Thursday, September 16, 2021

Twinkie Tiramisu @AngPompano #giveaway


LUCY BURDETTE: Today's guest is an old friend and I pretty much insisted he come to our blog to share his Twinkie recipe. Who didn't love that treat back in the day? It was my favorite. I also loved his new book, Diet of Death, featuring reluctant food columnist, Quincy Lazzaro. Be sure to leave a comment at the end to be entered in today's drawing! Welcome Ang!


 ANG POMPANOThanks for having me back Lucy. I’d like to share my, or I should say Quincy Lazzaro’s, Twinkie Tiramisu recipe that your readers might enjoy making. I made up this recipe for my new book DIET OF DEATH but soon found out that Twinkie Tiramisu is a real thing on the Internet. 


First a little background. In DIET OF DEATH Quincy Lazzaro jumps at the chance to fill in for Betty Ann Green until she is free to write the “Cooking with Betty” food column. And why not? If he does a good job, he is promised a job as an investigative reporter. 


At first, Quincy doesn’t realize that Betty doesn’t exist. What he is painfully aware of is that he can’t cook. A gourmet meal to him is tuna eaten from the can and washed down with a glass of orange juice and Coke. 


Lucky for Quincy, his neighbor, Mary Ticarelli is an excellent cook and willing to help by supplying him with recipes for the column. Mary also has an ulterior motive. If and when Quincy gets the investigative reporting column, she expects to use her Miss Marple-like skills of observation to help him solve crimes. When a Diet Guru from Westport, Connecticut is murdered she fully expects to help her young protégé find the killer. Quincy balks and Mary won’t give him a tiramisu recipe that his editor is demanding. So, he makes up a recipe of his own and learns a lesson. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Especially in Westport. 



Quincy’s Twinkie Tiramisu Recipe


A Twist on a classic tiramisu that uses the popular snack cake, Twinkies, to replace ladyfinger cookies.


Prep Time 10 Minutes

Ingredients





10 to 14 Twinkies halved lengthwise (1 box contains 10. I used 14 Twinkies to make 3 layers in an 8x8 dish.)

3 tablespoons instant espresso coffee

¾ cup granulated sugar divided into ½ cup and ¼ cup

8 ounces whipped cream cheese

8 ounces Cool Whip Whipped Topping

2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup

2 tablespoons of chocolate powder

2 teaspoons of vanilla

2 tablespoons of Amaretto liquor (I was working with my grandson so I used Amaretto Coffee Creamer.)





Instructions

1. Boil 1 cup of water. Add the espresso instant coffee powder, chocolate syrup, and ½ cup sugar. Whisk to dissolve. Let cool to room temperature.



2. Combine cream cheese, vanilla, Amaretto, and ¼ cup sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Fold the Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture.

3. Dip each Twinkie half into the expresso mixture. Cover the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking dish with the dipped Twinkies.





4. Spread 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture over the Twinkies

5. Repeat for the next two layers

6. Sprinkle chocolate powder over the top of the last layer

7. Refrigerate for 4 hours


Voilà! Enjoy your simple and delicious tiramisu!





Any reader who leaves a comment is eligible to win a copy of DIET of DEATH. Choice of paperback (U.S. only, please) or E-book anywhere. Giveaway ends on 9/17.


About Diet of DeathBetty Ann Green is the Oprah of the cooking world. No wonder cookbook authors, celebrity chefs, and weight-loss experts alike would kill for a mention in the “Cooking with Betty” column in On Topic Magazine. Diet Guru, Dr. Alan Tolzer, is no exception. 


He craves the chance for instant success for his latest Westport Diet Book with an interview by the columnist. It’s enough to make him swallow his pride and try to patch up his long-standing feud with the reclusive Betty.


No surprise there. 


Everyone sells their soul in one way or another in the cooking industry. But murder is on the menu when Betty’s assistant, Quincy Lazzaro, arrives for the interview. Quincy becomes entangled and his complicated relationships with both Betty and investigating police sergeant Nina Estevez is nothing less than a recipe for disaster. Bringing the murderer to justice without exposing the secret to Betty’s success proves to be more difficult than sticking to a fad diet.


Order the book here.



About the author: Ang Pompano’s short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including Malice Domestic’s MYSTERY MOST EDIBLE. His first novel WHEN IT’S TIME FOR LEAVING, was nominated for an Agatha Best First Novel Award. A member of Mystery Writers of America, he was a awarded a Helen McCloy/MWA scholarship for a novel in progress. He served for many years as a board member of Sisters in Crime New England and has been on the New England Crime Bake Committee for fifteen years. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Annette, and their two rescue dogs.


57 comments:

  1. That looks amazing! Who doesn't love Twinkies and chocolate? The book sounds like a fun read.

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    1. Hi, Brenda. Yes, Twinkies and chocolate are great together. If you try the recipe, let us know how it turns out!

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  2. This looks easy enough even for me to make…thanks for sharing. I love the synopsis of Diet of Death, and it’s going on my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Chris. If I can make it anyone can. It was a fun project to do with my grandson.

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  3. Wow! Who doesn’t live Twinkies and a fun book to read!

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    1. Hi, Patricia. Twinkies bring back so many childhood memories. They stopped making them for a while, but people demanded them back, so I guess I'm not alone.

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  4. DIET of DEATH is on my TBR list and I can't wait for the opportunity to read and review it.

    Who doesn't love it when you can combine easy with yummy! I'll be trying the Quincy’s Twinkie Tiramisu recipe soon. It's one that I'm sure company would love too and I didn't have to slave all day in the kitchen. :)
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Hi, Kay. My wife was skeptical at first. Probably because I’m not known for my cooking. But guess who loved it when I finished?

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  5. This sounds like such a fun premise! Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Autumn. My goal was a fun book and comfort food. I think we all need that these days.

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  6. This recipe would be a fun dessert for a surprise ending of a delicious meal. So easy! I will be trying this very soon. Thank you.
    lindalou64(@)live(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Linda. Who doesn't love quick and easy, right? My grandson had fun making it with me.

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  7. I love discovering authors and cozy mystery series that are new to me. This sounds like a great series! The recipe looks yummy too.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Thanks, Nancy. I hope I accomplished my goal of giving readers a fun book and fun recipe.

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  8. I'm going to have to try that recipe! The story sounds really interesting.
    Heidiark@yahoo.com
    Heidiark (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Thanks, Heidiark. Let us know how the recipe turns out!

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  9. Welcome back, Ang -- always a delight to have you in our Kitchen!

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  10. Thanks, Leslie. It’s great to be back. Everyone here always makes me feel so welcome!

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  11. My daughter loves Tiramisu. I think I'll try this recipe for her. The book sounds great. rgp1950@yahoo.com

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  12. That looks yummy.I will definitely have to make it. Thank you for the chance

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  13. Welcome Ang. I used to LOVE twinkies. Might give this recipe a try!

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    1. Thanks, Edith. It's great to be back. It can be fun to revisit foods of our childhood.

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  14. An enjoyable and unique post. Thanks for your delightful recipe. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Twinkies and cool whip? Uh, that's a NO for me.
    But it's all a fun idea.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. I hear you, Libby. Some foods aren't for everyone. I won't eat bacon. Yet, some people can't live without it. Thanks for leaving a comment!

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  16. Sounds like an awesome recipe. Would love to read the book. Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I hope you try it. Thank you for stopping by, Diannekc!

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  17. Great recipe! The book sounds very enjoyable too.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. New author for me. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  19. Hi, Ang! That's a sweet picture of you and your grandson. The recipe sounds as fun as the book! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. All three of our grandchildren have been "cooking" since they were very young. Our granddaughter in California is 9 and specializes in Crêpes!

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  20. Great recipe! Sounds fun to make! Excited to read the book. Thanks for the chance!

    jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Jarjm, I love good food, but it's nice to make fun food once in a while.

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  21. Your twinkie tiramasu recipe would definitely cause the death of a diet LOL. So decadently delightful sounding and super easy to make with the kiddos. Congrats on your new book which sounds equally appealing and thank you for offering a copy for the drawing! tracy.condie@gmail.com

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    1. Tracy it's something you enjoy and then vow to go on a diet "tomorrow." LOL When I was a teacher, we always cooked with the kids. It's a great way to learn math and science skills.

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  22. Although I would taste this if offered, I wouldn't make it. I've never been that fond of Twinkies or tiramisu. I count as a victory any desserts I don't like! Your book sounds great so thanks for the chance.

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    1. Sally, I know what you mean about passing up on a dessert as a victory. I wonder if the recipe could be cut down to a single Twinkie portion. Just to give someone a taste. I'll have to work on that. LOL

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  23. Love twinkies the recipe sounds delicious!

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    1. I hope you try it! Thanks for leaving a comment, tetewa!

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  24. I’m not a Twinkie eater - way too sweet.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    1. Sandy, I know someone who scoops out the filling and just eats the sponge cake. That seems like a lot of work to me. :)

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  25. The book sounds great. Thank you for the recipe, and this chance to win. areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. The book and the tiramisu both sound great! Can't wait to read it.

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  27. Thanks, Kathyc. That's nice of you to say!

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  28. Thanks for the decadent recipe. It looks delicious. Your book sounds great as well. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, for stopping by and leaving a comment, Cherie.

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  29. It sounds interesting but I am not much for tiramisu (or twinkies). The book sounds great. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  30. Hi, Linda. I understand. My wife doesn't like tiramisu either. But thanks so much for the kind words about the book!

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  31. I love Twinkies! Thanks for the chance.
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. Congrats to Anne Berger, winner of DIET OF DEATH! Thank you everyone. I had a great time!

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