Leslie K. here, pleased to welcome to the Kitchen my pal and fellow Chicks of the Case blogger Jennifer J. Chow, with a delicious recipe from her most recent book, Tell-Tale Treats. And there's a giveaway of the book, too, so be sure to comment below for a chance to win!
Growing up, I had two cake loves: pink champagne cake and Chinese sponge cake. When I was in NYC visiting my friend a few years ago, she took me to a local bakery celebrated for their sponge cake. Kam Hing even has a sign boasting about their cake right outside the shop. It’s a cozy space, but they’re able to offer trays of delicious flavors—everything from ube to green tea. I’m partial to classic vanilla, though.
Fast forward to the third book in the Magical Fortune Cookie series, TELL-TALE TREATS. Felicity has been called to cater a women’s retreat at a local inn, and at one point, she scours her magical cookbook for a recipe. (Yes, she’s discovered the family heirloom which has secret recipes that only she can read!)
She chooses Serendipitous Sponge Cake! It’s a simple recipe without a lot of ingredients. By the way, I definitely recommend the double vanilla route as instructed (pudding and extract) for the flavor boost! And while you typically think of baking cakes, this traditional style calls for a steamer.
~Serendipitous Steamed Sponge Cake~
3 eggs (at room temperature)
¼ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp vanilla pudding mix
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 cup cake flour
1/8 tsp salt
3 ½ tsp baking powder
Place eggs, oil, and sugar in a bowl. Use electric mixer on high to combine ingredients for five minutes.
Add vanilla extract, pudding mix, and evaporated milk to above mixture. Beat on high for one minute.
Fold in cake flour, salt, and baking powder until thoroughly combined.
Wait thirty minutes.
Line parchment paper in bamboo steamer. Pour batter into basket. Steam on medium heat for thirty minutes.
Let cool, and slice as desired.
Readers: What’s your favorite type of cake? Comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Tell-Tale Treats (Be sure to leave your email address; US residents only).
ABOUT TELL-TALE TREATS
Is Felicity to blame when a hotel
guest drowns after eating her enchanted cookies? Felicity Jin returns
in the third installment of the Magical Fortune Cookie series.
A
group of high school alumnae reunite years later and reserve rooms at
Pixie Inn for an extended retreat. As part of their pampering
package, Felicity delivers a scrumptious assortment of enchanted
pastries, including her new almond cookies.
But the queen bee
of the group is soon found dead in her bathroom, drowned in the tub,
and she recently sampled the delicious baked goods. Could Felicity’s
almond cookies have set off a fatal nut allergy? The enchanted
pastries are supposed to bring joy, not sorrow—and certainly not
death.
Boyfriend, Kelvin Love, is eager to assist, although
odd things have been happening to his senses ever since he baked with
Felicity. Will his extra sensitivity help or hinder the
investigation? Plus, special bunny Whiskers lends a magical paw to
the detecting since Felicity can’t and won’t relax until she
restores both order and magic to her world.
Jennifer J. Chow writes cozies filled with hope and heritage. She’s been a finalist for the Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Lilian Jackson Braun Memorial Award. Her newest series is the Magical Fortune Cookie mysteries; the first book is Ill-Fated Fortune, which Booklist said “will appeal to fans of Jenn McKinlay, Eve Calder, or Joanne Fluke.” The most recent book, Tell-Tale Treats, was called “a charming cozy with a touch of magic” by Kirkus Reviews. Her previous series include the L.A. Night Market Mysteries and the Sassy Cat Mysteries. Jennifer served as a past president on the board of Sisters in Crime and blogs at chicksonthecase.com. She is an active member of Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America.
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