Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Butter-Glazed Pears with Ice Cream #recipe by @LeslieKarst

  

The last of our pears were dangling enticingly from our tree last week, so when I was asked to bring dessert to a dinner party, I decided they make for the perfect sweet with which to welcome autumn.

 



This dish takes only about five minutes to prep, and then another two or three to put together at the last minute, so it’s perfect for dinner parties. Though next time I’d use vanilla ice cream, as with the caramel swirl it was very sweet.


Butter-Glazed Pears with Ice Cream

(serves 4)


Ingredients


2 medium pears, still slightly hard

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon brown sugar

salt, to taste

ice cream of your choice (I recommend vanilla)

cookies of your choice, several crumbled for garnish

 


Directions


Core and thinly slice the pears.

 



Heat the butter in a skillet, then add the sugar. 

 



Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the pears and stir to coat them with the glaze. Sprinkle with a little salt (I used about ¼ teaspoon.)

 



Sauté the pears until softened and golden brown. 

 



The pears can now either sit in the pan until time for service, or they can be placed in a container and stored in the fridge for up to a day. When ready to serve, re-heat the pears (either in the pan, or in the microwave works, as well).


Scoop ice cream into individual bowls.

 



Spoon the warm pears on top of the ice cream.

 



Sprinkle with crumbled cookies, then garnish with a whole cookie or two. 

 



🌱  🍐 🌿

 

Just Released!

Orchid Isle Mystery  #3

MURDER, LOCAL STYLE

Available for purchase here.

 

"The beauties and customs of Hawai‘i provide a striking backdrop for a murder with an unexpected motive."

Kirkus Reviews 

 


 🍍 🌴 🍹

 

Out now in paperback!

Orchid Isle Mystery  #2

WATERS OF DESTRUCTION

Buy link here. 

 

2026 Lefty and Agatha Award Finalist

for Best Mystery/Contemporary Mystery!

 

"Immerse yourself in Hawaiian lore and savor the portrayal of the stunning landscapes
while enjoying the entertaining mystery."

Kirkus Reviews

 



Also available

in paperback!

MOLTEN DEATH

Orchid Isle Mystery  #1

Buy link here

 

2025 Lefty Award Finalist

for Best Mystery!

 

“Karst’s first Orchid Isle novel is part murder mystery, part vividly evocative, colorful sketch of Hawaii and its history, geography, tradition, culture, food, language, and people. Armchair travelers and mystery aficionados alike will find it entertaining.”

Booklist

 


This first book in my brand-new Orchid Isle mystery series features retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen who, on a trip to the Big Island of Hawai‘i, swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions when a hike to an active lava flow turns deadly. 

 

Praise for MOLTEN DEATH:


“a compelling read that will enlighten, engage, and entertain, leaving readers longing for their next trip to the Orchid Isle.”

--New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay




“a terrific debut to a series that will go on my must read list!”

--USA Today bestselling author Deborah Crombie

 

 

A SENSE FOR MURDER

2024 Lefty Award Finalist

for Best Humorous Mystery!

This newest Sally Solari mystery

is available for purchase here !

 

Praise for A SENSE FOR MURDER:

 

“[Sally is] sassy, irresistible company... Culinary cozy fans will be in heaven.”

 --Publishers Weekly

 

“An enjoyable read for mystery mavens and foodies alike.”

--Kirkus Reviews




Justice is Served:  A Tale of Scallops,

the Law, and Cooking for RBG

is the 2024 Silver Medal Winner for both the

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award

and the IPPY Award!


Buy link here



 

 
 
Praise for Justice is Served:
 
"a suspenseful, exhilarating memoir; Karst relays her determination to serve the 'perfect' meal to RBG alongside an uplifting, enlightening portrayal of one of the most admired justices in the history of the Supreme Court." 
 

-Foreword Reviews (starred review)

 

"[This] book is a romp from cover to cover—and, just like a great meal, left me ready for more."

-Karen Shimizu, executive editor, Food & Wine-



All of the Sally Solari Mysteries (as well as my other books) are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.


 

 

 

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

HEAVENLY FUDGE + Giveaway News & Free Haunted Bookshop Flash Fiction from Cleo Coyle



 
In honor of our Ghost reappearing in our newly released Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery, Marc and I agreed this "heavenly" recipe was in order, but before we share our fudge recipe... 

We have two (2) new 
giveaways to tell you about! 


GIVEAWAY #1 

Coffeehouse Mystery 

Giveaway! 


Our first giveaway is hosted  
by Kings River Life magazine... 



Click Here to jump to the 
Eat, Drink, and Get Buried giveaway 
at Kings River Life online magazine
 


☕

Cleo's Prize Package: 

👉 A signed print copy of Eat, Drink, and Get Buried in its beautiful new hardcover first edition! 

👉 A sturdy, canvas Coffeehouse Tote Bag. 

👉 A set of glossy Cleo Coyle recipe cards. 

Contest Ends Saturday 
October 17th


☕


GIVEAWAY #2 

Haunted Bookshop 

Giveaway! 


Our second giveaway is hosted 
by Dru's Book Musings blog... 






CLICK HERE 
to Enter Our Haunted 
Bookshop Giveaway

To continue reading our "Flash Fiction," click here or on the link above and jump to Dru's  Book Musings blog, where you can comment to win a signed, first edition hardcover copy of our new Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery, The Ghost and the Dead Librarian.





Good Luck, everyone! 

Now, for today's recipe...





Cleo Coyle writes two
bestselling mystery
 series with her husband.
To learn more, click here.


☕ A Note from Cleo 

While my husband was growing up, he and his brother were big fans of their mom's Christmas fudge. Marc's mom is now in heaven, but a few years ago, I wanted him to be able to enjoy her fudge again, so I took up her "add-in" holiday tradition. You see, the fudge my mother-in-law made for her son began with the basic recipe found on jars of Marshmallow Fluff, with a few exceptions. Every year she would vary what was added. Some years were walnuts or cashews, other years salted peanuts, pecans, raisins, or M&M candies.

My choice was one of my favorite nuts (the kind you eat :)). The result? Marc said my macadamia nut fudge tasted better than any of the varieties he'd eaten in past years. High praise indeed. Now you can see why this "heavenly" fudge recipe is so special to us, and why we're happy to re-share it with you. We hope you'll join us in our "spirit" of celebration, and...

May you eat with heavenly joy! 
~ Cleo




ORDER UP!

To download this recipe in a 
Free PDF that you can print, 
save, or share, click here or 
on the image below. 
 





☕ Cleo Coyle's "Heavenly!"
Chocolate Macadamia Nut Fudge*

*Recipe slightly adapted from a jar of Marshmallow Fluff and inspired by Marc's mom, Evelyn Cerasini, who now resides in Heaven.

Makes enough fudge to fill a 9x9 pan (for thicker fudge use 8x8)

Ingredients:


4 tablespoons butter

2 ½ cups white, granulated sugar

1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk

7.5-ounce jar of Marshmallow Fluff

1/2 teaspoon finely ground sea salt (or table salt)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 (12-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts (measure after chopping)

Directions:

(1) First line a 9x9 or 8x8 pan with parchment or wax paper, allowing a little extra to hang over the sides for handles. (You will use the handles to lift the fudge block out of the pan for easy cutting.) Lightly butter the paper to prevent sticking.

(2) In a medium-sized saucepan (non-stick, if possible), over low heat, melt the butter. Then add the sugar, evaporated milk, Fluff, and salt. Stir over low heat until ingredients are well blended.

(3) Increase the heat until the mixture is boiling. (Not simmering or burping but truly boiling.) Continue to boil while slowly stirring constantly, for 6 to 7 minutes (do not cut this time short). Remove from heat and let cool for about about 2 minutes. (Why? If the mixture is still boiling when you add the vanilla, the intense heat will destroy the extract's full flavor.) Now add the vanilla and chocolate chips and stir until chips are melted and everything is blended. Fold in the nuts.

(4) Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and let cool at room temperature, uncovered, for at least two hours before cutting. Store the fudge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to ten days. (That's in theory. Ours is always eaten long before then!)




Thanks for stopping by today.

May you...




Eat, Drink, and Read with  joy!

~ Cleo Coyle 

New York Times bestselling author 
of The Coffeehouse Mysteries and 
Haunted Bookshop Mysteries 


Cleo (Alice) with her husband, Marc 


Visit Cleo's online coffeehouse here. 
And follow her at these links... 


"An Excellent Read"


Our brand-new 
Coffeehouse Mystery: 

Eat, Drink, and Get Buried 

 Buy now at: 

Bookshop.org 

+ More Buy Links 



"EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD...FAST-PACED AND FUN...The action starts early [and] Clare is on top of her game." —Fresh Fiction 

"WOW, JUST WOW! Eat, Drink, and Get Buried knocked my socks off. It kept me glued to my seat and up late. I truly couldn't put it down. 10 Stars" —Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
 
"AN EXCELLENT READ and one of the best books in this enduring and endearing series..." —Dru Ann Love, Raven Award-winning reviewer




Eat, Drink, and Get Buried 
also includes a killer menu 
 of delicious recipes!




Jack & Pen 
Together Again! 



In... 

The Ghost and 
the Dead Librarian 



"Ingenious" 

~ Kirkus Reviews



Buy now at: 

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble 

Bookshop.org 

+ More Buy Links 





👇

Cleo is now working on her next 
book and Newsletter 

Don't miss her book news, 
bonus recipes, and fun 
prize package giveaways! 

TO SIGN UP... 
CLICK HERE