Please welcome guest Ellie Alexander + book & mug #giveaway

Ellie Alexander writes the bestselling Bakeshop Mystery series and the Sloan Krause Mysteries for Macmillan Publishing.

Ellie is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research.

Take it away, Ellie.

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I’m so excited to be in the kitchen with you today. I know that it’s still only September, but this year I’m breaking all of my holiday rules and embracing the season early in celebration of the release of the 10th book in my Bakeshop Mysteries, A CUP OF HOLIDAY FEAR.

Typically my rule has always been that nothing holiday can begin until after Thanksgiving, much to the disappointment of my husband and son. This year all bets are off. That means I’ve been baking a lot of sweet and savory dishes usually reserved for November and December, like these hot chocolate cookies. Although, to be honest hot chocolate is a constant staple in our house. We live in the Siskiyou Mountains in Ashland, Oregon where nighttime temps have been steadily dropping. Fall has been putting on a spectacular show here in the Northwest with a symphony of colors, brilliant sunshine dancing on the top of sepia-toned hills, and cool, crisp evening breezes.

There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a cup of cocoa and plate of hot chocolate cookies.

In A CUP OF HOLIDAY FEAR, Juliet, my pastry chef turned amateur sleuth, serves these rich and nostalgic cookies during Ashland’s annual Christmas parade, that culminates with Santa and Mrs. Claus illuminating the plaza with thousands of twinkling lights. But you don’t have to wait until the holidays to enjoy these cookies. Whip up a batch anytime of the year. Your tastebuds will thank you!

What about you? Do you have strict rules when it comes to the holidays? Will you save your holiday baking until December or start now?

Happy baking!

Ellie

Hot Chocolate Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter at room temperature

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs at room temperature

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ cup cocoa powder

3 cups flour

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whip butter in a mixer until smooth and fluffy. Slowly incorporate sugars, vanilla, and eggs. Turn speed to low, and add salt, baking soda, cocoa powder, and flour.

Blend at low speed until the batter is well combined. Mix in mini chocolate chips and marshmallows by hand. Form dough into one-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and serve with your favorite hot chocolate.

 

GIVEAWAY

I'm going to give away a copy of A CUP OF HOLIDAY FEAR

plus a holiday mug to one lucky commenter.  

Remember to leave your email so I may contact you. 

Tell me: what's your favorite holiday cookie?

You can find me online at:

Web: https://www.elliealexander.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexander/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwd80ruKbz98VZQGT2I23-Q/featured

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexanderauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BakeshopMystery