Giveaway – The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook, edited by Kate White

Congratulations to the winners of the last contests. Nancy S. of Whittier, NC won Paige Shelton’s If Catfish Had Nine Lives. Carolyn Hart’s Ghost Wanted goes to Rita R. from Searcy, AR. And, Lisa G. from Pensacola, FL won Daughter of the Regiment.

As promised, I’m giving away two copies of The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook, edited by Kate White. But, before I give you the contest details, I’m going to tempt you with a recipe. This is James Patterson’s recipe for Grandma’s Killer Chocolate Cake, reprinted with permission.

JAMES PATTERSON
Grandma’s Killer Chocolate Cake
Here’s one “killer” Alex Cross always loves to catch—Grandma’s Killer Cake! A special family recipe dating from the 1940s, this decadent cake seems to get better with age; it is tastier on day two. And you need to be a good detective around the house after it has been made, sitting there in its glass-domed cake stand, staring back at you with deadly temptation, because a piece seems to mysteriously disappear every time I go into the kitchen. Not to be caught red-handed, so looms the “Killer Cake Killer”!
YIELD: 1 SINGLE- LAYER 9-BY-12 INCH CAKE OR 1 DOUBLE LAYER 9-INCH CAKE
CAKE
2⁄3 cup butter

2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs

2 cups flour

11⁄3 cups buttermilk
11⁄3 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 2 ⁄ 5 cup hot water
31⁄2 squares bitter chocolate, melted gently
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FROSTING
1⁄2 cup butter

3 squares bitter chocolate
2 cups granulated sugar
2⁄3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs. 

  2. Blend in flour and buttermilk in alternating additions, starting and ending with the flour. Add baking soda mixture, followed by chocolate and vanilla extract. 

  3. Pour batter into one 9-by-12-inch pan or two round 9-inch springform pans. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool. 

  4. Combine all frosting ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a full boil, and boil for 2 minutes. Let cool. You can put saucepan on ice if necessary to cool quickly. 

  5. Remove the cake from the pan, frost, and serve. 

James Patterson has sold 300 million books worldwide, including the Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club, Maximum Ride, and Middle School series. He supports getting kids reading through scholarship, Book Bucks programs, book donations, and his website, readkiddoread.com. He lives in Palm Beach with his wife, Sue, and his son, Jack.


Excerpted from The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook edited by Kate White. Reprinted with permission from Quirk Books.


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Maybe this recipe tempted you. Maybe just the book itself. But, you might win one of two copies. Email me at Lesa.Holstine@gmail.com. Your subject heading should read “Win The MWA Cookbook.” Please include your name and mailing address. The giveaway will end Thursday, April 9 at 6 PM CT. Entries from the U.S. only, please.

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