to find, it might take a visit from ghosts of Christmas past to wrap up this mystery in time for the holidays...

## Main Characters

* Hannah Swensen
* Lisa Herman
* Michelle Swensen
* Herb Beeseman
* Delores Swensen
* Mike Kingston

## Side Characters

* Victoria Bascomb
* Phyllis Bates
* Bonnie Surma
* Trudi Schumann

## Quotes

* “Chocolate’s not seasonal. It’s good any time of the year. Chocolate’s like oxygen. It’s elemental.” (Chapter Nine)

## Trivia

This is the first Christmas title in the series.
Cream Cheese Puffs

Cherry Cheesecake Murder

The are broiled for 90 seconds, no preheating.

	+ *Hellmann's Mayonnaise is also known as Best Foods Mayonnaise in some parts of the country*.
* 3 Tablespoons minced green onion
	+ **OR** 3 Tablespoons minced dried onion
	+ **OR** 3 Tablespoons minced shallots
* 1 beaten egg
* A box of salted crackers *(We used Ritz Crackers and they were great!)*

### Directions

* Unwrap the cream cheese and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Nuke it in HIGH for 30 seconds, or until it begins to soften.
* Mix in the mayonnaise and stir until the mixture is smooth.
* Mix in the onion. *(If you use green onion instead of shallots or dried onion, you can use up to one inch of the stem.)*
* Mix in the beaten egg.
* Lay out the crackers on a broiler pan, salt side up. *(We used a disposable broiler pan so we could trash it at Granny's Attic and we wouldn't have to carry it back to The Cookie Jar.)*
* Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the cracker in a circle that reaches the edges. Mound it slightly in the center. Use about two teaspoons of cheese mixture per cracker.
* Position the rack approximately three inches below the coil of the broiler and turn it in HIGH. Broil the crackers *(with the oven door open to the first latch so the broiler doesn't kick on and off)* until the cream cheese puffs up and is just starting to turn golden. This should take about 90 seconds if the reach is correctly positioned.
* Let cool for a minute or two, so your guests won't burn their tongues. Transfer the Cream Cheese Puffs to a platter and serve.

**Yield**: Approximately 2 dozen hot and yummy hors d'oeuvres.

### Hannah's Note

*If you're not going to serve these right away, you can mix up the cream cheese part and refrigerate it until it's time to spread it on the crackers.*

*I haven't actually tried this, but I'm willing to bet a dozen of my best cookies that you could also add a quarter cup chopped smoked salmon to the cream cheese mixture.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Alan Carpenter

## Books

Blueberry Muffin Murder

**Alan Carpenter** Connie Mac’s lawyer and victim in Blueberry Muffin Murder.

## Chronology by Novel

### Blueberry Muffin Murder

Alan arrives in Lake Eden with Connie Mac's entourage. He is her personal and business lawyer. When Connie's husband Paul changes his will to leave half of everything to Janie Burkholtz, Connie immediately assumes that they are having an affair. She threatens Alan with being fired unless he gets Paul to change his will back.

Alan has been instrumental in assisting malls to put other Kitchenware stores out of business.

Alan's body is found during the "Ice Fishing" event when it is fished out of the lake.
Apple Shortbread Bar Cookies

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

**Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.**

## Crust Ingredients:

* 3 cup flour *(no need to sift)*
* 1 and 1/2 cups salted butter *(3 sticks, 3/4 pound*), softened to room temperature
* 3/4 cup powdered *(confectioners')* sugar *(don't sift unless it's got big lumps)*
* Filling Ingredients:
* 1 can *(21 ounces)* apple pie filling

## Directions:

**Hannah's 1st Note: You can do this recipe in a blender, or a food processor, but you'll have to use cold butter cut into chunks instead of softened butter. Lisa and I use our stand mixer at The Cookie Jar.**

* **Prepare** your baking pan by spraying a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with **Pam** or another nonstick cooking spray.
* Place the **flour** in the bowl of an electric mixer.
* Add the **salted butter** and the **powdered sugar**. Mix well.
* **Spread** HALF of this mixture *(approximately 3-1/2 cups)* into your prepared 9-inch by 13-inch pan.*(That's a standard-size rectangular cake pan.)* You will **reserve** the other HALF of this mixture for a topping.
* **Bake** at 350 degrees F. for **15 minutes. Remove** the pan from the oven**. DON'T TURN OFF THE OVEN**!

* Let the crust **cool** for **5 minutes**.
* **Take a look** at the pie filling. If there are **large pieces of apple**, **chop them** into smaller pieces, the object here is to get little pieces of apple into each Apple Shortbread Bar Cookie.
* **Spread** the pie filling over the top of the crust you've just baked. Then **sprinkle** in with the other half of the **crust mixture you reserved** and gently **press** it down with a metal spatula. **Return** the pan to the oven.
* And **bake** it for **30 to 35 minutes**, or until the top is **lightly golden**.

* **Remove** the pan to a wire rack.
* **Cool** thoroughly and then **cut** into brownie-size bars. If you like, **sprinkle** the tops with a little powdered sugar.
* **Arrange** your Apple Shortbread Bar Cookies on a pretty platter.
* **Serve** these Apple Shortbread Bar Cookies with strong, hot coffee or icy-cold glasses of milk.

**These Apple Shortbread Bar Cookies travel well** and will hold up beautifully if you put several in  little sealable plastic snack bags and include them with school lunches. Be sure to include an extra snack bag of cookies for your child's best school friend.

**Yield:**  3 to 4 dozen brownie-size pieces of buttery delight.
Chocolate-Covered Mint Cookies

Christmas Caramel Murder

Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.

* 1 small package (makes 4 half-cups) chocolate instant pudding mix (NOT sugar-free)
* 1/2 cup white (granulated) sugar
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
* 1 and 1/2 cups quick rolled oats (not instant--the Quick 1-minute kind)
* 1 cup chocolate-covered mints (I used Junior Mints)
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (a 6-ounce package--I used Nestle)

### Directions

* In a medium bowl and using an electric mixer, on MEDIUM SPEED, beat the softened butter with the dry chocolate pudding mix. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
* Add the white sugar and the brown sugar. Continue to beat on **MEDIUM** speed until the contents are well-mixed.
* Add the egg and the vanilla. Mix well.
* Add the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until they are well incorporated.
* Add the flour in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.
* Add the rolled oats in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.
* Remove the bowl from the mixer and give it a final stir by hand. You will finish the rest of this recipe by hand.
* Stir in the chocolate-covered mints by hand, being careful not to over-stir and crush them.
* Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir them in. Again, stir lightly so that you don't crush the mints.
* Prepare your cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper, or spraying lightly with Pam or another non-stick cooking spray.
* Drop, by rounded teaspoons, no more than 12 cookies to a standard-sized sheet. You can also use a 2-teaspoon size scooper if you wish.
* Bake the Chocolate-Covered Mint Cookies at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
* Cool the cookies for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet, and then remove them to a wire rack to complete cooling.

**Yield:** Makes approximately 5 dozen deliciously minty and chocolaty cookies.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Blackberry Pie Murder

**Blackberry Pie Murder** is the seventeenth book in the *Hannah Swensen Mystery* series. It was released in 2014.

## Short Summary

*It's been a sleepy summer for the folks of Lake Eden, Minnesota. In fact, it's been a whole four months since anyone in the Swensen family has come across a dead body—a detail that just made the front page of the local paper. And that means Hannah Swensen can finally focus on her bakery.....or can she?*

*Life is never really quiet for Hannah. After all, her mother's wedding is a little over a month away and guess who Delores put in charge of the planning? Yet just when Hannah believes her biggest challenge will be whether to use buttercream or fondant for the wedding cake, she accidentally hits a stranger with her cookie truck while driving down a winding country road in a raging thunderstorm. Hannah is wracked with guilt, and things get even worse when she's arrested.....for murder! But an autopsy soon reveals the mystery man, his shirt covered in stains from blackberry pie, would have died even if Hannah hadn't hit him. Now, to clear her name, Hannah will have to follow a trail of pie crumbs to track down the identity of the deceased, find a baker who knows more about murder than how to roll out a perfect pie crust—and get herself to the church on time.....*

## Main Characters

* Hannah Swensen
* Lisa Herman
* Delores Swensen
* Doc Knight
* Norman Rhodes
* Mike Kingston
* Andrea Todd

## Minor Characters

* Howie Levine
* Michelle Swensen
* Sheriff Todd
* Connor
* Winnie Henderson
* Moishe
* Rick Murphy
* Judge Geoffrey Colfax

## Quotes

* “Naturally, the air conditioner wasn’t working. It seemed the only time it worked was in the winter when she didn’t need it. Ditto for the heater, which seemed to work best in the summer.” (Chapter Two)
* “'We know that you didn’t intend to hit him, but you *did* hit him and he died as a result. Unfortunately in this case, whenever that happens there are consequences.'” (Doc Knight, Chapter Seven)

## Trivia

* This is the second berry title in the series.
Cocoa Snaps

## Book Reference

Strawberry Shortcake Murder

**Cocoa Snaps** is the fourth recipe featured in *Strawberry Shortcake Murder*.

## Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups melted butter *(3 sticks)*
* 2 cups cocoa powder *(unsweetened)*
* 2 cups brown sugar
* 3 large eggs, beaten *(just whip them up in a glass with a fork)*
* 4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 3 cups flour (*not sifted)*
* 1/2 cup white sugar in a small bowl *(for later)*

## Directions

* DO NOT preheat oven yet--dough must chill before baking.
* Melt butter and mix in cocoa until  it’s thoroughly blended. Add brown sugar. Let it cool slightly then mix in beaten eggs. Add soda, salt and vanilla and stir. Add flour and mix thoroughly. Chill dough in the refrigerator at least 1 hour. *(Overnight is fine too.)*
* Preheat oven to 350 °F rack in the middle position.
* Roll dough into walnut sized balls with your hands. This dough may be sticky, so roll only enough for the cookies you plan to bake immediately, then return the bowl to the refrigerator. Roll the dough balls in the bowl of white sugar and place them on a greased cookie sheet, 12 to a standard sheet. Flatten them with a spatula *(or the heel of your hand if the health board’s not around).*
* Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet for a minute or two and then remove them to a wire rack to finish cooling. *(If you leave them on the cookie sheets for too long, they’ll stick.)*

## Trivia

**Tracey says these taste like her favorite chocolate animal crackers, except better because she doesn't have to pick them out from all the vanilla ones in the box.**

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Butterscotch Champagne Cocktail

## Book Reference

Double Fudge Brownie Murder

**Butterscotch Champagne Cocktail** is the twenty-second recipe featured in Double Fudge Brownie Murder

### Ingredients

* ½ ounce butterscotch liqueur (Sally used DeKuyper Buttershots Schnapps)
* Brut Champagne (Sally used Korbel Brut)

### Directions

* Pour a half-ounce of butterscotch liqueur into a champagne flute.
* Fill the flute with Brut Champagne and enjoy!

**Hannah’s Note:** *Sally made Butterscotch Champagne Cocktails for Doc and Delores’s wedding party because Doc’s family is from Scotland.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Cherry Crisps

Pink Lemonade Cake Murder

*Preheat oven to 325 degrees F., rack in the middle position.*

**Ingredients:**

* 1 packet (0.13 ounce, 3.6 grams) Cherry Kool-Aid powder (don’t get the kind with sugar or sugar substitute added)
* 1 and ⅔ cup white (granulated) sugar
* 1 and ½ cups softened butter (3 sticks, 8 ounces)
* 2 large eggs, beaten (just whip them up in a glass with a fork)
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 3 cups all-purpose flour (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
* ½ cup white (granulated) sugar in a bowl

**Directions:**

1. Mix the Cherry Kool-Aid powder (the kind without sugar) with the granulated sugar.
2. Add the softened butter and mix until it’s nice and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs and mix them in.
4. Mix in the salt and the baking soda. Mix to make sure they’re well incorporated.
5. Add the flour in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.
6. Spray cookie sheets with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper if you prefer.
7. Roll dough balls 1 inch in diameter with your hands. (We use a 2-teaspoon cookie scooper at The Cookie Jar.)
8. Roll the cookie balls in the bowl of white sugar and place them on the cookie sheet, 12 to a standard-size sheet.
9. Bake the Cherry Crisps at 325 degrees F. for 10-12 minutes or until they’re just beginning to turn golden around the edges. Don’t overbake.
10. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets for no more than a minute, and then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.

**Yield:** Approximately 6 dozen pretty and unusual cookies that kids will adore, especially if you tell them that they’re made with Kool-Aid.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Cherry Bomb Cookies

## Book Reference

Sugar Cookie Murder

Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.

*This is my Grandma Ingrid's recipe. She used to make these for special occasions.*

### Ingredients

* 3 cups flour *(no need to sift)*
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup *(2 sticks, 1/2 pound)* softened butter
* 2 beaten eggs
* 1 cup white *(granulated)* sugar
* 2 jars *(16-oz. each)* maraschino cherries WITH STEMS *(about 65 cherries)*
* small bowl with powdered *(confectioners')* sugar for dipping

### Directions

* Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.
* Open the jars of cherries and drain the cherries. Leave them in the strainer while you make the cookie dough.
* Put flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir with a fork until thoroughly mixed. Cut in the softened butter with two forks, continuing to cut until the mixture looks like coarse corn meal. *(You can also do this in a food processor with the steel blade, using cold butter cut in half-inch chunks.)*
* Beat the eggs in a medium-sized bowl and combine them with the sugar.
* Add the egg and sugar mixture to the rest of the ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed.
* Extract small bits of dough with your fingers and wrap them around each maraschino cherry, leaving the stem sticking out. Press the bottoms of the dough-wrapped cherries down slightly on a greased baking sheet, 16 to a standard-sized sheet. *(4 rows of 4 cookies works nicely.)*
* Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. *(Cookies will be white—if they start to brown, reduce the baking time.)* Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet. Then dip them in the powdered sugar so that the entire cookie part is covered, but not the stem.

Yield: 5 to 6 dozen cookies.

*Kids love these, probably because they can pick them up by the stem, pop the whole cookie in their mouths, and puff off the stem.*

*For Christmas, I make these with one jar of red maraschino cherries and one jar of green. Once they're arranged on a platter lined with a paper doily, they're really pretty.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Coconut and Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Coconut Layer Cake Murder

**The following frosting is the alternative to the cooked frosting.**

## Ingredients

* ½ cup softened salted butter ***(1 stick, 4 ounces, ¼ pound)***
* 8-ounce package softened cream cheese ***(the brick ind, NOT whipped)***
* 1 teaspoon coconut extract
* Zest of 1 lemon
* 4 cups confectioners' ***(powdered)*** sugar ***(no need to sift unless it's got big lumps)***

## Directions

* Mix the softened butter with the softened cream cheese.
* Add the coconut extract and the lemon zest. Mix well.

**Hannah's Note: Do this next step at room temperature. If you heated the cream cheese or the butter to soften it, make sure it's cooled down before you continue.**

* Add the confectioners' sugar in half-cup increments until the frosting is of proper spreading consistency. ***(You'll use all, or almost all, of the sugar.)***
Chocolate Fruit Platter

## Book Reference

Sugar Cookie Murder

*This recipe is from Bonnie Surma, who says this is about as fancy (and easy) as she ever gets when it comes to desserts.*

### Ingredients

* 2 cups *(16-ounce package)* chocolate chips
* Dried fruit *(apricots, peaches, dates, figs, and pears work best)*

### Directions

* Melt the chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler and stir them until smooth.
* Spread the fruit out on cookie sheets lined with wax paper.
* Dip the fruit into the chocolate, coating half of the piece. Once dipped, place the fruit on the waxed paper. *(Pears look best if you dip the bottom half.)*
* Once all the fruit is dipped, refrigerate the cookie sheets for at least an hour. Take them out 30 minutes before you're ready to serve. *(The chocolate is tastier if 's not too cold.)* When it's time to serve, arrange the fruit on a platter and serve with strong coffee for an elegant dessert.

Bonnie says to tell you that you can dip fresh strawberries in chocolate by this method. If you buy strawberries with the stems on, you can dip the whole berry. Otherwise, just pierce the top half of the berry with a toothpick and dip the bottom half.

*Mother reports that Bonnie made a lovely platter for the Lake Eden Regency Romance Readers group last summer. It had strawberries dipped in milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, and white chocolate.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Hannah's Whipped Crème Fraîche for Easter Bunny's Favorite Pie Squares

**For** Easter Bunny's Favorite Pie Squares

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

**NOTE: This will hold for several hours. Make it ahead of time and refrigerate it in a bowl covered with plastic wrap.**

## Ingredients

* 2 cups heavy whipping cream
* 1/2 cup white ***(granulated)*** sugar
* 1/2 cup sour cream ***(you can substitute unflavored yogurt, but it won't hold as well and you'll have to do it at the last minute)***

## Directions

* **Whip the cream** with the **white (granulated) sugar** until it holds a firm peak.
* **To test** for firm peaks, simply shut off the mixer, and "dot" the surface of the cream with a rubber spatula and then pull it up. If it forms a peak **that doesn't droop** over on itself, you have firm peaks.
* Once you have firm peaks, **gently fold i**n the **sour cream.**  DO NOT OVERMIX!
* **Cover** your mixing bowl with plastic wrap, and keep it in the **refrigerator** until you are ready to use the Whipped Crème Fraiche.

**Hannah's Whipped Crème Fraiche is also a wonderful accompaniment** to a bowl of fruit if you put a generous dollop on the fruit and **sprinkle** it with a little **brown sugar**. It is especially good on **strawberries, raspberries, and peaches**.