It's

Cozy Food Friday!

That means it's time to share a recipe from 

another great cozy mystery!

This week's recipe is from

Molly MacRae

author of the

Highland Bookshop Mysteries

Book 4

Available now!

The new novel in the acclaimed Highland Bookshop mystery series finds a true-crime author murdered in the charming seacoast town of Inversgail—can the women of Yon Bonnie Books discover the killer’s identity before he or she strikes again?

True crime writer Heather Kilbride arrives in the seacoast town of Inversgail, Scotland, to research a recent murder for her new book. But if that’s true, why does she seem more interested in William Clark, a shadowy lawyer with no connection to the murder? Her nosy questions arouse the suspicions of Constable Hobbs, the members of a local writers’ group, and Janet Marsh and her crew of amateur sleuths at Yon Bonnie Books.

Heather’s unconventional research methods prove deadly when Janet discovers her lifeless body. Except the “body” turns out to be a dummy dressed-up to look like Heather. Meanwhile, Heather is sitting at a safe distance observing Janet’s reactions.

Then Heather is found dead—again—sprawled at the base of an ancient standing stone; and this time it’s for real. Clutched in her hand is a valuable miniature book last seen at Yon Bonnie Books, and now the police want to know how Heather, the miniature book, and Janet are all connected. But Janet and her group of sleuths have two questions of their own: Who else is interested in knowing that connection—and is that person a cold-blooded killer?

🍽🍽🍽🍽🍽

GINGERBREAD PANCAKES

Wonderful and warming, these pancakes have a distinctive cakelike texture.

3 cups all-purpose flour (or combination of white and whole wheat)

1 cup packed dark brown sugar (or light brown)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

½ cup water

½ cup coffee, cold or room temperature

4 large eggs

1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled 

¼ cup lemon juice

vegetable oil for brushing griddle or skillet

         Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a bowl

         Whisk together butter, brown sugar, water, coffee, eggs, and lemon juice in a large bowl

         Add flour mixture and stir until just combined

         Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat (adjust heat as needed while making the pancakes – I gradually turn my cast iron frying pan down from start to finish so the pancakes don’t burn, although slightly burned gingerbread pancakes are delicious, too)

         Make pancakes, a few at a time, using 1/4 cup of batter for each, and browning them on each side

        Either serve pancakes as they come off the griddle, or keep them warm in the oven and serve all at the same time

These are great with maple syrup but just as good with butter alone. They're also good leftover and spread with peanut butter. Next time I make them, I’m going to add orange zest. 

Mmm . . . Perfect for any winter meal!

About Heather and Homicide – book 4 in the Highland Bookshop Mysteries

If true-crime writer Heather Kilbride has arrived in Inversgail, Scotland, to research a recent murder for her new book, why does she seem more interested in a shadowy lawyer with no connection to that murder? Heather and Homicide is a story featuring unconventional research methods, miniature books, and an ancient circle of standing stones. Available in hardback, e-book, and audio from your locally-owned independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Or ask for it at your local library. 

The Boston Globe says Molly MacRae writes “murder with a dose of drollery.” She’s the bestselling, award-winning author of the Highland Bookshop Mysteries and the Haunted Yarn Shop. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine since 1990 and she’s a winner of the Sherwood Anderson Award for Short Fiction. Molly lives in Champaign, Illinois. You can visit her at www.mollymacrae.com, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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