Sunday, September 16, 2018

Decadent Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Chip, Flourless Brownies from Nancy Parra


Mystery Lovers Kitchen is delighted to welcome Nancy Parra back again (although our waistlines might wish she'd stop turning out these delicious chocolate recipes!).

Hi, it’s a pleasure to come to the Mystery Lover’s Kitchen again. This time I want to introduce a new book, Forever Fudge. It’s the sixth full novel in the Candy Coated Mystery Series and if you include the Christmas shorts it’s the eighth. The book is out September 25th and will offer more recipes just like this one.

When I first started the series I was asked for only fudge recipes but as readers started asking for more I expanded. Since I have Celiac and can’t eat wheat, I developed this decadent dark chocolate, cinnamon chip, flourless brownie. I think my amateur sleuth, Allie McMurphy would approve. She is after all a fudge maker and these are pretty close to fudge.

This is the perfect Fall dessert for football games, potlucks or anytime you are craving fudgy goodness. The cinnamon chips are usually only out in the fall, so I scoop them up and store them for use year round.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. From Allie and me to you- enjoy!

Decadent Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Chip, Flourless Brownies

12 tablespoon butter
1 1/3 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 large eggs
3/4 cup of cinnamon chips

Preheat oven to 350 F and prepare 8-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper. I like to use a round pan for thicker brownies.

Melt butter gently. Add cocoa to melted butter and whisk. Then add sugar and salt and whisk until well combined. Add vanilla and stir until smooth.

Add eggs and stir in gently until well combined--do not over mix eggs. I switch from whisk to spatula for this part. Add cinnamon chips and gently fold.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs and no wet batter. Unlike cake a clean toothpick means they are overdone.

Your house will smell awesome!

Cool 15 minutes and remove with liner from the pan. Set them on a rack to cool completely (if you can wait). Cut and enjoy!

I'm happy to offer a copy of Forever Fudge to one person who leaves a comment, answering the question, "What is your favorite season?" Be sure to include your email.

About the book:

When a film crew comes to Mackinac Island, the last thing fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy expects to find is a murder victim . . . 
 
SHOT ON LOCATION
 
It's Labor Day weekend, the official end of tourist season, and the beginning of a whole batch of trouble. First, the island is invaded by a TV crew filming a murder mystery pilot, and handsome Hollywood heartthrob Dirk Benjamin needs Allie’s help to prep for his role as local cop Rex Manning. Then, Allie’s bichonpoo Mal sniffs out a real murder in the alley behind the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop, a man shot in the head—with a note challenging amateur sleuth Allie to catch the culprit. Like it or not, the fudge maker has to square off against a crazy killer—but this time she may have bitten off more than she can chew . . .
 About Nancy:

Nancy J Parra AKA Nancy Coco AKA Nell Hampton is the author of over 25 published novels which include five mystery series: The Candy Coated Mysteries (Kensington), The Kensington Palace Mystery Series (Crooked Lane), The Wine Country Tours Mystery Series (Crooked Lane) The Oregon Coast Mystery series (Kensington),The Gluten-free Baker’s Treat Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), and The Perfect Proposal Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime).  Her writing has been called witty and her protagonists plucky by reviewers around the world.  Nancy is a member of Sisters in Crime and writes for the Killer Character Blog on the 8th of every month.  Nancy loves to hear from readers. 

Find out more at:


Follow her:
T: @nancyjparra
FB: nancyjparraauthor and nancyjcoco
Insta: @nancyjparra


63 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing the recipe. My favorite season is Autumn. The colors are amazing, the food is so comforting and I love the clothes!

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    1. Hi Deb! I agree, the clothes are the most fun after a hot summer. Thanks for commenting!

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  2. For many years, fall was my favorite, but now I have found something to enjoy in every season :-)

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    1. Hi Amy, That is a great sentiment and I think a wonderful outlook. Thanks for commenting!

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  3. My favorite season is Spring. This recipe looks fantastic. I love chocolate. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Hi Riley, Spring is so pretty with all the flowers. Thanks for commenting!

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  4. I like spring when everything turns green
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    1. Sandy - yes, right after a long grey winter, the return of green is fantastic! Thanks for commenting.

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  5. When it's the end of March, I love Spring - no more snow (at least not a lot) and everything is greening up. When it's June, I love Summer - warm days, short sleeves, iced tea. When it's October, I love Fall - the colors, the cool nights, the flavors. When it's November, I l love Winter - Thanksgiving, Christmas, snow covering all the dead stuff. I'm just a season slut, I guess. pjcoldren[at]tm.net

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    1. Fall has always been my favorite season. The cooler weather-eventually! The changing colors. The start of a new school year. Having energy again after the long summer.
      patdupuy@yahoo.com

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    2. Hi PJ - I love that term, "season slut" - I agree with loving all the seasons. Thanks for commenting!

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  6. Great review I'm looking forward to this, I love the series, my favorite season is Fall I love it, the weather is cooling down and love the trees changing colors, And it's cooler so we can go out hiking more. Thank you, Penney penneyw(at)sbcglobal.net

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    1. Hi Penny, Don't you just love the smell of falling leaves? And yes, having relief from the heat is why it's my favorite. Thanks for commenting!

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  7. Hi Nancy! Your recipes are amazing. My granddaughter has Celiac so we are always looking for something for everybody. By the time a new season rolls around I feel like that's my favorite, but I think Fall really is the one - not so hot anymore but not too cold yet, beautiful leaves, and although I don't get that excited about Halloween itself I love all the old classic horror movies and watch them all in October.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Sally! *waves* - Oh, I just love watching classic horror movies. Yes, Celiac is horrible- these brownies are so wonderful for that. Just be careful that the cinnamon chips are 100% okay for her. You can also substitute red hots if they are okay for her. Thanks for commenting!

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  8. As my Mom would say, your brownies sound "to die for!" My favorite season is Autumn with its cool, crisp, days and colorful foliage everywhere you look. Also, it's sweater & boot season! Happy Fall! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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    1. Happy Fall, Celia! Love boots and sweaters, too- thanks for commenting!

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  9. Your brownies look delectable. I love summer. Summer has always been my favorite season. The blue skies, bright sunshine, soothing warmth and balmy evenings. The long days which are ideal for walks and sitting outside and reading. saubleb(at)gmail)dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Oh, you make it sound so wonderful. I'll have to revisit my idea of summer. Thanks for commenting!

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  10. Growing up in the NY/NJ area, fall was my favorite season.
    Living in south Florida now, winter is the best.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. Hi Libby, Oh, I bet winter is the best in south Florida! Thanks for commenting.

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  11. This looks like a great recipe, especially since I have a couple of co-workers who are gluten-free...and I also happen to have a couple of bags of cinnamon chips that I wasn't sure how to use. My favorite season is fall. Because of the leaves and the weather getting cooler. aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Autumn, I hope you try this and that they enjoy! My coworkers loved them! Thanks for commenting!

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  12. My favorite season is winter. Because i like to cosy up next to a warm fire with a book and a cup.of hot chocolate.

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    1. Hi Lisa, I love the idea of a good book and a warm fire! Thanks for commenting!

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  13. Thank you! I have added your recipe to my collection and will tinker a bit with less sugar, more Splenda/stevia to lower the carbs. Autumn is the best time of year for me, and as soon as Florence passes over us here in North Carolina, I will celebrate Autumn's arrival with your brownies!!

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    1. Hi Susan - have you tried monk fruit sweetener? I hear that's good as well. Thanks for commenting!

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  14. My favorite season used to be spring but now days I am liking fall for the top position. I like the smell of crisp air, the colors of the changing seasons, and the good great food. The cool weather.daw655(at)hotmail(dot)com
    Debra Woloson

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    Replies
    1. Hi Debra, I love the smell of fall weather, too! Thanks for commenting!

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  15. Spring is my favorite season. It means the end of winter, the cold and snow. It is also a time of new beginnings. Dbahn@iw.net

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    1. Hi Dianne, Oh, I love new beginnings - Thanks for commenting!

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  16. Autumn is my favorite season. The changing of the leaves, the cooler weather and crisp air, leaves rustling in the wind. And baking and getting ready for Christmas

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    1. Robin, I saw a Christmas tree in Safeway today! :) Thanks for commenting!

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  17. Fall is my favorite season. Love the crisp leaves, the cooler weather and all those lovely Fall colors. The recipe sounds grand and I can't wait for the book. nvictoria77@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Vicki, thanks! I love the cool breezes. Cheers, Nancy

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  18. My favorite season is fall. Love th color of The changing leaves.

    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Faith, I agree and I think the sunsets are prettier.
      Thanks for commenting!

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  19. I like spring and fall. I’ve read this series and have preordered this book.

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  20. Fall is my favorite season. I love the cooler weather. These brownies would be perfect year round tho. Yum.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Jana, I hope you enjoy the brownies! Thanks for the comments.

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  21. My favorite season is Fall. I like the cooler weather and the leaves changing colors.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Dianne, Cooler weather is my favorite. Thanks for commenting.

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  22. Congratulations on your latest release. Will try the brownies tomorrow. I like Spring the best in my older years as it finally means that the snow and ice of a New England winter SHOULD be melted and I can get out to do things again without the fear of winter conditions.

    Thank you.
    Cynthia B

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    1. Hi Cynthia, Enjoy the brownies! Thanks for commenting-

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  23. My favorite season is Fall. I love the slightly cooler weather.

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    1. Hi Cecilia, isn't cooler weather always wonderful? Thanks for commenting.

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  24. Hi Lizzie, Halloween is my favorite too! Thanks for commenting.

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  25. I love fall: the colors, the cooler weather so I can get sweaters and boots out. Although I hate to give up flip flops! Thanks for the chance. kathys2014@icloud.com

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  26. Winter, I love snow, it's so crisp and fresh, a white Christmas is most beautiful to me. I remember making snow engels as a child in germany sledding all day long, comming home soaked to the bone in Germany, good times. I live now in Sandpoint and wait for the day I see white mountain tops on my way home, that indicates 4 to 6 weeks and it's at our house. But my husband has COPD and other Lung issues, Winter could kill him so now I appreciate wet summers, so that there are no wildfires because the smoke can also kill him.

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  27. I like fall for the cooler temperatures and fall foliage.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  28. Fall. Definitely fall. I love the colors, cooler temperature, cozy seaters, fresh picked apples, pumpkin everything, and a good excuse for cream soups. mmurphylee@gmail.com

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  29. My favorite season is spring - pale green spring leaves, and tulips, azaleas and dogwoods blooming! rebarger(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  30. It's really a toss up between Spring and Fall! Love this series. Mackinac Island is my heart place! Sue P suepete12(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  31. My favorite season is autumn. Have a lovely day!
    pmspencer 426 at gmail dot com

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  32. Autumn and Spring are my favorite seasons. Autumn is a time where Mother Nature tucks all her flora and fauna to bed for the season where Spring finds Mother Nature gently waking those same up and we see rebirth. The recipe for flourless brownies sound delicious and a must try. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. I love Fall!
    Joannlowehunter@aol.com

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  34. This recipe is to die for! Thanks for that and for a chance to win! I love spring. ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  35. I love Spring and Fall equally. The full circle of waking up in the Spring and slowing down in Fall. Thank you for the fantastic recipe! konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. My fav season is always fall as i am severely disabled and the heat is torture for me. I miss living in Ca but 16 yrs ago found the love of my life and moved to Ia and the heat but here I get to see all of the four seasons and that in itself is a blessing. What a recipe i printed it so hubby could make it for me. ptclayton2@aol.com

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  37. My favorite season is absolutely fall! And we have a family dinner/football game gathering going on tomorrow night so I'll just have to venture out and see if I can find cinnamon chips to try this recipe out. Thank you for sharing! awilcox1182@gmail.com

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  38. I love spring, with all the new flowers and and plants. Thanks for the chance. evening_star1986@yahoo.com

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  39. The recipe sounds wonderful! My favorite seasons are spring and fall;there is such a sense of preparation in both!
    Dm _ Richards (at) yahoo (dot) com

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