Saturday, November 25, 2017

#Recipe for gift ideas + A DEADLY ÉCLAIR #giveaway from @DarylWoodGerber

From Daryl aka Avery:

I'm doing a special weekend post to help out a fellow MLK'er, but also to help kick off the upcoming holiday season!

So let's talk presents.

There's a giveaway below that might HELP you with your present giving.

What will you be buying for stocking stuffers? What books will you be buying friends and family? Giving a book is always a great way to give hours of pleasure to someone you love.

What else can you give them? How about home-baked goods? On MLK, we offer plenty of suggestions for sweet treats. I especially like to give home-baked treats to people that help me (or my family or Sparky) keep healthy all year long, like my doctor or chiropractor or vet. Yes, it takes a bit of time to make home-baked items, but when you wrap them on a pretty plate and you add a pretty bow, they really make people smile.

Well, below, I'm offering a fun one to bake . I know some of you might be pumpkin'd out by now, but I rarely am. I like pumpkin-flavored goods all year long. And this one is SO EASY!

If you want, make these goodies in mini bundt pans (I don't have a picture of that) and wrap them up individually.

I made this version gluten-free, but you who can eat flour may simply substitute regular flour for the gluten-flour and omit the xanthan gum.



Gluten-free Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Blueberries

2 cups gluten-free flour
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (*1 cinnamon, ½ ginger, ½ allspice, dash of nutmeg)
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 whole eggs
1 cup 100% pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ cup milk
1 cup blueberries
Powdered sugar or fresh whipped cream, if desired

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease a Bundt cake pan with non-stick spray or butter, dust with flour, then tap out any excess. In a large bowl sift together the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice (or substitute).

In a separate mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and continue to mix until bright yellow and smooth. Mix in the pumpkin puree.

Gradually add half of the gluten-free flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture. Pour in the milk and add in the rest of the gluten-free flour mixture. Beat until well incorporated. Fold in the blueberries.

Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smooth the top, then bake the cake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake has begun to pull away from the sides of the pan.

If desired, dust with powdered sugar or serve with fresh whipped cream.

If wrapping for gifts, let cool completely!

(*If you make these in small bundt pans, cook for 25 minutes. If you make cupcakes, cook 18-20 minutes. Yield: 6 small bundt plus 3 cupcakes or about 12-15 cupcakes)

  






















GIVEAWAY A COPY OF A DEADLY ECLAIR

As a special giveaway, I'm offering yet one more copy of my new
French Bistro Mystery,
A DEADLY ECLAIR,
in hardcover or e-book.
Leave a comment (and your email, cryptic if necessary)
and tell me what is your favorite gift to give
or your favorite baked item to ENJOY during the holidays?

I'll choose this winner on Wednesday.

 *


Mimi Rousseau is throwing the bistro’s first wedding—the nuptials of a famous talk show host. She is sure things will go awry when the bride’s father shows up drunk to the out-of-towners’ dinner. By the end of the evening, things look sweet again…until the next morning, when her benefactor is found dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. All fingers point at Mimi, whose loan is forgiven if he dies. It’s up to her to éclair—er, clear—her name before the killer turns up the heat.






Praise:

"Talk about a culinary delight, this book is the pinnacle of deliciousness as I devoured all that was written in this exciting new series featuring Mimi and her friends." ~ Dru's Book Musings

"I have been looking forward to the book since I first saw the cover pop up on Facebook and it certainly exceeded my expectations. As a fan of the author’s Cheese Shop Mysteries and Cookbook Nook Mysteries, I knew the characters would be strong and the food descriptions would have my mouth watering and I was right." ~ Escape with Dollycas Blog

Savor the mystery!

*
Friend Daryl and Avery on Facebook
Follow Daryl on Twitter
Follow Avery on Twitter
Follow both of us on Pinterest
Plus check out my website.

A DEADLY ÉCLAIR, the 1st in the French Bistro Mysteries, is coming November 2017. Can Mimi clear her name before the killer turns up the heat? Click here to order.




GRILLING THE SUBJECT, the 5th Cookbook Nook Mystery, is out!
The Wild West Extravaganza has come to Crystal Cove.
Click here to order.





FOR CHEDDAR OR WORSE, 
the 7th Cheese Shop Mystery is out!
Finally there's going to be a cheese festival in Providence!
Click to order.


GIRL ON THE RUN a stand-alone suspense
When a fairytale fantasy night becomes a nightmare, 
Chessa Paxton must run for her life...but will the truth set her free? 
Click to order




DAY OF SECRET 
my new stand-alone suspense
A mother he thought was dead. A father he never knew. 
An enemy that wants them dead.
Click here to order.


83 comments:

  1. My favorite gift to give during the holidays is also my favorite item to bake: a batch of Blondies. EMS591@aol.com

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  2. My favourite stocking stuffer/gift is a gift card to Chapters. My favourite thing to bake for the holidays are sugar cookies. Decorating them is so much fun.

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    Replies
    1. A gift card to a bookstore, I assume. What a great name for one. Lynne, good for you. ~ Daryl

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  3. My favorite food gift to give is actually a Mystery Lovers' Kitchen recipe from Krista Davis, and I've made it for the last 3 years. She posted a recipe for salted caramel sauce (served with pumpkin pie) and it was so delicious and simple to make. I'll hand out about a dozen jars again this year to friends and coworkers. Thanks for sharing your recipe, Daryl - I have 5 more cans of pumpkin puree to use, and your recipe looks perfect! p.s. I've been meaning to get one of those pans with the mini-bundts - so cute! Happy holidays! Nicole nicolev.girldetective@gmail.com

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    1. Nicole, sounds perfect. What a great idea as a gift. Goes on anything! ~ Daryl

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  4. Sugar cookies or stout gingerbread.

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  5. OOps! forgot moodiesmum at yahoo dot com

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  6. I like a pecan praline cookie that is super easy to make. The praline sauce is poured onto a graham cracker base, baked, then frozen to help it set. Yummy.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  7. Pumpkin. Bleach. I’m just going to skip that ingredient. ���� roswita.hildebrandt (@) gmail.com

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  8. Autocorrect! It should say blech 😂

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    1. Zita, sorry you don't like pumpkin. Not sure what you could switch it for, maybe carrots? ~ Daryl

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  9. I love my brother's chocolate chip cookies! No idea what's so different, he uses the same recipe I do but his are just way more amazing even in texture. He and his wife team up to make the cookies for our family Christmas. I actually love giving this same brother NCIS stuff like tees or mugs, we both just love that show! barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hmm. Are you sure he uses the same amount of butter or maybe he bakes them at a higher temperature? Whatever works, Tari, right? Enjoy. PS Love NCIS, too. Getting ready to binge watch a few. ~ Daryl

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  10. Make homemade stockings aruss1965@gmail.com

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  11. I love Pecan Pie!!!

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Wendy, woot! I cannot say Pecan Pie without thinking of Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally saying that phrase over and over. So funny! ~ Daryl

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  12. My late Husband & I use to make his Mother's recipe for homemade fudge every year, it was such fun doing it together. I sure will miss doing this, he passed away a little over a year ago from Kidney Cancer. I love these mystery books & I would be so excited to win this one. Thanks for your great generosity. lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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    1. Linda, my heart goes out to you. I know what you're feeling. There are so many traditions that I miss with my beloved Chuck. A part of my heart is missing as I approach the holidays. It's 2 years now and feels like yesterday. I will keep you in my prayers. ~ Daryl

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  13. I make different breads, cranberry, banana, pumpkin, and cookies to give as gifts. I have never put blueberries with pumpkin before, so new idea for this year! Thank you for the giveaway!
    debprice60@gmail.com

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    1. Deb, glad you like the idea. I think people really appreciate home-baked goods. :) Daryl

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  14. I have small flower pots that I can bake in..so I make several "flower pot" breads to give....whatever I know that particular person likes, I bake for them..they are cute!!

    I bought your book a while back so you do not have to enter me...

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    1. SueAnn, those sound adorable. What bread do you bake and do you add a "flower" to the wrapping? So cute! ~ Daryl

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  15. My mother's cheese balls (recipe now in my hands) which cobmines Cheddar, Blue, and Cream cheeses. Can be made with our without nuts. This year I am making a 2nd one, with Gorgonzola instead of Blue, just to try it out. Sprinkle a little parsley on top and serve with hard crackers that can handle with blended cheeses.

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    1. Claire, I made a cheese ball for one of the first Cheese Shop Mysteries I wrote and it was a huge success. Hmm. Must go through the books and see where that recipe is. Oh, wait, it might be on MLK's list, too. Ha! Problem solved. Thanks for the idea. ~ Daryl

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  16. My favorite gift to give is a book. 📚 I’m a retired Reading teacher so always love giving books. My favorite baked item to enjoy during the holidays is homemade pumpkin bread. I make lots of them. donnaing1@gmail.com

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    1. Donna, I love to give books too. Especially to young readers. There are so many wonderful ones to choose from. ~ Daryl

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  17. I have been giving gift cards more and more, since I never know what to get people. And that cake looks delicious! I love both pumpkin and blueberries so I'll have to try it. mbradeen@yahoo.com

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  18. Marla, I have to say gift cards really seem to do the trick. You can't go wrong. :) ~ Daryl

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  19. I give gifts that are unique and suited to the individual. If they love cooking, baking, art, etc. then a gift of that type would be appreciated. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Traveler, how nice to make something suited to each. That's very special. Kudos to you for being so clever. ~ Daryl

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  20. I enjoy homemade apple cake during the holiday especially during Chanukah. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  21. My favorite baked holiday items are thumbprint jam cookies.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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  22. I make rum flavored pralines at Christmas. suefoster109 at gmail dot com.

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  23. I bake different types of cookies and breads. Love meltaways! I try to get gifts to fit each person, but a frequent flyer is an Amazon GC. You can get pretty much anything through Amazon, it's where I get most of my books! Thank you for taking the time to reach out to your readers. konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. Homemade banana bread from an old recipe of my mother's. mjmphila@yahoo.com

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  25. My favorite gift I gave was when I donated to my daughter's junior high school last Christmas. I went through my garage in my bins and found 94 Books that I had just collecting dust. (Most of which I never read, but knew they would go to a good cause.. the students needed books they could read if they left one at home or couldn't find one they would enjoy in the library) It was a really good feeling to do that. I can't wait to do that again.
    Thanks for the chance. lilyanngill56(@)gmail(dot)com

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  26. We make fudge, cookies, hard candy and this year going to make flavorwd popcorn. This recipe would be great to add to the list. Thanks for the recipe

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  27. I like to bake sugar cookies and decorate them. I really like to make chocolate peanut clusters and chocolate fudge. I usually give out gift cards to that persons favorite store along with a treat for my grown kids and their spouses. Thank you for the giveaway! crossxjo(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  28. I love any kind of baked goodie & like giving gift cards to our local merchants in our small town. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. I also love anything pumpkin---but pumpkin custard is the absolute favorite.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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    1. Pumpkin custard, ala the filling for pumpkin pie? I love it! ~ Daryl

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  30. Pumpkin and blueberries sounds so good. Right now hubby got some huckleberries from a friend and he is planting a hucleberry bush outside. When i was in Ca in a foster home in a rural area there were huckleberries just everywhere and we picked them from morning till night so the mother could cook pies and jam so good. Any of those baked goods are wonderful. Excluding lemon ptclayton2@aol.com

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  31. This year I am making lemon loaves to give to friends.
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com
    Wendy Clark

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  32. We had Thanksgiving with our future in laws and I took jars with two different cranberry relishes, one raw, one cooked.
    libbydodd at cocmast dot net

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    Replies
    1. oops that's libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    2. Libby, by random number selector, you're the winner! Congrats. I'll contact you for your information. Thanks for being such a sweet fan. ~ Daryl

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  33. Every Christmas I make lots of small loaves of cranberry nut bread for gifts. I found out the hard way that tripling the recipe was heavier work than I could handle! I can double it, so I make a double twice!

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  34. I love to give away caramel corn, peanut and/or cashew brittle and homemade caramels. ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  35. I've never had pumpkin bread with blueberries before (maybe I just live a sheltered life) but, it sounds and looks good. I'm going to have to try it.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. The blueberries give it a nice texture and extra sweetness. ~ Daryl

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  36. My husband makes fruit cake for his dad every year - parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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  37. I like sweet potato pie but no one else in my family does.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  38. My mom always makes her pound cake for our main Christmas dessert. So yummy. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. I like baking the walnut cookies that my Mom used to bake every year for Christmas. I love to give and receive Amazon gift cards for Christmas, they make a great stocking stuffers.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. We like to make a deluxe sugar cookie cutouts that we paint with evaporated milk and organic food coloring (made from veggies and spices) then baked, take that along with a 5 ingredient peanut butter fudge and go visiting at the nursing homes, senior center, assisted living homes. A practice we started when I was an early teen back in the mid 60's. We had watched Trouble With Angels. There was a scene in which Mother Superior is comforting an elderly lady whose kids had again promised, but not come. I had always felt that was so sad. But it was not until a couple years later my sister & I overheard a conversation between a couple of ladies. The conversation was related to our parents as well as the scene in the movie. After some discussion over the nest few weeks it was decided that that was what we would do. The shut-ins, nursing homes, etc, those who had no one we would visit each year with homemade treats. We got back so much more than we ever gave. My own kids are adults now. And they have carried on the family tradition. I have a wealth of stories to share, true, from many perspectives. And so do they. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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  41. My favorite gift to give and favorite baked item to ENJOY during the holidays are one in the same. It would be anything fresh baked from our kitchen. My husband and I both love to bake and spending time in the kitchen together is a wonderful thing. During the whole month of December we do a lot of baking – usually double batches. That way we get to enjoy a bit of the bounty while the rest we share with friends, loved ones or folks that we hear about that could use a little cheer. My husband is also very handy around the house. Some times, especially when delivering goodies to the elder, he will do small jobs around their home to help out. I’ve been known to run a few errands such as to the post office to drop off packages or to the store for a few items while he’s working on his chores otherwise I enjoy visiting with them. I think your time can be one of the best gifts that you can give someone whether it’s your time in the kitchen, fixing something or just chatting with them. I know it’s a gift to me to be able to give of myself.

    Thank you for the chance to win a book I’ve been wanting to read - A DEADLY ÉCLAIR. I would prefer hardcover is I were fortunate enough to be selected.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  42. My favorite treat is Highland bars fron Joanne Fluke book. They are shortbread with lovely brownie cookie on top. Yummy Strawberry Shortcake Murder is the book. Candykennedy45@gmail.com. Hope to win. Thoughts to you missing a spouse. I am blessed as mine is ill but still here. If not God knows where I will end up. Not Nursing home I pray.

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  43. The photos of the cakes you have given a recipe for look wonderful for gifts. A friend from back home used to bake up a savory type of shortbread for Christmas specifically because the season is filled with so many sweets. It was a blue cheese and walnut shortbread and she would usually add a jam for topping if one wished. I adored these as a snack. As for what I love to give, t-shirts with pithy sayings make me and the recipient laugh. For example, "No matter how much you push the envelope it'll still be stationery."
    litte lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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  44. My favorite baked item to enjoy is coconut cake.This is the only time of the year I indulge in the treat, so I really enjoy it. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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  45. My favorite gifts to give are items purchased at the Craft's Fair.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  46. I love to bake cookies and anything with pumpkin or pecans in them. Pies, muffins, bread, cheesecake, etc. Kkcochran (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  47. I love my grandmother then my mother's now our family recipe of gumdrop fruitcake. Much better than actual fruitcake!
    betcei at aol dot com

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  48. My husband's bourbon balls are very good (quite stout), and something everyone enjoys receiving. He has the pecans soaking now.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail (dot) com

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  49. I do love all things pumpkin! I've got a pumpkin bread recipe that's got chocolate chips in it, and now I'll have to try this one with blueberry. Thanks for the giveaway and the recipe! bunkielisa (at) gmail (dot) com

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  50. I love to bake sugar cookies and decorate and also no bake cookies. Tinagay1212@gmail.com

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  51. My favorite gift to give is books & handmade ornaments (usually book or wine themed, lol!)
    Happy Holidays~
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  52. And the winner of this giveaway, by random number selector, is Libby D. Congrats. I'll be contacting you via email. Thanks to all for chiming in. I would have responded more, but Blogger has been mean to me and cutting me off after I write one response! Grr. ~ Daryl

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