C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 138

January 10, 2017

Wednesday Special Spotlight Sharon Ledwith

Wednesday Special Spotlight
Shines On
The ever-engaging Sharon Ledwith is in the kitchen to ward off the cold with her hearty soup. Take it away, Sharon!

This is a fantastic soup to serve to your crew, and freezes well. Salad, hard rolls, and wine (red or white) complete this meal! You can make it 24 hours ahead of time without the noodles and wait to add noodles when you reheat the soup to serve.


SAVORY SAUSAGE SOUP



1½ pounds sweet Italian sausage*

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 small onions, chopped

2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes

1¼ cup dry red wine

5 cups beef broth

½ tsp. dried basil

½ tsp. dried oregano

2 zucchini, sliced

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

1 (16 ounce) package spinach fettuccine pasta (or plain, whatever your heart desires)

Salt and pepper to taste


In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Drain fat from pan, reserving 3 tablespoons. If desired, instead of ground sausage, cut sausages in thin slices.


Sauté garlic and onion in reserved fat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, wine, broth, basil, and oregano. Transfer to a slow cooker, and stir in sausage, zucchini, bell pepper, and parsley.


Cover, and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.


Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Break pasta into smaller pieces and drop into boiling water. Cook until al dente, about 7 minutes after the water returns to the boil. Drain water, and add pasta to slow cooker. Simmer for a few minutes, and season with salt and pepper before serving.


Serve topped with grated parmesan.


* Use ground sausage or links you’ve broken into bits or sliced thin.


This recipe can also be made on your stovetop. Follow the directions, but instead of the slow cooker, combine all your ingredients in your original pot. Simmer partially covered for 1 hour.


Give yourself a well-deserved break while your soup simmers. Sit back, prop up your feet, and open a book you’ve been meaning to read. Why not pick up one of The Last Timekeepers adventures, and peruse the latest mission with Treena and her time traveling cohorts?



Only a true hero can shine the light in humanity’s darkest time.


Fourteen year-old Jordan Jensen always considered himself a team player on and off the field, until the second Timekeeper mission lands him in Amsterdam during World War Two. Pulled into the world of espionage, torture, and intolerance, Jordan and the rest of the Timekeepers have no choice but to stay one step ahead of the Nazis in order to find and protect a mysterious book.


With the help of the Dutch Resistance, an eccentric baron, Nordic runes, and an ancient volume originating from Atlantis, Jordan must learn that it takes true teamwork, trust, and sacrifice to keep time safe from the evils of fascism. Can Jordan find the hero within to conquer the darkness surrounding the Timekeepers? If he doesn’t, then the terrible truth of what the Nazis did will never see the light of day.


EXCERPT

“I wonder what else is down here.” Drake beamed his cell phone across the basement, hitting jars of jams, pickles, and relishes. His stomach growled.


Jordan pulled the cheese from his pocket and handed it to Drake. “Trade you for your phone.”


“Best. Trade. Ever.” Drake passed his phone to Jordan.


Jordan walked over and grabbed a jar of pickles off the dusty shelf. At least they wouldn’t arrive at the baron’s place hungry. He hoped his uncle had managed to stop Amanda’s bleeding. His hand tightened over the jar, the ridges of the lid cutting into his palm. A scrape from behind the shelves made Jordan jump.


“Hello?” he asked, pushing jars aside. He flashed the cell phone into the small, dark area.


“Who ya talking to, Jordan?” Drake asked with his mouth full of cheese.


“Shhh, Drake.” Jordan listened. Hearing nothing, he shrugged and turned back around.


“I thought I heard—” Jordan stopped and pointed the phone at Ravi. His jaw dropped. “A-Are you serious, Sharma?”


Drake spat out his cheese, snorting with laughter.


“Is there a problem?” Ravi asked, tying the bowtie of his tuxedo.


“You look like a penguin with attitude!” Drake slapped his knee.


“Say what you want, but I’m glad we didn’t hit the cleaners on the way to school now,” Ravi replied, pulling down his sleeves, “or else I wouldn’t have these dry clothes.”


Jordan chuckled. Suddenly, he heard a door creak open, followed by heavy footsteps squeaking down the stairs. Panicking, Jordan stuffed Drake’s phone in his track suit jacket’s pocket and waved Drake over by the shelves. Drake slipped behind Jordan just in time, before the small light bulb above the bottom of the stairs clicked on. Jordan swallowed hard. There, staring directly at Ravi was a portly man in a blood-stained apron. Tufts of blond hair sprouted from the sides of his balding head. His brown trousers were pulled up past his waist, making him resemble an evil garden gnome. In one of his hands, he held a huge butcher knife, its blade flecked with blood.


Wielding the knife, the man pointed at Ravi. “Who are you?”


Ravi licked his thick lips nervously. “The name’s Bond. James Bond.”


BUY LINKS
Mirror World Publishing: Paperback eBook
Amazon Amazon.ca KOBO Barnes & Noble


Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/YA time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, available through Mirror World Publishing, and is represented by Walden House (Books & Stuff) for her teen psychic series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, researching, or revising, she enjoys reading, exercising, anything arcane, and an occasional dram of scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, one spoiled yellow Labrador and a moody calico cat.


Learn more about Sharon Ledwith on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Smashwords. Look up her Amazon Author page for a list of current books.


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 10, 2017 22:30

January 9, 2017

Tell Again Tuesday Creating Memorable Characters

Tell Again Tuesday
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Creating Memorable Characters

by The Passionate Writer/Designer


There are many elements to consider as you write your novel but including memorable characters is perhaps the most important of all. We all remember characters that resonated with our hearts, long after closing the last page of a book. Classic characters favored and remembered by many include . . .


For the rest of the blog go to:

https://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/creating-memorable-characters/


 


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 09, 2017 22:30

January 5, 2017

Friday Features on SALE

Friday Features
A Fantasy Romance of the Black Court:
THE WINTER QUEEN’S DRAGON
By
Jessica Aspen
Regularly priced $4.99,
on sale for 99cents through January 20th, 2017

What’s a heroine to do when her dragon captor is not only her enemy’s best defense…but is also the man of her dreams?[image error]


Deep in the north of the fae world of Underhill, Siobhan has been frozen for a hundred years. Finally gaining her freedom from the ice the only thing on her mind is vengeance. Instead, she becomes the prisoner of the Winter Queen’s Dragon: Atavantador. But nothing is as it seems. To become powerful enough to get her revenge, Siobhan must make an unlikely ally—the dragon’s sexy manservant, Doyle.


Doyle is hiding more than one secret—and all of them are worth his life. To keep the queen on his side he must play the game of dragon so well that no one guesses his true secret: beneath the Winter Palace lies one of the keys to all dragon kind’s survival.


And time is running out.


Can Siobhan trust a man who is secretly her dragon captor and sworn to protect the Winter Palace? Or will she find out that ending a queen’s reign means sacrificing true love in her quest for revenge.


Dare to enter Jessica Aspen’s world of fast-paced fantasy romance Tales of the Black Court


Available at:

Ibooks              Kobo                Barnes & Noble           Amazon


Add to your Goodreads shelf


webpage: http://wp.me/P1iihY-3NN


324 pages-print book


ISBN-13: 978-1541003187


ISBN-10: 1541003187


ASIN: B01M9JTUAE


Author bio:[image error]


Jessica Aspen always wanted to be spirited away to a world inhabited by elves, were-wolves and sexy men who walk on the dark side of the knife. Luckily, she’s able to explore her fantasy side and delve into new worlds by writing spicy paranormal romance. She loves indulging in dark chocolate, reading eclectic novels, and dreaming of ocean vacations, but instead spends most of her time, writing, walking the dog, and hiking in the Colorado Rockies.


To get your free exclusive Jessica Aspen paranormal romance, Rogue Enforcer, please go to: http://eepurl.com/zs4Sj


Where to find Jessica:

Website


Goodreads


Twitter


Facebook


Pinterest


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 05, 2017 22:30

January 3, 2017

Wednesday Special Spotlight The Soul Mate Tree

Wednesday Special Spotlight
THE SOUL MATE TREE, BOOK ONE:
REALM OF THE DRAGON

AUTHOR: CiCi Cordelia


GENRE: Paranormal Romance


HEAT LEVEL: Steamy


An ancient legend spanning eras, continents, and worlds. To some, it’s nothing more than a dream. To others, a pretty fairy tale handed down through the generations.


For those in critical need of their own happy ending, a gift.




For sheltered Amy Kiers, it’s all too real. Her escape from danger, straight into the arms of her destiny.


Thrust into a realm made of legend, fantasy, and unbridled passion, Amy faces violent resentment and jealousy from extremely powerful enemies. Amidst fierce creatures whose very existence defy all common sense, Amy pieces together a past she could never have imagined.


Claimed as mate by Cord, Prince of Battle Draconian, their love will not be denied, even as malevolent forces plot to rip them apart.


Pre order link: https://www.amazon.com/Realm-Dragon-Soul-Mate-Tree-ebook/dp/B01N7GYVBT


CiCi Cordelia is the pen name for the writing team of BFFs Char Chaffin and Cheryl Yeko.

Published authors in their own right and Acquiring Editors, they share a love for well-written stories infused with their favorite romantic genres: paranormal, suspense, and erotica. Both are fans of Alpha Men and the women they’d lay down their lives for.


As a writing team they bring a solid know-how for accomplishing the foundation of what makes a great romance read: a strong story, a passionate romance, fascinating characters, and a happy-ever-after ending.

Individually they can be found here:


Cheryl Yeko:

Website ‘Where Love Always Wins’

Amazon

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Goodreads


Char Chaffin:

Website ‘Falling In Love is Only the Beginning’

Facebook

Amazon

Twitter

Goodreads


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 03, 2017 22:30

January 2, 2017

Tell Again Tuesday Imaginary People

Tell Again Tuesday
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
The Imaginary People in a Writer’s Life

Once I started brain storming this important literary topic I couldn’t stop!

This might surprise you, but there are quite a few imaginary people in a writer’s life. . .



For the rest of the blog go to:

BlondeWriteMore


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on January 02, 2017 22:30

December 29, 2016

Friday Features Vonnie Hughes Entanglement

Friday Features’
Guest talks about
Crispy Zucchini Fritters
from
Vonnie Hughes

 



3 large zucchinis

⅔ cup flour

2 eggs

1 large spring onion (escallot/shallot) sliced

1 tsp. bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

1 small can creamed sweet corn

Salt and pepper to taste

Olive or vegetable oil for frying


Grate zucchini into a bowl. Stir in salt. Set aside.


Beat eggs in another bowl.


Squeeze all moisture out of the zucchini and then add it to the eggs. Mix well.


Stir in remaining ingredients and any herbs you prefer.


Heat oil in a large frying pan. Drop in tablespoon dollops of the mixture. Fry until crisp or well browned, turning just once.


Serve warm with sour cream, yogurt and/or chutney.


How about a step into a bygone era while you enjoy your crispy fritters?

When Alexandra Tallis discovers that her witless sister has imprisoned their father’s nemesis, Theo Crombie, in their attic, she quickly frees him, fighting an unladylike impulse to keep him as her own special captive. Despite the brutal beating she receives from her father for her actions, Alexandra continues to yearn for the delicious Mr. Crombie even though she knows that nothing will ever come of her yearning.


Injured and shackled in a stranger’s attic, Theo unexpectedly discovers the woman of his dreams. But how can he pursue those dreams when her bizarre family’s complex relationships threaten the very foundation of his existence? Somehow Theo must find a way through this maze to claim his lady.


TEASER

“Oh, no, Emmaline! Please untie him. Let him go.”


Whatever would her sister do next? At seventeen she was an eligible man’s worst nightmare. And this latest escapade—


“Don’t be such a bore, Lexie. ’Tis a great joke! For once, Papa will thank us. Especially when he finds out who it is we’ve got all trussed up.” Emmaline laughed her silvery, seductive laugh that drove men wild and irritated women excessively.


“Thank us! He is more like to beat us. You cannot capture someone and bring him here and…and just tie him up.”


“Of course I can. I already have. I shall lock the two of you in here together and then raise an outcry. Papa and the servants will come running and—” she waved her pretty hands in the air “—the rest will take care of itself. Papa’s investment problem will be solved, and with a bit of luck you might even be married by next week, sister.”


BUY LINKS AmazonSmashwords



Vonnie Hughes is a multi-published author in both Regency books and contemporary suspense. She loves the intricacies of the social rules of the Regency period and the far-ranging consequences of the Napoleonic Code. And with suspense she has free rein to explore forensic matters and the strong convolutions of the human mind. Like many writers, some days she hates the whole process, but somehow she just cannot let it go.


Vonnie was born in New Zealand, but she and her husband now live happily in Australia. If you visit Hamilton Gardens in New Zealand be sure to stroll through the Japanese Garden. These is a bronze plaque engraved with a haiku describing the peacefulness of that environment. The poem was written by Vonnie.


Learn more about Vonnie Hughes on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Goodreads.


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 29, 2016 22:30

December 27, 2016

Wednesday Special Spotlight Sharon Ledwith Sugar Cookies

Wednesday Special Spotlight
Looks at
The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret
from
Sharon Ledwith

In the second book of The Last Timekeepers young adult time travel series, The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret, Treena Mui attempts to soothe the time traveling troops’ appetites by baking them a batch of sugar cookies using her family’s secret recipe. The problem is she mistakenly used salt as the main ingredient instead of sugar. It really wasn’t her fault—all the jars were marked in Dutch. Poor Jordan is still trying to wash the taste out of his mouth!


So to correct this, I thought I’d share Treena Mui’s mouth-watering sugar cookie recipe to give you a taste of what the Timekeepers missed out on their undercover mission in Amsterdam during World War II. With a prep time of 20 minutes and cook time of 8 minutes, you don’t need to be a genius or a secret agent to figure out that it takes less than a half an hour to feed your own army!


Mui’s Mouth-Watering Sugar Cookies




3 cups of all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1 cup of white sugar

1 cup butter

1 egg, lightly beaten

3 tbsp. cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)


Over a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar. Cut in butter and blend with a pastry blender until mixture resembles cornmeal. Stir in lightly beaten egg, cream, and vanilla. Blend well. Dough may be chilled, if desired.


On a floured surface, roll out dough to ⅛ inch thickness. Sprinkle with sugar; cut into desired shapes. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets.


Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until delicately brown.


While you’re waiting for those cookies to cool, take a time out and give yourself a well-deserved break. So sit back, prop up your feet, and open a book you’ve been meaning to read. Why not pick up one of The Last Timekeepers adventures, and peruse the latest mission with Treena and her time traveling cohorts?



Only a true hero can shine the light in humanity’s darkest time.


Fourteen year-old Jordan Jensen always considered himself a team player on and off the field, until the second Timekeeper mission lands him in Amsterdam during World War Two. Pulled into the world of espionage, torture, and intolerance, Jordan and the rest of the Timekeepers have no choice but to stay one step ahead of the Nazis in order to find and protect a mysterious book.


With the help of the Dutch Resistance, an eccentric baron, Nordic runes, and an ancient volume originating from Atlantis, Jordan must learn that it takes true teamwork, trust, and sacrifice to keep time safe from the evils of fascism. Can Jordan find the hero within to conquer the darkness surrounding the Timekeepers? If he doesn’t, then the terrible truth of what the Nazis did will never see the light of day.


EXCERPT

“I wonder what else is down here.” Drake beamed his cell phone across the basement, hitting jars of jams, pickles, and relishes. His stomach growled.


Jordan pulled the cheese from his pocket and handed it to Drake. “Trade you for your phone.”


“Best. Trade. Ever.” Drake passed his phone to Jordan.


Jordan walked over and grabbed a jar of pickles off the dusty shelf. At least they wouldn’t arrive at the baron’s place hungry. He hoped his uncle had managed to stop Amanda’s bleeding. His hand tightened over the jar, the ridges of the lid cutting into his palm. A scrape from behind the shelves made Jordan jump.


“Hello?” he asked, pushing jars aside. He flashed the cell phone into the small, dark area.


“Who ya talking to, Jordan?” Drake asked with his mouth full of cheese.


“Shhh, Drake.” Jordan listened. Hearing nothing, he shrugged and turned back around.


“I thought I heard—” Jordan stopped and pointed the phone at Ravi. His jaw dropped. “A-Are you serious, Sharma?”


Drake spat out his cheese, snorting with laughter.


“Is there a problem?” Ravi asked, tying the bowtie of his tuxedo.


“You look like a penguin with attitude!” Drake slapped his knee.


“Say what you want, but I’m glad we didn’t hit the cleaners on the way to school now,” Ravi replied, pulling down his sleeves, “or else I wouldn’t have these dry clothes.”


Jordan chuckled. Suddenly, he heard a door creak open, followed by heavy footsteps squeaking down the stairs. Panicking, Jordan stuffed Drake’s phone in his track suit jacket’s pocket and waved Drake over by the shelves. Drake slipped behind Jordan just in time, before the small light bulb above the bottom of the stairs clicked on. Jordan swallowed hard. There, staring directly at Ravi was a portly man in a blood-stained apron. Tufts of blond hair sprouted from the sides of his balding head. His brown trousers were pulled up past his waist, making him resemble an evil garden gnome. In one of his hands, he held a huge butcher knife, its blade flecked with blood.


Wielding the knife, the man pointed at Ravi. “Who are you?”


Ravi licked his thick lips nervously. “The name’s Bond. James Bond.”


BUY LINKS
Mirror World Publishing: Paperback eBook
Amazon Amazon.ca KOBO Barnes & Noble


Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/YA time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, available through Mirror World Publishing, and is represented by Walden House (Books & Stuff) for her teen psychic series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, researching, or revising, she enjoys reading, exercising, anything arcane, and an occasional dram of scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, one spoiled yellow Labrador and a moody calico cat.


Learn more about Sharon Ledwith on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Smashwords. Look up her Amazon Author page for a list of current books.


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 27, 2016 22:30

December 26, 2016

Tell Again Tuesday Your Character is More Interesting Than You

Tell Again Tuesday
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
When You Realize Your Character is More Interesting Than You

October 30, 2016 BlondeWriteMoreWhen Your Characters More Interesting Then You-3


This can be an awkward moment for any writer and definitely worthy of a blog post.


There are several stages connected with realising your character is more interesting than you – the writer. . . .


For the rest of the blog go to:

https://blondewritemore.com/2016/10/30/when-you-realise-your-character-is-more-interesting-than-you/


 


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 26, 2016 22:30

December 22, 2016

Friday Features Dominique Eastwick

Friday Features’
Guest talks about
Roquamole
by
Dominique Eastwick

With my latest appetizer creation. Roquamole is an invigorating, and easy, twist on taco salad. This is the perfect dip to enjoy while cheering on your favorite Super Bowl team.



ROQUAMOLE








Photo by tiramisustudio



1 cup crumbled Roquefort or St. Agur cheese

¼ cup sour cream

2 ripe avocados

2 tbsp. finely sliced scallions

¼ cup jarred sliced pickled green jalapenos

¼ tsp. paprika

1 bag blue corn tortilla chips


Crumble or mash the blue cheese with the sour cream in a bowl.


Mash in the avocados. If they are ripe, a fork should be all you need.


Roughly chop the sliced jalapenos. Stir them into the mixture along with the finely sliced scallions.


Arrange in the center of a plate or dish. Dust with paprika and surround with tortilla chips.


Dive in!


Here’s a little from Dom’s sexy paranormal romance for your reading pleasure.



The babies are coming… the Wiccan Haus will never be the same.


Things are not as calm at the Wiccan Haus as they usually are. The impending birth of Dana and Rekkus’ cubs has everyone on edge. The last thing anyone wants or expects is a series of uninvited guests.


Ashlynn Stone hasn’t spoken to her sister Dana since she left for the Wiccan Haus over a year earlier. But when a fluke accident on the fashion runway forces her to seek the healing of the Wiccan Haus, she has no choice but to pack her bags and take the ferry to the island with her family in tow.


Shadedor has been sent to the Wiccan Haus to assess the situation. But he soon finds more than he expected. His soul mate in need of healing. Can he negotiate the issues of the Wiccan Haus and overcome the walls Ashlynn has built to protect herself.


As the Haus prepares for the biggest event since it opened, can the siblings find harmony and manage to do what they do best, heal those in need? Or is it too much for them to take?


Welcome back to the Wiccan Haus.


EXCERPT

He walked. This morning, he had been right next to her, and there had been constant contact. Now they would appear to anyone passing to be complete strangers. “You want to tell me what is going on?”


“We are attempting to remove all stress from your life in hopes of easing the headaches.”


“No, with you. If you would prefer to be elsewhere, I can go back to my room and lie down.”


He stopped. “There is nowhere I would rather be.”


“Then why are you acting like I have the plague? Was it the kiss earlier?”


“I overstepped my boundaries this morning. I should not have done so.”


“Do you regret it?”


“I am assisting the staff here in your healing. It is inappropriate for me to come on to you.”


“Are you on staff here?”


“No.”


“That settles it.” She smiled. Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I do not know what is going on, but I do know my pain and fears ease when you are near. I don’t claim to understand how you discern all you do, but I am starting to see things here aren’t always black and white, and sometimes I have to have faith and trust.”


After a brief second of him standing as still as a statue and her wondering if she read too much into this morning’s embrace, he relaxed. His arms snaked around her, pulling her against his hard body. His mouth came down on hers begging her to open for him, demanding she submit to his kiss. She might have started this dance, but he would damned well be leading it.


BUY LINKS

AmazonDecadent Publishing


Award-Winning author Dominique Eastwick currently calls North Carolina home with her husband, two children, one crazy lab and one lazy cat. Dominique spent much of her early life moving from state to state as a Navy Brat. Because of that, traveling is one of her favorite pasttimes. When not writing you can find Dominique with her second love…her camera.


Learn more about Dominique Eastwick on her website, blog, and Amazon author page. Be sure to join her Newsletter for up to the minute info on new releases, contests, and more.


Stay connected on Twitter, Tublr, Tsu, and Pinterest.


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 22, 2016 22:30

December 20, 2016

Wednesday Special Spotlight Sara Daniel

Wednesday Special Spotlight
Shines On
Sara Daniel’s  Candy Cane Cookies!

My favorite holiday recipe is for Candy Cane Cookies. I love these festive cookies for their hint of almond flavor and the crushed candy canes on the top. I only make them once a year, and I double the recipe below.


I will warn you to make sure that you only use peppermint candy canes (or peppermint candies). A couple years ago, I went around our family Christmas tree, plucking off all the red and white candy canes. I crushed them into the topping, which I then sprinkled onto the cookies. Well, you can imagine my dismay when I took a bite and discovered mixed in with the refreshing mint flavor was also the not-so-refreshing taste of watermelon candy. Yes, unbeknownst to me, one (or more) of the candy canes I crushed was watermelon flavored, not mint, and I can NOT in good conscience recommend it to anyone! This year I used round peppermint candies to ensure there was no mix-up!


Candy Cane Cookies



½ cup butter, softened

½ cup shortening

1 cup powdered sugar

1 egg

1½ tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. vanilla

2 ½ cups flour

1 tsp. salt

½ – 1 tsp. red food coloring

1 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candy


Preheat oven to 375° F.


Combine butter, shortening, and powdered sugar. Mix in egg, almond extract, and vanilla. Continue mixing as you add in flour and salt.


Divide dough in half. Place in separate bowls. Blend food coloring into one bowl of dough.


Shape one tablespoon of dough from each color into a rope. Place ropes side by side on a cookie sheet. Press together lightly and twist. Curve down the top third to form a candy cane.


Bake for 8-10 minutes.


Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle cookies with crushed peppermint candy.


Wait until cookies are cool to prevent breakage when removing them from the pan.


Enjoy the tastes and smells of the season. Happy holidays!


~Sara



Sara Daniel writes what she loves to read—irresistible romance, from sweet to erotic and everything in between. She battles a serious NASCAR addiction, was once a landlord of two uninvited squirrels, and loses her car keys several times a day.


Learn more about Sara on her website and blog. Subscribe to Sara’s newsletter.


Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.


 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 20, 2016 22:30