Sunday, March 10, 2019

Oatmeal Creme Pie Cookies #recipe by Catherine Bruns, guest author



Today we'd like to welcome prolific author Catherine Brun, back to the Mystery Lovers' Kitchen.
We know you'll love this totally decadent recipe...and also, the chance to win your choice of any of the books in the Cookies & Chance series. Read on!


Thank you to Linda for inviting me here today! Sally Muccio, my protagonist in the Cookies & Chance mysteries, runs a novelty cookie shop in Western New York. She and her best friend Josie make up to 30 different varieties which include snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, jelly thumbprint, raspberry cheesecake…I could go on and on. 

Sally manages to bake up a good deal of murder as well, thanks in part to the homemade fortune cookies her shop gives away with each purchase. The messages always seem to come true in some shape or form, whether good or bad.

 In Sprinkled in Malice, the seventh book of the series which releases Tuesday, Sally finds herself facing the most difficult situation of her life yet. 

Sally has a sweet tooth and with all the calamity going on in her life it’s natural that she indulges in a cookie (or ten) every night. She’s especially fond of Josie’s oatmeal crème pie cookie recipe, which is faintly reminiscent of the Little Debbie ones that have been around since I was a child. But this version is so much better since it’s homemade and not quite as sweet.

OATMEAL CRÈME PIE COOKIES
 Prep time: About 30 minutes

Cookie ingredients:

1 cup butter-flavored Crisco or margarine
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
1½ cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1½ cup quick oats


Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, beat margarine or Crisco, brown sugar, granulated sugar, molasses, and vanilla. 


Mix well, and then add eggs, one at a time, beating until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon then add to creamed mixture. 


Add in the oats and mix until blended. Drop by tablespoonful onto parchment-lined cookie sheet or non-greased stoneware.


 Make sure the cookies are at least 2 inches apart for them to spread out—cookies will flatten. Bake 8–10 minutes or until just starting to brown around the edges. Do not overcook. Transfer to cooling rack.

For the filling:

2 teaspoons very hot water
¼ teaspoon salt
7-ounce jar marshmallow fluff
¾ cup butter-flavored Crisco
⅔ cup powdered sugar
1½ teaspoons vanilla

Combine hot water with salt, and then mix until the salt is dissolved. In a large bowl, beat marshmallow fluff with Crisco, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Beat on high until fluffy. Add the salt water and mix until well combined. Spread filling onto one cookie and press second cookie on top. Ready to eat immediately. Makes 3 dozen oatmeal cookies or 18 cream pies. Store in airtight containers. 





ABOUT SPRINKLED IN MALICE

Spring has officially arrived, and while the weather outside may still be frightful, Sally Muccio is feeling especially delightful as she prepares a family dinner in honor of her husband's birthday. Sal's determined to make it an unforgettable night for Mike and even includes homemade fortune cookies like the ones her bakery serves, with messages personalized for each guest.

The evening is memorable, but not as Sal had hoped, when Mike and a friend find themselves in the middle of an armed robbery...and only one will make it out alive. It's just the beginning of more grief for Sal, who soon discovers the robbery is related to a scheme that spells financial ruin for her family. Add in her morbid father's book signing at the bakery complete with coffin shaped cookies, a sister who won't stop eating them, and an accidental gig at a local strip club, and Sal once again finds herself in deep dough. Only this time, there may not be a way out...
*Recipes Included*   

Preorder link:  https://amzn.to/2Rh9TIm

This week only you can start the series with the first book, Tastes Like Murder, on sale for 99 cents for a limited time. http://amzn.to/2zVeQyq

Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. Catherine has a B.A. in English and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. In her spare time, she loves to read, bake and attend live theater performances. She also writes the Cindy York real estate and the Carrie Jorgenson (Aloha Lagoon) culinary mysteries. Penne Dreadful, the first book in her new Italian Chef Mysteries, releases July 30th. 


BOOK GIVEAWAY:

Leave a comment and tell me what dessert or food reminds you of your childhood. One person will receive winner’s choice: A signed copy of any of the first six books in the Cookies & Chance series. 
 An ebook copy will be provided if the winner is located outside the U.S. 

Places to find Catherine:
Author Page - https://bit.ly/2nkm0HN
Twitter - @writesmystery
Instagram - instagram.com/catherinebrunsauthor
Currently accepting new members

Get a free Cookies & Chance ebook when you sign up for Catherine’s newsletter:  http://catherinebruns.net/newsletter_bruns/newsletter.html

50 comments:

  1. I remember my grandmother baking apple pies when I was a kid
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    1. I bet the kitchen smelled wonderful! Good luck in the giveaway.

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  2. Chuckled my way through the blurb for Sprinkled in Malice. And as for the Oatmeal Creme Pie Cookies, they sound so tempting. I have been eating low carb since the beginning of the year and not felt very much like I have been missing anything sweet. Well, I am missing it now! Will save the recipe for a time when I want to do something special for a group of people. I will then be able to indulge and make sure that I will not be swayed by sight, scent, and taste to gorge too much.
    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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    1. Oh, and forgot to add that the food that most reminds me of my childhood is dim sum. My family went to that at least once a month and it was the only regular food outing we indulged in, so dumplings and carts in a crowded restaurant with lots of tea and conversation makes me feel like a kid again. Have tried at home recipes but though it might satisfy the craving in a pinch, when I am near the real thing, that's what I want!

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    2. These are always a big crowd pleaser. Thanks for commenting!

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  3. My grandmother lived with us for 7 years. Her baking skills were amazing. My favorite treat was her delectable apple cake. I cannot duplicate it and wish that I had her ability. Your books sound captivating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I had a grandmother like that too. I'll never come close to her culinary skills. Now I'm craving apple cake!

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  4. A favorite childhood memory and dessert is roly polys. These were enticing and mouthwatering delights which I loved. When we were young this was a special weekend offering. Similar to a strudel but baked with pastry and apples mixed with jam. I wish that I could make them for my family.elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. Oh yes! I'm familiar with roly polys. It's been far too long since I've had one. Thanks for commenting!

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  6. Oh my, favorite dessert or foods from my childhood. Too many. But I will go with kolaches, a Czech dessert. A yeast dough with a filling of prunes or apricots (other fillings can be used too but these were the ones my Mother made most). dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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    1. I don't think I've ever had those but they sound delicious!

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  7. Love oatmeal pies esp my grandma’s. My grandma loved to bake & made so nany yummy things
    hwhaley4@aol.com

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    1. Grandmothers are speciallike that, aren't they? Good luck in the giveaway!

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  8. My Grandmother always made us tapioca pudding, so whenever I come across any, it reminds me of my childhood. Thanks for your recipe and for visiting Mystery Lovers' Kitchen! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  9. Dessert-yellow cake with dark chocolate frosting

    Meals-my mother's southern fried chicken with gravy, made from the great stuff stuck to the pan after the chicken cooks, served with homemade biscuits.

    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. Oh, you had me at cake. And I love fried chicken. Your mother's sounds divine!

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  10. Every year my grandma made Peach Cobbler for my birthday. When I was 8 I was asked what flavor cake I wanted. I said grandma's peach cobbler. My Mom started in. But Dad said. It is her special day. She should have what she wants. Every summer we spent two weeks with grandma. Her peach cobbler and her apple pies were always in abundance. She also did a lot with cherries. For everything. Those 3 always bring back memories of days gone by. deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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    1. What a wonderful memory! Your grandmother sounds a lot like mine. Growing up, we had grape vines in our backyard and my talented grandmother would make wine and pies from them.

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  11. Blonde brownies. Anytime I see blonde brownies or even a recipe online for them I'm reminded of when we would visit my grandparents when I was a kid. My grandma made the best blonde brownies & always made them when we visited.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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    1. Those sounds delicious! Thanks so much for commenting.

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  12. Rice pudding yum! Grandma made delicious apple pies too. Grandpa peeled the apples.

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    1. I'll bet they made a great team. Apple pie is one of my favorites! Good luck in the giveaway.

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  13. I grew up in an Italian family, so pasta with meat sauce reminds me of my childhood. You know, the kind of sauce that has to simmer on the stove all day. Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on the new release! aut1063@gmail.com

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    1. I know exactly what kind of sauce you mean. My grandmother and father were both born in Italy. My grandmother made incredible sauce and braciole among other things. Her house always smelled so wonderful. Thanks for the memory!

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  14. So many, but my granny's butter cookies come to mind first.
    Thanks for the opportunity.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot) com

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    1. Oh, one of my favorites! Thanks so much for commenting.

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  15. Taylor R. WilliamsMarch 10, 2019 at 3:04 PM

    My favorite desert was one my gram made with cream cheese and cranberries, and frozen, but I don't remember what else was in it - sure miss her - thanks for the contest - tr Williams 69 (at) msn (dot) com

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  16. Chocolate Chip cookies! I remember me and my sister making chocolate chip cookies with my mom. Later we would make chocolate chip cookies to surprise my mom and dad.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Homemade apple pie. Mom would make the best apple pie from scratch including the crust.

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  18. Zeppole and Struffol (Italian Honey balls with sprinkles) made by my Aunt MAry who taught me how to make both! I love fried foods!!!

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  19. Meat pie---my grandma's was the greatest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  20. Loved those cookies growing up. I guess I will have to make them. We weren't allowed to have sweets only at Christmas my mother was an awesome baker. My favorite dessert she made was homemade fruit salad. Thank you for the chance.

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  21. A cake my Mom made with eggs, sugar, flour and vanilla - the cake would either be steamed or baked.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  22. My mother always made banana nut cake because it was one of my dad’s favorites. The cake was so good! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com.

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  23. My grandmother made the best orange cookies and my great aunt always had ginger cookies waiting for us when we visited!

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  24. We always had angel food cake for our birthday treat. Smelled good baking. But, so did the chocolate chip cookies mom made.

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  25. My grandmother used to make a fabulous prune cake when I was little.
    techols9472@bellsouth.net

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  26. Rice krispies

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  27. My grandmother made the best Date Nut Loaf. Thank you for this chance! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  28. My grandmother & great aunt made the best giant oatmeal raisin cookies. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. Eating cheez wiz sandwiches or German noodle soup when I was home sick from school is always a favorite. And making assorted cookies with my mom when I was little will always be my favorite memories. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net

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  30. Congratulations on upcoming book release !
    I will definitely need to check out the series.
    Thanks for the recipe for the oatmeal creme pies, they look delectable !
    Meal it would have to be stuffed peppers .
    Dessert it would be Layered Chocolate Pudding Dessert.
    BakingCookies32(At)gmail(dot)com

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  31. Applesauce Cake!! That was my grandmother's specialty!!! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. Pumpkin pie reminds me of my childhood the most because that's what my mom made for any holiday or gathering. Thanks. JL_Minter (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  33. Apple Jacks - It fits perfectly in small hands and is so delicious.

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  34. Homemade gingerbread always takes me back to my Granny's kitchen. She knew I loved it. Growing up, when we were able to have military leave to go visit, she always made me a big pan. Nothing like it hot out of the oven spread with homemade butter.

    I love to bake and the holidays are the holidays without my Mom's cut out sugar cookies. Fond memories of my childhood of my brother and I swapping out color of sugar icing while we spend hours decorating all the shapes and sizs of sugar cookies. This makes sugar cookies my holiday memory that I get to replay each year.

    The recipe for OATMEAL CRÈME PIE COOKIES sounds delicious and one I'm going to have to try.

    I'd love the opportunity to read about Sally Muccio"s adventures and her recipes. Thanks for the chance!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  35. Angel food cake with the center cut out, filled with fruit cocktail and jello, then iced with whipped cream. So yummy!! jawdance@yahoo.com

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  36. My grandmothers Macaroni and Cheese! She used to make it everytime we visited! I even talked her into giving me the recipe, which I still make to this day!

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