Sunday, September 12, 2021

Guest Kim Davis, Honey Cheesecakes, and #giveaway

MADDIE DAY here, so happy to welcome book blogger and baker supreme Kim Davis as our guest on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. Kim generously hosts me and many other culinary cozy authors on her wonderful blog, Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder. She bakes and photographs our recipes, hosts giveaways, and is a delightful person all around. 

Now Kim has her own books out, which is so exciting. 


Please welcome Kim, and stay tuned for her yummy recipe and a giveaway!



Edith, thanks so much for hosting me on my favorite blog, Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen! I’ve been a longtime fan with its perfect combination of food and murder! I’m especially delighted to be here today since Essentials of Murder, the first book in my Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery series, released this week. While my protagonist, Carissa Carmichael, distills essential oils, she doesn’t spend much time in the kitchen despite having grown up with grandmothers who taught her to cook. Instead, she spends a lot of time at the patisserie two doors down from her shop. It might be the delectable pastries and desserts that draws her, or it just might be the enticing baker, Jasper, who keeps her coming in.

While my new series is not a culinary cozy, I couldn’t help but include a food element in the story via Jasper and the patisserie. In Essentials of Murder, Carissa begins to worry a bit about the health consequences of indulging in Jasper’s to-die-for triple chocolate rolls every day. (The chocolate roll recipe is included in the book.) He suggests she try his mini honey-sweetened cheesecake with fresh fruit topping. While not nearly as decadent as the chocolate rolls, the mini cheesecakes satisfy her sweet tooth and makes for a light and refreshing dessert.


Mini No-Bake Honey Cheesecakes

(Makes 15 bite-sized cheesecakes)

Ingredients

1 (1.9 ounce) package of 15 mini phyllo cups

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons Greek yogurt, room temperature

2 tablespoons honey, warmed for 5 to 10 seconds in the microwave

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Seasonal berries

Optional: 1 tablespoon apricot jam, warmed 15 seconds in microwave

Instructions 

*Bring the mini phyllo cups to room temperature according to package directions. 

Place the cream cheese into a medium-sized bowl and beat on high speed until smooth and creamy using an electric handheld mixer.

 
 

Add in the Greek yogurt, warmed (not hot!) honey, and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed, until fully incorporated and mixture is light and creamy, approximately 5 minutes.

 


Spoon mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip and fill the phyllo cups. Alternately, you can use a small scoop to fill the phyllo cups.


Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Arrange berries on the tops of the cheesecakes. If desired, brush warmed (not hot!) apricot jam over the fruit for added sweetness and for creating a shiny appearance.

 



Refrigerate for an additional hour before serving.

Best served the day of preparing, otherwise the crust softens. However, you can store leftover cheesecakes in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Notes

*For a crispier crust, bake the mini phyllo cups according to package directions. Allow shells to completely cool before filling.

For a lump-free cheesecake, make sure all the ingredients are room temperature and the honey is warm, when blending.



About Essentials of Murder


Following a scandal that chased her from San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael struggles to find acceptance in her small Southern California hometown as she opens her aromatherapy and reflexology shop. When she finds a man murdered in her distilling room, Carissa becomes the main suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty—including the new leading detective.


Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and her family’s reputation. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.


Readers: do you use essentials oils? Comment below and include your email (yourname at yourserver dot com) for a chance to win your choice of print or a Kindle ebook copy of Essentials of Murder. Please note, print won’t be available for a couple more weeks so there will be a delay in shipping. The ebook version is available now. Contest ends midnight, September 15, 2021.

Kim Davis lives in Southern California with her husband and Goldendoodle puppy, Missy. When she's not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing the puppy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, or working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats to share.

 


She writes the cozy Cupcake Catering Mysteries, the Aromatherapy Apothecary Mysteries, and a suspense novel, A GAME OF DECEIT. Kim Davis is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. 

Author Website: http://kimdavisauthor.com/

Blog Website: https://cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Davis-Author-1532277473479031

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kookiesandbooks

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimdavishb/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20202599.Kim_Davis

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kim-Davis/e/B093NRS3F2

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-davis-899e51b0-5661-401c-98b1-ec4c2973d58a

 


75 comments:

  1. I love cheesecake, and these look like the perfect bite. I will definitely try the recipe. I occasionally use essential oils — mostly peppermint oil for stomach troubles. I would really like to learn more about them. I’m looking forward to reading your book. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Chris! I love peppermint oil for headaches too. Good luck in the contest!

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  2. Welcome Kim, I love your blog and am so delighted to see you here this morning!

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    1. Thanks for having me here on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen!

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  3. thanks for the chance to win! amandasmother(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. As to date, I have never used essentials oils. However, after being suggested to me by a friend, I might in the very near furture.

    Congratulations on the release of "Essentials of Murder"! Can't wait for the opportunity to read it. Always enjoy your wonderful books.

    Thank you for the delicious and easy recipe for Mini No-Bake Honey Cheesecakes. Anything with the word cheesecake in it grabs my attention.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Thanks so much, Kay, and I hope you enjoy the mini cheesecakes as much as we have! Good luck in the contest!

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  5. These look like darling and delicious sweet treats. I have occasionally used essential oils.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Nancy, and good luck in the contest!

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  6. No I do not use essential oils.
    lindalou64(@)live(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for visiting today, Linda, and good luck!

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  7. Welcome Kim! My daughter loves cheesecake and this recipe looks like one we can prepare together. I do use peppermint essential oil. It's calming and has a double purpose or keeping pests away from my garden. A friend taught me that trick. Congratulations on the release of your book and I look forward to reading it!

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    1. Thanks so much, Tina! I love the idea of using peppermint essential oil in the garden. I'll have to look up the application. I've found peppermint oil to be beneficial for so many things!

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  8. I have tried essential oils for sleep problems. After and during chemo I had insomnia which was dreadful. Essential oils were soothing and helpful since drugs were not something to be considered. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I'm so glad you found some relief with essential oils! Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the contest!

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  9. Welcome to the Kitchen, Kim! So happy to get to host YOU for a change, my dear. And I am so excited about your new series! Congratulations!!

    As for essential oils, well I do use quite a bit of vanilla, does that count? :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Leslie! I'm thrilled to be a part of MLK today and share my new book with readers! Ah vanilla... it's more of a tincture but the fragrance definitely elevates my mood so can be categorized as aromatherapy in my opinion :)

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  10. I tried a peppermint oil a couple times for allergies, other than that I really don't know much about them. I try to be careful since I know many of them are not safe for my cat.
    Love your Cupcake series so I'm sure this will be good too. Congrats on the new series!
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks so much, Alicia! I agree it's best to be cautious with animals around so I rarely use a diffuser. I like the applications that can be used directly on my skin, away from where my puppy might be tempted to taste :) Good luck in the contest!

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    2. Congratulations, Alicia! You are the chosen winner to receive a copy of Essentials of Murder. I've sent you an email, so check your inbox or spam folder if you don't see it.

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  11. Peppermint and lavender oils Donakutska7@gmail.com

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    1. Those are my two favorite oils as well! Good luck in the contest!

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  12. Welcome, Kim. I love your recipe. Cream cheese, Greek yogurt,and berries--a few of my favorite things. I'm sensitive to scents, so the only oils I consider essential are olive and sesame. Congratulations on your new book and series! ~Maya

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    1. Thanks so much, MaryAnn! I'm delighted to be here today. I'm sensitive to some scents as well, so I try to experiment with a light hand and water and soap close by. Luckily, peppermint and lavender work well for me and have helped relieve headache symptoms.

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  13. Delectable recipe. Essential oils have given me hope since my health concerns were major and affecting my entire life. I hope that they will continue to give me relief. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I'm so glad you've found benefits from essential oils! And I hope they continue to do so for you. Good luck in the contest!

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  14. Congrats Kim! I have used peppermint oil, but that is about as far as I have explored essential oils.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Julia, and good luck in the contest! Peppermint oil is one of my favs alongside lavender - both a good headache relievers!

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  15. The glaze sounds like the perfect touch...the "icing" on the cake, as it were!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Libby! The glaze does add a bit of pizzazz plus I love the light taste of apricots that it adds :) Good luck in the contest!

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  16. Hi, I’ve never used essential oils.
    sgiden at verizon dot net

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Sandy, and good luck in the contest!

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  17. I have used essential oils. Lavender is my favorite. Very relaxing. Congratulations on your new book.
    Dianne diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Lavender is so versatile! Thanks for dropping by and good luck in the contest!

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  18. Love using essential oils in my diffuser.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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    1. Awesome! A diffuser is wonderful but with a new puppy in the house, I haven't gotten around to determining what essential oils might be beneficial or harmful for pets, so I don't use it for now. One of these days I'll find the time to research and maybe include in a future book :) Good luck in the contest!

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  19. I do not use essential oils. Thanks for the chance. I would love the print copy. almaj80(at)suddenlink(dot)net

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the contest!

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  20. Congratulations, Kim! Best of luck with the new series. I am a cheesecake fanatic and that recipe looks amazing. Then again, all of your recipes are amazing!

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    1. Thanks so much, Catherine! I love this recipe because it's so easy yet tastes and looks like some effort was put into making it :)

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  21. Nope don't use them. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kim, and good luck in the contest!

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  22. Thanks for the recipe, love cheesecake. Would love to get a print copy! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You're very welcome and good luck in the contest!

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  23. I like the idea of them but am cautious since I have allergies. I can't stand flowers in the house and haven't worn perfume for years. I have used soaps with lavender or other scents and use Yogi ginger tea for nausea. Your book sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance.

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    1. I know some allergies can be an issue when using essential oils but glad the lavender soaps seems to work for you. Good luck in the contest!

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  24. I like a menthol of some sort on my temple or forehead for my migraines or headaches. I only know it's menthol, not a specific oil.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. I've found peppermint oil has been good for helping with headaches. It's probably similar to menthol. Thanks for dropping by and good luck in the contest!

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  25. Have only used one time when had a headache at my sister’s place and she gave me some to try.

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  26. Glad you were able to give it a try! Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the contest!

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  27. I have used lavender essential oil. Thank you for the recipe, and this chance. areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Lavender has so many uses and is one of my favs! Good luck in the contest!

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  28. Very pretty dessert, and it sounds yummy and best of all, easy. I haven't ever used essential oils.
    Mickeymania1@aol.com

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    1. Thanks! And I agree, it is SO easy :) Good luck in the contest!

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  29. I have never used essential oils, mostly because I don't really know very much about them. This old dog is always ready to learn New tricks, however!
    Lisacobblestone(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa, and good luck in the contest!

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  30. I love essential oils and I do use them regularly. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. That's awesome! I have my favorites and don't experiment nearly as much as I'd like. Good luck in the contest!

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  31. Your recipe looks great. I haven't used essential oils very much. However, I use peppermint tea for stomach and Vicks Vaporub for headaches.
    Cathi_7 at Yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks! I haven't thought to use Vicks for headaches but it's probably very similar to the peppermint oils I use for that purpose. Good to know since Vicks is so readily available, especially when traveling. Good luck in the contest!

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  32. Hi! I have not used essential oils! Thanks for this chance! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome, Linda, and good luck in the contest!

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  33. I’ve dabbled a bit with essential oils, primarily with a diffuser. I’m planning to try the cheesecake recipe, already with the intent to double the recipe! bskts4unme(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. It's a good idea to double the recipe... these go quick if you have more than a couple people to share with :) I made a single batch since my husband can't eat dairy and I didn't think I should over indulge by making more. Good luck in the contest!

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  34. I do for so many things! I started about 6 years ago when my daughter came home from grandma's with mosquito bites, they were 5 inch welts on her limbs. I read about lavender oil, I happened to have some. I dabbed it on, the itching stopped almost immediately and those lumps were gone by morning. Now I use oils for a lot of things. Oh, those cheesecakes look divine! We have a couple of dairy free and gluten free kids in our house...I might see about fudging the recipe. I'll let you know how they turn out. Thank you for the recipe and the opportunity! konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. Hi, Kim! I enjoy your recipes and now look forward to reading your new book! Yes, I've used essential oils for many years, for various purposes, including when I went through phases of making my own soaps, candles, pot pourri,and diffusers. I've even used diluted orange oil on musty old furniture. I love concocting my own fragrances! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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  36. terry0743@aol.com
    Have never used any oils. Enjoy the recipes though.

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  37. The cheesecake recipe looks delicious. I mostly use essential oils for sleep, lavender, etc. My roommate uses essential oils in his soaps.

    kaye.killgore (at) comcast (dot) com

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  38. Congrats on your book! Love the recipe! I use essential oils in my diffuser a lot! I've been on a rose essential oil kick lately. Love the smell. Thanks for the chance!

    jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. I don't currently use essential oils, though I have used them once or twice (for a homemade salt scrub.) I definitely would not mind using them more. I love a variety of fragrances.
    smurphy (at) macados (dot) net

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  40. Love the cheese cake recipe, I don't use essentials oils right now. Thanks for this amazing giveaway. Linda May. Maycarlson6848@gmail.com

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  41. I do use essential oils! And the recipe sounds amazing!

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  42. Congratulations to Alicia (kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com) the winner of Essentials of Murder!

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