LUCY BURDETTE: We are delighted to have an old friend visiting today with a new book! Please welcome Daryl to talk about all that, plus offer a coffee cake and a giveaway!
DARYL WOOD GERBER: I’m so excited because my latest Fairy Garden Mystery, A FLICKER OF A DOUBT, just came out. What’s a fairy garden? It’s a whimsical miniature garden that tells a story, complete with plants—living or faux—and decked out with fairy figurines as well as structures like fairy houses or castles or huts, swings and slides, and whatever else suits your fancy.
At Open Your Imagination, a fairy garden shop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a charming town on the coast of California, you will find items to delight your inner child and inspire you to make your own fairy gardens. If you’d like, you can even sign up for a fairy garden class given by the owner, Courtney. On the weekends, Courtney serves afternoon tea. Fairies love tea, and there are fairies that populate my stories. Yes, real fairies. Fiona, a righteous fairy who is in the human world to help humans solve problems, lives in the ficus trees that populate the shop’s lovely covered patio.
I have had such fun making tea treats to include as recipes in the books, like tea cakes, brownies, cookies, and scones. In the fourth edition, I share a gluten-free cinnamon coffee cake recipe. The flavors are warm and inviting; the texture is perfect. Why gluten-free? Because I’m a celiac. *If you want to make this using regular flour, substitute out the flour for the gluten-free flour, and omit the xanthan gum.
Savor the mystery!
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Gluten-free Version
(Yield: 12-24 slices)
For the cake:
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sour cream, divided
3 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
2 2/3 cup gluten-free flour blend (*see blend below)
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces, softened
1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the topping:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
5 teaspoons milk
Cinnamon for dusting
To make the cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an angel food-like tube pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 cup of the sour cream, and 1 tablespoon of the vanilla.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle or in a food processor, mix the gluten-free flour blend, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and xanthan gum until combined. Add the remaining 1/2 cup sour cream and softened butter, and mix until the dry ingredients are moistened and the butter is the size of peas. Gradually add the egg mixture in small portions to the dry mixture, beating after each addition. When it’s all added, scrape down the bowl, and then beat on medium-high until the batter is fluffy, about 1 minute. This will be a thick batter.
Put 1 cup of the batter into a small bowl and add in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and cinnamon.
Pour the regular batter into the tube pan. Drop dollops of the cinnamon batter on top. Using a knife, work the cinnamon batter into the regular batter, swirling so the cinnamon batter will be inside the cake. Don’t overmix.
Bake the cake for 45—55 minutes. Remove from oven and let the cake stand for 30 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and let cool on a wire rack for an hour.
For the topping:
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk. Pour the glaze evenly over the top of the cooled cake. Dust with cinnamon, if desired.
Tip: Coffee cake is best eaten right after it’s been baked, but you can save this by cutting slices and wrapping them individually in a good saran wrap. It should last at least 3 days, and if frozen, up to 3 months.
Gluten-free Flour Blend: I like to combine 2 cups (less 2 tablespoons) of sweet rice flour and 2/3 cup tapioca starch, plus 2 tablespoons of whey powder. The total will measure 2 2/3 cup of blended flour.
About A FLICKER OF A DOUBT
With a theater foundation tea and an art show planned at Violet Vickers’s estate, Courtney is hired to create charming fairy gardens for the event. It’s not so charming, however, when her best friend Meaghan’s ex-boyfriend turns out to be Violet’s latest artistic protégé. Even worse, not long after Meaghan locks horns with him, his body is found in her yard, bludgeoned with an objet d’murder.
There’s a gallery of suspects, from an unstable former flame to an arts and crafts teacher with a sketchy past. But when the cops focus on Meaghan’s business partner, who’s like a protective older brother to her, and discover he also has a secret financial motive, Courtney decides to draw her own conclusions. Fearing they’re missing the forest for the trees, and with some help from Fiona the sleuthing fairy, she hopes to make them see the light . . .
“Plenty of suspects, gardening tips, and fairy lore combine for a sweet treat.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
Giveaway: Daryl is giving away, to one commenter, a choice of Fairy Garden Mysteries (print or ebook) and a Savor the Mystery tote bag.
About Daryl: Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling mysteries, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense novels and short stories. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, fairy garden, and read. She has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line. And she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website:
WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber
BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1
INSTAGRAM: https//instagram.com/darylwoodgerber
GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber
AMAZON: amazon: https://bit.ly/Daryl_Wood_Gerber_page
NEWSLETTER: https://darylwoodgerber.com/contact-media/
That cake looks delicious. Going to try and make it today if I can.
ReplyDeleteKitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net
Christine, I hope you will. I've tried it without the sugar drizzle and it's more like "cinnamon toast" cake. :)
DeleteI'm hoping to make a fairy garden in memory of my little cat who passed away a few weeks ago. Princess Belle was 17 1/2 and very sweet and before she got sick she loved going outdoors and exploring. I need to recover first and research what plants will do well with the Florida heat. It will be fun looking for items that will remind me of Belle and fairies. Thank you so much for this chance. I read the first book and loved it. pgenest57 at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteOh, "Qnofdnile" - I'm so sorry for your loss. What a long life she lived. A fairy garden would be a wonderful tribute! Thanks for the compliment re: the first book. I'm so glad it's resonating with readers. ~ Fairy best wishes, Daryl
DeleteThank you for the delicious sounding recipe. We love anything cinnamon and this sounds like a great way to start the day.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoy reading your books. They have opened my eyes up to a fun craft and to fairies. Can't wait for the opportunity to read and review "A FLICKER OF A DOUBT", which is on my TBR list. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy and a Savor the Mystery tote bag. Share and hoping to be the very fortunate one selected.
Happy Easter! May your Easter and all your days be blessed with HIS wonderful love.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Kay, how lovely to see you here. I'm thrilled you're enjoying the series. Make me smile. :) Hugs, Daryl
DeleteI really enjoy these books. I’ve recommended them to a few people who are avid readers. The recipes are also delicious; in which, I’m gonna have to try the one above. Fairy gardens are amazing. I started one for my mom a couple years ago and each year for Mother’s Day I buy her another item she can add to her garden.
ReplyDeleteOh, how sweet to engage your mother in fairy gardens. That's just lovely! Kudos! ~ Daryl
DeleteSorry the website wasn’t allowing me to change the comment as
ReplyDeleteWell, pooh on the website! You are seen. ;) ~ Daryl
DeleteWelcome! The coffee looks and sounds so delicious! Will have to make it soon. Love your books. Thanks so much for the chance! Adore the magical book cover look!
ReplyDeletejarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oops, that was *coffee cake* :)
DeleteHAHA. Yes the coffee was good with the cake. :) I love the covers, too. Very very happy with the artist. She captures the magic. ~ Daryl
DeleteHappy Easter. thanks for sharing this wonderful looking recipe. lsmanski at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you, too. Enjoy. ~ Daryl
DeleteThe cake looks delicious. Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteAnita, I hope you'll try the cake. I just made another one for today. The aroma is super yummy. ~ Daryl
DeleteCongratulations on another book! I love your fairy garden and the cake looks delicious. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Riley. I'm so glad you like the series. Makes my heart smile. ~ Daryl
DeleteI have rad and enjoyed other books by Daryl Wood Gerber. I'd love to read another one!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
That should have been read!
DeleteBut Nancy, aren't they "rad" too? :) Thanks for the compliment. ~ Daryl
DeleteHappy Easter. cheetahthecat1982ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteSame to you, Kim. ~ Daryl
DeleteOh I love cinnamon coffee cake - thank you for an easy GF recipe. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com and thank you for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteApril, it is really easy, too. Enjoy! ~ Daryl
DeleteCongratulations on your latest best seller (no doubt)!!! Thank you for your brilliant writing and for providing us readers hours of fun. Your recipe looks delicious and I shall try it. Happy Easter Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteWell, that is sweet of you to say, Luis. Here's hoping! ~ Daryl
DeleteWarm cinnamon coffee cake sounds delicious. Hmm, perhaps a bit of streusal topping added?
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you back in the kitchen.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Libby, a bit of streusel would be a fabulous addition! So nice to see you, too. ~ Daryl
Deletei do enjoy this series and wish i was creative enough to make my own fairy garden. fruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net
ReplyDeleteFruitcrmble, it doesn't take a lot of creativity to make one. You can even use faux plants! It's just whatever your imagination wants to create. Just add a fairy door to the base of a tree, and voila, a fairy might appear. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteThanks for the recipe - looks delicious. Love the Fairy Garden Mysteries!
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
Thanks so much, Taurus. I sure enjoy writing them. ~ Daryl
DeleteThe coffee cake is so delectable. Perfect with tea. Wonderful series which I enjoy greatly. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletePetite, yes, this cake is good with tea. And thanks for enjoying the series. They're simply a magical getaway . . . with a little bit of murder. ~ Daryl
DeleteThe Fairy Garden series is delightful. I will be making this yummy coffee cake for sure. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! It's a good dense cake and quite satisfying. ~ Daryl
DeleteI love coffee cake- thanks for the recipe!!
ReplyDeleteOops- luvs2read4fun (at) gmail (dot) com
DeleteLuvs2Read, you bet! Enjoy. ~ Daryl
DeleteThe coffee cake looks amazing. Love the Fairy Garden series. Looking forward to reading "A Flicker Of A Doubt".
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Dianne, I hope you enjoy the story. I had a great time coming up with the plot. ~ Daryl
DeleteFairy Garden is a cute idea and you can keep adding each year if you want.
ReplyDeleteThanks for cake recipe, looks delicious.
Please enter me in giveaway
Hope I Win
Happy Easter
Exactly, Crystal. Like life, a fairy garden doesn't have to be done when it's done. It can evolve! Enjoy. ~ Daryl
DeleteI’ve read the first 2 fairy books and enjoyed them. Looking forward to getting caught up. 😁
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I hope you will read them. Another comes out next year! Yay! ~ Daryl
DeleteI love love love cinnamon coffee cake! Can't wait to find out what Fiona has been up to. patdupuy@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletePat D, I hope you enjoy her antics. She's really blossoming. ~ Daryl
DeleteHappy Easter thank you for the recipe deborahortega229@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteDeborah, thanks for chiming in! ~ Daryl
DeleteThat cake looks delicious. I might have to try it. Happy Easter. Lois - Rainonlois@aol.com
ReplyDeleteLois, I hope you will. :) ~ Daryl
DeleteFrom Candy daulton. I'm enjoying the series. I would love to win book 4 to continue the series. Thank you for the gluten free coffee cake. that sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love cinnamon coffee cake. It looks fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy Easter. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry, it did not post my name. Debra Pruss dpruss@prodigy.net
DeleteDebra, so glad you like the look of the cake. It is a pretty one. ~ Daryl
DeleteLove the picture of the fairy garden and thanks for sharing the recipe. Happy Easter! cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCherie, thanks. I have such a fun time making them. ~ Daryl
DeleteHi Daryl! The coffee cake looks delicious and I've been try more gluten free recipes. Congrats on the book release of "A Flicker of a Doubt", too! I love anything to do with fairies.
ReplyDeleteTina, I'm glad to hear you're trying GF recipes. They're a good challenge for a baker. ~ Daryl
DeleteI love Daryl's books. Thank you for the recipe, and this chance to win! Happy Easter. areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteRobyn, so lovely to see you here. Thanks for the compliment. ~ Daryl
DeleteI can't wait to read this book... Or to try this coffee cake. My dad and I work on projects on the weekend and part of my payment is fresh baked goods. Everybody wins! I enjoy both of your series and hope to read many more. Give Sparky a pat for me. Hsim3691 at Gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteOh, what a nice thing for you to do with your dad! Fun. ~ Daryl
DeleteLooking forward to trying this recipe AND the new book! Thanks for this opportunity. dm_richards (at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyDeleteDM, thanks! :) ~ Daryl
DeleteThe cake looks good. sgiden at verizon(.)net
ReplyDeleteSandy, thanks. Enjoy. ~ Daryl
DeleteI enjoy reading your books! Thanks for offering this giveaway! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I appreciate hearing it. ~ Daryl
DeleteThe recipe looks delicious! Love the Fairy Garden series!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for telling me. ~ Daryl
DeleteThe winner of this giveaway by random selection is Cherie J. I'll be in touch via email. Congrats and thanks to all for chiming in! Fairy best wishes to all. ~ Daryl
ReplyDelete