Sunday, March 12, 2017

Coconut Cupcakes from Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room #bookgiveaway from author Vicki Delany


Today we welcome Vicki Delany back to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. You may also know her as Eva Gates. She's written police procedure and caper series, stand-alone Gothic suspense, and cozies but today she's introducing a brand new series, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries with a hardcover book giveaway. Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the draw, US entries only please.
 
After you’ve engaged in a shopping frenzy at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, located at 220 Baker Street, West London, Massachusetts, be sure and pop next door for afternoon tea at Mrs. Hudson’s.
Head baker Jayne Wilson does a marvelous job of crating the perfect, fully-traditional afternoon tea. You might even be lucky enough to get one of the special Sherlock tea pots and matching cups.
Occasionally, for a special occasion, Jayne is forced to reply on her business partner Gemma Doyle for help in the kitchen. 
A kitchen is not my natural environment, but the following afternoon found me in the back of the tea room as ordered, ready to help out.
“It would look more appealing if you mixed the offerings up a little,” I said.
“No, Gemma, it would not.”
“We can tuck the circular sandwiches around the scones, and the square sandwiches in with these small brownies, that way you’d have consistency of shape.”
“I don’t want consistency of shape. I want sandwiches on the bottom tier, scones in the middle, and the tarts and cookies on the top. That’s the way afternoon tea has been served since time immemorial.”
“Actually, afternoon tea isn’t a long-standing tradition. It’s generally considered to have begun around 1840 when Anna, Duchess of Bedford…”
“Gemma, stop talking. Butter that bread. The smoked salmon spread and the chicken salad are already prepared. The cucumbers, watercress, and herbs are sliced. All you have to do is put the sandwiches together. Follow the assembly instructions I prepared, and cut them according to the design I printed out for you. When they’re ready, cover them in plastic wrap. Got it?”
“I am capable of making sandwiches.” I glanced around the busy kitchen. “Do you have a ruler?”
“What do you need a ruler for?”
“It says here that the cucumber sandwiches are to be two inches long by three quarters of an inch wide. A ruler would ensure accuracy.”
“Roughly, Gemma. Roughly is good enough.”
“Very well.” I set about cutting the crusts off the white sandwich bread slices laid out before me. Jayne began rolling out the dough for another batch of strawberry tarts. The tea room had been exceptionally busy all day, she said, meaning they’d had to serve some of the food she’d prepared for the big group due to arrive at four. At the moment, Jocelyn was washing dishes and Fiona was arranging pots of tea for a table of six who’d just come in.
I was rather enjoying this making of sandwiches. Like a well-oiled machine, I went down the row buttering the crustless slices of bread (lightly), back up the row adding an ice-cream scoop of chicken salad, down the row sprinkling on pretty, green herbs, back up the row putting the tops on, and finally slicing them into triangles.
“Those have got to be the neatest sandwiches I’ve ever seen,” Fiona said.
“Thank you,” I said. Next up: the smoked salmon spread, which would be rolled into pinwheel shapes.

Jayne often makes a mini-version of these cupcakes so go in the top tier of the tray. As dictated by tradition. 

Ingredients
·         1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
·         2 teaspoons baking powder
·         1/2 teaspoon salt
·         1/2 cup packed sweetened shredded coconut
·         6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
·         1 1/3 cups sugar
·         2 large eggs, plus 2 large egg whites
·         3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
·         1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
·         1 1/3 cups large-flake unsweetened coconut

1.      Preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners.

2.      Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Pulse shredded coconut in a food processor until finely ground, and whisk into flour mixture.
3.      With and electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in whole eggs, whites and vanilla, scrapping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of coconut milk, and beating until combined after each.

4.      Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling eat three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers come out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; turn out cupcakes onto wire racks and let cool completely. cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature , or freeze up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

5.      To finish, use a small offset spatula to spread a generous dome of icing onto each cupcake, and, if desired, garnish with flaked coconut. Store at room temperature until ready to serve.
Icing: Use your favorite buttercream vanilla icing. I like to use a splash of coconut milk rather than plain milk. If you don’t normally add milk to your icing, you can cut down slightly on the butter and replace with coconut milk.

 

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers, author of twenty-four crime novels, including standalone Gothic thrillers, the Constable Molly Smith series, and the Year Round Christmas Mysteries.  Under the pen name Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library cozy series from Penguin. 


Her latest is Elementary She Read, the first in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane (March 14, 2017). 

 

Vicki is the past-president of Crime Writers of Canada. Her work has been nominated for the Bony Blithe and the Arthur Ellis Awards.


Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com. Facebook:  Vicki Delany & Eva Gates (evagatesauthor) and twitter: @vickidelany and @evagatesauthor

70 comments:

  1. Welcome, Vicki! Excellent cupcake recipe; and I'm excited about the book & series! EMS591@aol.com

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  2. Love coconut. I'll definitely try this recipe. elainehroberson@gmail.com

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  3. Makes me want cupcakes for breakfast. amysue511@gmail.com

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  4. Sounds like an Easter dessert recipe.
    skforrest1957@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. It would be perfect for Easter.

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    2. I would love to offer these cupcakes in my tea house in Orillia.

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  5. Thanks for the recipe and this opportunity. lsum1258@aol.com

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  6. Welcome! Love the cover of the book. The title itself is engaging. Have always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes and books. That in itself is a big draw. But to add in such a lovely coconut recipe. Yum!! I have added the books to my TBR Looked up & added that is. Never heard of some of them. So very excited about the new additions to my list AND this book.So hope to read sooner. Rather than later. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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  7. Good morning! I'm so excited for your new book!! Those cupcakes look delicious too. Have a great day!

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  8. Looking forward to another terrific series from you!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  9. These look delicious, can't wait to try them in my Demarle mini muffin tray (no papers needed cause it's silicone-you get more cake that way hehe) I would love to be in on the drawing! barbie17 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I have silicone trays too, but I prefer cupcakes in paper wrappings. More traditional, I guess.

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  10. The cupcakes sound great! I had high tea at Tina's Tea Shop in Carmel, IN. The food was arranged just like this - sandwiches on the bottom tier, scones in the middle, desserts on the top. I didn't know it was traditional. I'm looking forward to starting the series. I am a big Sherlock Holmes fan.

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    1. If I may... that's not high tea. That's afternoon tea. They are different. As Gemma points out in Elementary She Read.

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  11. I love coconut and Sherlock Holmes! Looking forward to this book and thanks for the chance to win.
    rjprazak6@gmail.com

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  12. I definitely want to read this book and love recipes. Thanks Vicki.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  13. Really looking forward to making (and eating) these! pattymarsh31@gmail.com

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  14. Great recipe! Zeta(at)iwon(dot)com

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  15. The recipe is delectable. Your books are captivating and intriguing. I enjoy all your novels. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  16. I am a big fan and love the premise of the book...and the cupcakes would be the perfect book club treat! Thanks.
    kat8762(at)aol(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. I served those cupcakes to my book club the last time they were at my house. They were perfect.

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  17. As a child I spent a year living in the Miami area. We got fresh coconuts right from the tree. I've added the recipe to my Pinterest page to share with friends. I extremely interested in your new series and would thrilled to be the lucky winner. NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com

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  18. Love your books & this amazing cupcake recipe I have to try. I would love a chance to win this amazing book, Thanks for your generosity. lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  19. Sounds like a great recipe for Easter 🐣 Thanks for sharing. Great books. Rebeccacase1919@gmail.com

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  20. These cupcakes look yummy..thanks for the recipe! I am a life long fan of Sherlock Holmes, so am very excited about this series! aut1063@gmail.com

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  21. The cupcakes look delicious. I wish I had one now, also your book, to enjoy on my Sunday. Thanks for the chance.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  22. Don't do wheat flour anything. But a low carb one might be nice. Thanks for the giveaway! HUG!!

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  23. I am so excited about this series! Coconut cake/cupcakes are at the top of my favorite cakes list. I will be trying this recipe very soon. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  24. This series interests me greatly. The cupcakes are enticing. Thanks for your enthralling books. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. This series sounds awesome!! I also really like the cupcake recipe. I would try it someday. I really enjoy baking myself!! Thank you for a chance to win
    Piogkm19@aol.com

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  26. A visit to a wonderful bookstore then a delicious afternoon tea featuring coconut cupcakes -- I'm in heaven! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  27. Can't wait to read this book! I loved the Lighthouse Library mysteries . And I get a cupcake for breakfast today cause it's my birthday! Jamuller312@gmail.com

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  28. I can't wait until the book release!! I love coconut so this sounds like a great coconut cupcake recipe! Thank You!!!
    tiggercat24alisha@yahoo.com

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  29. I am a sucker for anything coconut. I'm excited about this book. Dmskrug3(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. Those cupcakes sound yummy! And the book sounds super. Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  31. Yummy love coconut and these sound so good.Book sounds good too!lol

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  32. Thank you for the recipe! I am looking forward to the Sherlock Holmes series. Thank you for the giveaway! crossxjo @hotmail. com

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  33. Looks great - mollie. Iemercedez@aol.com

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  34. Another new series! Awesome. And the cupcakes look delicious!
    debbie.erickson14@gmail.com

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  35. amy guillaume lindermanMarch 12, 2017 at 2:07 PM

    mmmm those cupcakes will be on my menu for easter! would love to read the book! aelinderman@sbcglobal.net

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  37. This series sounds interesting, I'm looking forward to reading the first book, and the cupcakes sound delicious. My email is wishiwasathogwarts@gmail.com.

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  38. Ooh a Sherlock Holmes Bookshop. Love it! turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. Oooh. This was so cruel. Now I want to eat everything you wrote about.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  40. Love coconut. I'll have to make these.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  41. Had to smile at the excerpt. Sounds like a fun read.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  42. cupcakes sound delicious, and the book sound like fun to read.
    embam1969@comcast.net

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  43. I really want to read Elementary, She Read. norbert8bubba(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. Thanks for the cupcake recipe. My BFF operated a lovely tearoom in NY before she relocated to Hawaii. I miss our afternoon teas.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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    1. That would have been nice. Did she open a tea room in Hawaii?

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  45. LOVE new series!! Would love to win the giveaway! THANKS!!! Wendalee50 at aol dot com

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  46. Thanks for the recipe! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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  47. This sounds like it's going to be a great series. Love the cupcake recipe, will have to give it a try. Looking forward to reading the book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. The recipe sounds awesome. I am going to have to try that. I can't wait to read this first book in the new series. Frauenb at aol dot com.

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  49. Oh I have heard such great things about Elementary She Read! I just cannot wait to read it. Thanks too for the scrumptious sounding recipe. sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com

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  50. Those cupcakes look delicious, but I am not a big fan of coconut. I am very excited for the release of Elementary, She Read. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
    magicgirl2357@yahoo.com

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  51. Wonderful sounding cupcakes! I'm crazy for coconut! I haven't had the opportunity to read any of your books, but I will look you up at the library's catalogue today!

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  52. Who doesn't LOVE cupcakes? I love mysteries. Thanks for offering this chance to win your book! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  53. I love your Year Round Christmas series. Can't wait to read this one!!

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  54. Thanks very much to Linda and the gang at MLK for hosting me. And thanks to everyone for the kind comments.

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  55. Delightful book.
    I look forward to many more.

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  56. I love coconut and I love cupcakes. What more could you need!
    harbingerdc(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. Coconut is so yummy and so are cupcakes. The combination sounds wonderful. Now you've made me hungry so I think I will go see if I have any coconut so I can make those cupcakes.

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  58. I have always loved Sherlock Holmes and his intrepid friend Dr. Watson. Your new series will be a "must read" for me.

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