Sunday, January 25, 2015

Cate Price's Kitchen Sink Cookies #recipe #giveaway


MLK: We're so delighted to welcome Cate Price back to our kitchen. She has a brand new book out this month, and she's brought us cookies! Take it away Cate...

Cate: We all probably have certain dishes that friends and family beg us to make again and again. These are my “special request” treats. Once you see the list of ingredients, you’ll know why I call them Kitchen Sink Cookies! 


In LIE OF THE NEEDLE, my main character, Daisy Buchanan, owns a vintage sewing notions shop, where the ladies of the village congregate for coffee in the mornings. Daisy’s best friend, Martha, a fabulous baker, usually brings in delicious home-made goodies , but due to certain recent events, like a brutal murder and the disappearance of the love of her life, Martha is too distraught to cook. Daisy and another friend, Eleanor, decide to take a crack at it. I mean, how hard can it be? I'll show you in this excerpt:

 

“Wait—there’s no coconut in this recipe,” I demurred as Eleanor dumped in half a bag of shredded coconut.
“I know. I like it, though.” She followed up with a mountain of chocolate chips, popping a handful into her mouth.
I peered at the paper again. “And no chocolate chips, either.”
“Details, details.” Eleanor waved a hand in the air. “Everyone knows that chocolate makes everything better.”
The batter was so heavy by this point that we had to take turns mixing it by hand because it was too dense for the beaters.
Eleanor consulted the recipe and shrugged. “Ah, rats! I knew I’d forget something. The vanilla! Never mind, I have bourbon. Should work just as well.” She pulled a flask out of the back pocket of her jeans and sloshed a glug into the bowl.
We dropped it by clumps onto baking sheets and slid them into the oven. Soon a wonderful aroma wafted through the old Victorian building that housed my store.
“This should entice the customers,” I said, breathing in deeply. “Even if they don’t taste good, they smell great.”
I was just taking the first batch out of the oven when the doorbell jangled and Martha swept in.
“Uh-oh, caught in the act,” Eleanor muttered.
“What on earth are you two doing?” Martha took a small piece off one cookie and bit into it gingerly. “Amazingly good. I think you two should make all the treats from now on.”
“Now look what you’ve done,” I said to Eleanor.


Kitchen Sink Cookies


3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
½ cup margarine (1 stick)
1½ cups sugar
1½ cups light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 Tablespoon dark rum (or whiskey or bourbon) *
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans
2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In one bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
In another large bowl, beat butter and margarine until smooth with mixer at medium speed. Gradually beat in both sugars until well blended. Add eggs, vanilla, and rum and beat.

Stir in flour mixture. Stir in oats, chocolate chips, walnuts and coconut.
 

For each cookie, drop a large spoonful of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing a couple of inches apart (maximum of a dozen to one sheet). Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to rack to cool. Yield: 3 dozen large cookies, or more.

    * The rum or bourbon is optional, but it does add that secret “je ne sais quoi” touch.


Note: These are kitchen sink cookies, so have some fun! Once when I made them, I didn’t have enough chocolate chips, so I made up the difference with dried cranberries.

You’ll find this recipe, as well as a recipe for a terrific turkey chili, in the Millbury Ladies’ Home Companion in LIE OF THE NEEDLE, together with some helpful household hints.




Leave a comment today with your email to be entered in the drawing for one signed copy of LIE OF THE NEEDLE.
 Cate Price is the author of the Deadly Notions mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime, featuring the proprietor of a vintage sewing notions store situated in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. GOING THROUGH THE NOTIONS and A DOLLHOUSE TO DIE FOR are the first and second books in the series, and the third, LIE OF THE NEEDLE, was published January 6, 2015.

Please visit Cate at her website, or on Facebook.

98 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! These cookies sound wonderful! Of course you had me at the rum. I would love to win a copy of the book!

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    1. Melanie, the rum (or bourbon) is definitely the secret ingredient! Although you don't have to use it...Good luck in the giveaway!

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  2. Kitchen Sink cookies are the best! So versatile with add-ins and flavors. And the book sounds FANTASTIC! EMS591@aol.com

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    1. This is a recipe you can have fun and improvise with, and all will be well.

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  3. Going to try these cookies! Thanks for the recipe & giveaway.

    Tennisace50(@)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi Linda! Let me know how you like them!

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    2. Pat (patdupuy@yahoo.com)January 25, 2015 at 12:35 PM

      Good grief! I'd have to take up running to work off these cookies. They sound so good.

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    3. It's okay, Pat, you'll have enough of a workout mixing the batter. No guilt here!

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  4. I love finding new cookie recipes! This one sounds great! Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win yout book! This book sounds great! I would love to read this!
    edtercross7304@yahoo.com

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    1. Hope you enjoy this one, Terri, and good luck in the giveaway.

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  5. These cookies sound wonderful! Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway. Looking forward to the book.

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  6. Love the cookies. The book sounds like a great fun read. grammyd01@comcast.net

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    1. I had fun writing it, Gram. There are some serious issues, too, and a murder, of course, but overall, I think you'll enjoy!

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  7. What luscious-looking cookies, Cate! Your excerpt has already enticed me. Now I can't wait to read the book!

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  8. The cookies sound great but I don't know if I'd be able to stir all of that. Or, lift the bowl! But I can lift the book. I'd love to read it.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  9. This is a great recipe to make with a friend or two. The more arms the better.

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    1. And it's always fun to cook with friends. One of my favorite things to do!

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  10. Welcome to the Kitchen, Cate. Great to have you here, and thanks for the recipe.

    ~ Cleo

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  11. Yum! Love the concept of your book. The kitchen sink cookies look delicious. jenniferbyerschambers at yahoo dot com

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  12. Wow, this does have everything in it but the kitchen sink. I love the excerpt, I started laughing, I've been known to do something like that once or twice. Thanks for the chance to win and the laugh.
    momzillasteel@gmail.com

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  13. Love the addition of rum to these cookies. I'll have to try them. Thank you for the giveaway!
    dmskrug3@hotmail.com

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    1. You're welcome, Daniele. These cookies disappear very quickly every time I make them, so it's worth the effort!

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  14. I love this recipe. I'm going to make it but no chocolate---some kind of dried fruit, maybe cherries. Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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    1. Sue, that sounds good! I'm sure it will work out well.

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  15. i want this book!! It takes place in my back yard. spider12344@yahoo.com

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    1. We are neighbors! (sort of) I'm about 20 minutes west of Philly. I love the Bucks County area, which is why I chose it as the setting for this series.

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  16. I have to add this book to my TBR shelf, no matter how many books I read it never seems to get smaller. Thanks for sharing such a fun recipe, I enjoy cooking so all new recipes are welcome.

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    1. I have stacks of books on my shelf, too, Taryn! And this is a tried-and-true recipe.

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  17. I like cardamom with cinnamon, so I would add some of it if I made these - going on my TBB (to be baked) list - don't bake as much since my husband was diagnosed with diabetes.

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    1. It would be interesting to experiment and see how much sugar you could cut out of this recipe and still make it work.

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  18. Hello, Cate! Thanks for the recipe. These cookies look delicious, and I love the book excerpt. Now I find myself wanting the see the chili recipe as well. I really do need to get a copy of this book, one way or another -- It sounds like a great series!

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  19. My kind of cookie - use whatever I have on hand and no fancy rolling or shaping! Yum!

    And I think I need to catch up with this series. Sounds like a fun read.

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    1. Yes, it's my kind of cookie, too. I'm not a very fancy baker, but I do like things that disappear off the plate. Makes me feel good!

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  20. I love these cookies and how they are the kitchen sink type. I've used M&M's for the chocolate pieces and sometimes I mix things up a bit. Than you for having this giveaway. Either way, I am excited to read the book!
    debprice60@gmail.com

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    1. Deb, I made them recently for a writer's meeting, and I bought the mini chocolate chips by mistake. But it didn't matter! They were still delicious. That's what I love about this recipe!

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  21. Love that excerpt, Cate! These cookies sound wonderful. I'm looking forward to trying them! Thanks for joining us at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen today!

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    1. Hi Krista, thanks for having me. I'm honored to be here, and glad you enjoyed the excerpt and the recipe!

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  22. A great feature and wonderful excerpt. Love those cookies and great for winter. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, and yes, they are very much a comfort cookie for the cold winter months! Bracing for a snowstorm in Philly tonight ;(

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  23. These sound SO good - wish I were not so cooking - or sewing needle - challenged! Would love to read your book - have not read anything you've written, including earlier books in the series, so it would be a great place to start. jeaniedannheim(at)ymail(dot)com

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    1. This recipe is really easy. You can't go wrong. The only hard part is stirring the mixture at the end. I have to admit that's a bit of a workout :)

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  24. Talk about leading us into temptation!
    Lead on!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  25. My husband would love these kitchen sink cookies if you left out the chocolate chips. Love the mysteries the include recipes as well.

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    1. Honestly, I think the recipe would still work without the chocolate. There's enough going on with the nuts, coconut and oats, let's face it! Or like Sue said, maybe add dried sour cherries, or cranberries, or raisins instead?

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  26. Your book sounds delightful and special. I enjoyed the excerpt very much. I will try those cookies. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I love Kitchen Sink cookies. My mom made them when I was young modifying the additions based on what ingredients were in the pantry. Sometimes they were also called aggression cookies as our "mothers" would have us help make them i.e. stir the mix when we had energy to burn or needed to burn off anger. Memories! servedogmom@yahoo.com

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    1. When my daughter was young, and we didn't have very much money, we would make a game out of coming up with dinner from whatever we could find in the pantry. Sort of like an early version of the TV show Chopped!

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  28. The cookies sound amazing! Would love a copy of this book.
    rjprazak6@gmail.com

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  29. Those cookies sound wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  30. Sounds like a good book (and cookies!)

    pmettert@yahoo.com

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    1. I hope you win the book, and enjoy the cookies if you make them!

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  31. Wow, I would like to have those cookies right NOW!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

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  32. I'd love to have one of those cookies right now with a cup of hot tea (well, maybe more than one!). Thank you for the recipe and the contest~your book sounds great! I love old sewing notions~I have old buttons, thimbles, spools, etc.
    woodrumbetty@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, Betty. Yes, I love sewing notions, too. I really have a thing for vintage buttons now after writing this series. Check out my Facebook page www.facebook.com/catepriceauthor because I sometimes have giveaways of vintage items. I just gave away a needlework sampler from 1936 in connection with the release of this book!

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  33. Sounds likes a great book. The cookies do look yummy. Thanks for the chance to win! Annelovell12@yahoo.com

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  34. I love Kitchen Sink cookies because you can honestly put anything in them! Thanks for having this giveaway! smmolloy1105@yahoo.com

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  35. Will definitely be trying these cookies! Thanks for the opportunity to win - I enjoy your books! rveeshane@gmail.com

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  36. I must try these! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  37. The cookies look delicious! Thank you for the recipe.
    Lie Of The Needle sounds like a great book, and I look forward to reading it.
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. Sound great! Have you ever tried corn flakes in them...

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

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  39. I love this type of cookie and your excerpt made me laugh.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  40. I make kitchen sink brownies so I know this recipe will be good. :)
    afarage(at)earthlink.net

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  41. Sounds like an excellent read! The cookies sound scrumptious!
    CherylB1987 AT Hotmail DOT com

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  42. Love the cookie recipe.
    xzjh04@ Gmail.com

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  43. Hi Kate! Always nice to hear from you. Your cookie recipe sounds yummo (except I'd leave out the coconut...not a fave of mine). Congratulations on the release of this installment of your series! Can't wait to read it.
    sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  44. Well, that did it! There's another book I need to get! That is funny! Thanks for the excerpt! And the cookies sound great too!

    ElaineE246(at)msn(dot)com

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  45. Recipe sounds good and the book does too!

    dm_richards@yahoo.com

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  46. definitely sharing recipe w/my sister-in-law!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

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  47. Even though I don't bake these cookies sounds great!

    sandie.white@live.com

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  48. My son the cookie monster would love these cookies. I must print this recipe out so I can give them a go. Thanks for sharing. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  49. Both the book and the recipe look very intriguing. Thanks for sharing! rencw@verizon.net

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  50. These cookies sound amazing, I usually am asked to bring apple crisp (plain old Betty Crocker recipe) or cupcakes. They aren't anything fancy, but they are tasty. ♥

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    1. When I make cookies, I usually triple the recipe and freeze the unbaked scoops of dough. That way my family can eat it frozen or we bake what we need and don't overindulge.

      llcejka at gmail dot com

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  51. The book sounds awesome and the recipe sounds delicious! Thank you for this chance! areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  52. What a recipe. Love this series.

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  53. Cookies look delicious. Thanks for the giveaway! raquel36m(at)gmail(dot)com

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  54. These cookies sound great!! I am going to have to check out the first two books! Thanks for giving me the chance to win.

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  55. Yum! to the cookies! and the book! foo! on all of you mentioning cherries! now i want chocolate chip oatmeal cherry cookies! woofmew@aol.com

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  56. I'm on the couch with the flu right now, and I wish someone would be nice enough to bake those cookies for me. Not likely, though....
    tcuevas@iccable.com

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  57. I make a similar cookie I call "Clean out the pantry" cookies... they are different every time and are always fun and delicious. I am happy to have found the Mystery Lovers' Kitchen today. I think I will be having a good time on this site :-) The book series looks like fun as well. I will have to check them out.

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  58. oops, forgot my email
    blueeyedbat72@gmail.com

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  59. These look so yummy! And the book looks fabulous! :)
    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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