Please welcome our guest today: the effervescent and always entertaining DUFFY BROWN with a mouthwatering recipe that has a special link to her books.
While others girls dreamed
of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy Brown longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom.
Today she is a National Bestselling author and conjures up who-done-it stories
for Berkley Prime Crime. She has two series, the Consignment Shop mysteries set
in Savannah and the Cycle Path Mysteries on Mackinac Island
Duffy has TWO giveaways today: make sure to read carefully! Now, heeeere;s Duffy!
Braking
for Bodies is the second book in my Cycle Path
mystery series.
It’s set on Mackinac Island, a chunk of land where Lake
Michigan meets Lake Huron. The island has two main directions...up and down and
with no cars that means everything is hauled by horses or bikes or on foot. If
you live on the island for any stretch of time you’ll be in the best shape of
your life from walking the hills or riding your bike because these are some
hills!
And this is a really good thing so you
can walk off all that fudge!
The town is mainly two streets, Main
Street and Market Street. Main faces the water and the one street back is
Market. There are the usual tourist shops of t-shirt etc but the one thing that
will capture your attention right away is that there are 18...yes 18!...fudge
shops in town. Ryba’s, JoAnn’s, Murdocks, Mackinac Fudge...you get the picture
Inhale the mouthwatering aromas. Partake in the
deliriously delicious confectioneries. Revel in the experience – your palate
will think it won the lottery! The Island doesn’t claim to have created fudge.
But after one taste, you’ll agree that it was perfected here. The flavors are to
die for.
The tourist center says…Born in the years following the
Civil War, the tradition of fudge making is stronger than ever and fudge
remains the Island’s most popular and tastiest souvenir.
I think they sell TEN tons of the stuff a year.
That is a LOT of fudge. And of course there are a bazillion kinds of fudge. In addition to perfecting recipes,
the art of fudge making also plays an important role on the island besides
eating it...you can watch it being made. There is actually a Fudge Festival
every year. Holy cow! Nothing better than a fudge festival!
All the fudge shops have big windows where you can watch
men…usually it is the guys doing this ‘cuse tossing fudge is hefty work. They
throw big kettles of fudge onto big marble tables then use a thing that looks
like a canoe paddle to flip the fudge up onto itself. This creates one big huge
loaf of fudge. Then they toss in nuts and chocolate bits and bits of maple and
toffee and cookie and peppermint etc…you get the picture on to the loaf as they
flip it over and over and over as it cools. Once it does cool they cut the loaf
into half-moons and sell it to the salivating customers lined up at the
counters.
Sooooo, after all this talk about fudge, what is your
favorite? Chocolate-chocolate, maple, Oreo, lavender (yep, it really tastes
like lavender) peanut butter, pumpkin pie, turtle, raspberry, blueberry (it’s
really blue!)
Tell me your fave flavor and share this blog on FB or
twitter and I’ll give away two Braking for Body totes from the answers.
Here is a recipe from Irma who owns The Good Stuff fudge shop in the series.
Irma’s Killer Kahlua Fudge
From her fudge shop...The Good Stuff...on Mackinac
Island
1 teaspoon butter
3/4 cup butter
3 cups sugar
1 can (5 ounces only)
evaporated milk
1 jar (7 ounces)
marshmallow creme
1 cup (6 ounces)
semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons brandy
1 cup white baking chips
2 tablespoons creme de cacao or Kahlua
(coffee liqueur)
Directions
Line 8-in. square pan
with foil and grease with 1 teaspoon butter.
In a large heavy saucepan,
combine sugar, milk and remaining butter.
Boil over medium heat so as not to burn the chocolate, stirring constantly.
Cook and stir for 4 minutes. Remove from the
heat and set aside.
Divide marshmallow
creme between two small bowls.
Pour half of the above sugar
mixture into each bowl.
To one bowl, stir in semisweet chips until melted and
stir in brandy.
Into the other bowl, stir in
white chips until melted, stir in creme de cacao or Kahlua.
Spread chocolate
mixture into prepared pan.
Top with white mixture; cut through with a knife to
swirl. Cool to room temperature.
Chill until set completely.
Using foil, lift
fudge out of pan. Discard foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares or rectangles.
Store in an
airtight container in the refrigerator. Yield: about 3 pounds.
Irma says… Once you add the
chips to the mixture, work really fast as the fudge sets up quick
We say: Thanks a million, Duffy (and Irma too!) for a great post. Check out Duffy's website and sign up for her newsletter. And visit Mackinac!
DUFFY BROWN
Berkley Prime Crime
Consignment Shop Mysteries
Cycle Path Mysteries
sign up for my newsletter: DuffyBrown@DuffyBrown.com
I LOVE the fudge on Mackinac Island - favorite flavor is peanut butter. EMS591@aol.com And here is the link to my tweet about this blog post: https://twitter.com/LizNoVeggieGirl/status/724095705296424960
ReplyDeleteHi, Liz. Another peanut butter lover! My fave too. Any thing peanut butter and I’m so there. Hugs, Duffy
DeleteThe fudge looks divine! Thank you for the recipe and giveaway. (P.S. I want to move to Mackinac Island).
ReplyDeletemyrifraf (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi, Jen. I just love Mackinac Island. The summers are terrific but the winters can get really cold. I often thought I’d like to live there too. Thanks for chatting.
DeleteThank you for the recipe! I cannot wait to read the book!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Dee. So many recipes. I’m going to add them to the next book...Tandem Demise.
DeleteHugs, Duffy
Favorite flavor is peanut butter. Shared on twitter: https://twitter.com/DellaWilliamso6/status/724202335065378817
ReplyDeleteCould definitely use a new tote. Mine is getting 'holy' Too bad the book doesn't come with. But then that would make it kind of 'weighty' wouldn't it Della at deepotter@peoplepc.com
Looking forward to reading this 2nd book in the Cycle Path mysteries. I loved Geared for the Grave. A fudge with Kahlau in it....that has to be a winning recipe. Definitely going to try it. My favorite fudge would be the Chocolate Raspberry fudge that I usually make at Christmas. It has raspberry jam in it. dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDeleteMy favorite chocolate fudge has marshmallow running through it. But I don't make it often any more. My favorite white fudge Has dried chopped cranberries and walnuts. Being that we lived near many cranberry harvesters, this sweet and tangy variety is so enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post from one of my favorite cozy authors. ❤ Duffy!!!! Just commenting....I have a pink mesh bag already and use it often. Thank you.
Cynthia B
My favorite chocolate fudge has marshmallow running through it. But I don't make it often any more. My favorite white fudge Has dried chopped cranberries and walnuts. Being that we lived near many cranberry harvesters, this sweet and tangy variety is so enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post from one of my favorite cozy authors. ❤ Duffy!!!! Just commenting....I have a pink mesh bag already and use it often. Thank you.
Cynthia B
I haven't tried too many. I like pecans and chocolate. suefoster109 at netzero.net
ReplyDeleteHave added this to my TBR list. Can't wait to read it. brichardson0056@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMint chocolate. I have had the fudge on Macinaw....it was a great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteMackinac island is a great place to visit but way too cold to live. My favorite fudge is dark chocolate with nuts and dried cherries.
ReplyDeleteMackinac island is a great place to visit but way too cold to live. My favorite fudge is dark chocolate with nuts and dried cherries.
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me in the giveaway since I already have my very own super cool Braking for Bodies tote :-). I just wanted to get in on the salivating this morning. Fudge . . . yum. Peanut butter is usually my favorite but I might have to change that to Kahlua now!
ReplyDeleteGreat book!!! I love chocolate-chocolates.
ReplyDeleteCarol Smith
penelope223(at)yahoo(dot)com
I LOVE maple fudge. But really I have never met a fudge I didn't like.
ReplyDeleteAlso shared on Twitter. @eswright18
Deleteeswright18 at gmail dot com
I like milk chocolate with nuts but kahlua sounds divan. Liked and shared on Facebook. Kuzlin at AOL.com
ReplyDeleteLiked and shared on Facebook. I love all types of chocolate fudge! Thank you for the recipe and this wonderful chance to win! areewekidding@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMmm fudge...I love Oreo. Shared as well, thanks for offering the contest, lilflynracer at msn.com
ReplyDeleteMmm fudge...I love Oreo. Shared as well, thanks for offering the contest, lilflynracer at msn.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fudge is my mother's chocolate marshmallow fudge with walnuts. Then there is peanut butter by my mother-in-law. I've never tried raspberry but would love to taste it. Thanks for posting the giveaway and info on Duffy Brown's contest. robeader53@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI make a chocolate chocolate fudge, with marshmallows,walnuts,semi sweet chocolate chips and a large chocolate Hershey candy bar. Your fudge sounds really good. I will have to try it! I have always heard great things about Mackinac island. I need to check out this series. Thank you for the giveaway! crossxjo@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is peanut butter fudge. Thanks for the opportunity to win! cking78503@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI like maple fudge. lkish77123 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteDuffy, Liked and shared on FB. I like chocolate, chocolate walnut and turtle fudge. I haven't tried any fudge with fruit and don't care for maple. servedogmom@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletepeanut butter fudge is my favorite. pugpower63@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of fudge but you do make me want to try all the flavors, like the blueberry! Sounds very good! (I have a bag, thank you.)
ReplyDeleteNo need to enter me in the giveaway, just want to say that Kahlua, brandy and chocolate sounds delish!! Congrats on the news release, Duffy.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that maple fudge is my favorite and white chocolate peppermint is my second favorite. Sometimes I like to mix them together and eat them, yum. utaker555@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fudge is Chocolate-Chocolate. I know my husband at Christmas time makes a fudge recipe his Mother use to make with walnuts & it's delicious. Thanks for this awesome giveaway. lindamay4852@yahoo.com Linda May
ReplyDeleteChocolate is my favorite fudge. I will be trying this recipe it sounds good!
ReplyDeleteLisa H
hseaside5@aim.com
I can't wait to try this recipe
ReplyDeletecountrygirl62898@yahoo.com
I can't wait to try this recipe!!!
ReplyDeleteCountrygirl62898@yahoo.com