Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #23

Casey HerringshawUncategorized 138 Comments

spring2016scavengerHunt

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to go back and start at Stop #1 and collect the clues through all 33 stops in order so you can enter to win one of our top 3 Grand Prizes!

 

  • The hunt BEGINS with Stop #1 at Lisa Bergren’s site.
  • The hunt is BEST VIEWED using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).
  • It is open to INTERNATIONAL entrants.
  • PRIZES include: 3 sets of all 32 books, $500 in Amazon gift cards, and many authors are offering additional prizes!
  • There is NO RUSH to complete this hunt—you have ALL WEEKEND. So take your time reading the unique posts along the way. Our hope is that you discover new authors/new books you might want to learn more about!
  • Submit your ENTRY for the GRAND PRIZE at Stop #33 (back on Lisa’s site) by Monday night (4/25) at midnight MST.

 

Beth here: I am excited to introduce to you author Hillary Manton Lodge. Hillary has written a delightful and foody-fun series of books with Waterbrook Multnomah culminating with this third and final book, Together at the Table. Isn’t the cover lovely? I want to sit down and be part of whatever delicious meal and fun conversation is coming next. Hillary has put together a fun blog post for us with a special recipe that’s the the perfect treat for this coming-into-summer season. I just might be breaking out my cake pans when the Scavenger Hunt party is over because my husband loves carrot cake! Gluten free for me, of course. 😉 

 

About the book: 

Three months ago, Juliette D’Alisa’s world changed.26067460

In a bittersweet series of events, her mother’s health took a turn for the worse. Juliette and her brother opened their restaurant together to rave reviews, but her romance with Memphis immunologist Neil McLaren ended in anger and tears.

As autumn sweeps into the Pacific Northwest, Juliette feels that she’s finally on the cusp of equilibrium. The restaurant continues to thrive, and her family is closer than ever. She and sous-chef Adrien are seeing each other, both in and out of the kitchen. Just when she thinks her world might stop spinning, a trip to the waterfront lands a familiar face into her path.

Rather than dwell on her personal life, Juliette throws herself into work and research. After reading her grandmother’s letters from war-torn Paris, she still wants to know the full story –  and she’ll travel across countries and oceans to find it.

But even Juliette can’t outrun the man who stole her heart. As she finally uncovers the truth about her family history, what will it mean for her own chances at lasting love?

IMG_20160404_083621Let’s enjoy a slice of Hillary’s special cake now, shall we? 

With spring upon us, I’ve wanted to post a carrot cake recipe for some time. Life got in the way, as it does, but I was excited to get my hands onto this project when the time came.

Reader, it was bad. The first batch stuck to the pans, creating a mess of crumbs that, well, I’m still nibbling on. The oven – despite the dial thinking it was the right temperature – was super hot, the cakes baking in a third of the time. Oh, and I was playing with a different frosting, and it split badly.

So I went out to the grocery store, bought more pineapple and oil, and set to work again. This time I lined the tins, which worked like a dream. I set the oven a hundred degrees lower, but you know what? It was still crazy hot. I have an oven thermometer coming to me, but I’ve used ovens long enough to know what 350 is supposed to feel like, and it wasn’t that.

I experimented with turning the oven off and on, cracking the door open – well, let’s just say that your cakes will likely rise better than mine. But, even dense, they are delicious! Sweet and tangy from the pineapple, topped with a cream cheese frosting made richer with sour cream..

For the Cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour                                            4 eggs

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour                                 ¾ cup white sugar

2 tsps cinnamon                                                    ½ cup dark brown sugar

½ tsp nutmeg                                                         1 cup canola oil

¾ tsp ground ginger                                                3 cups carrots, peeled and grated

1 tsp sea salt                                                          8 oz fresh pineapple

2 tsps baking powder                                               ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut, toasted

1 ½ tsps baking so                                                  ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted

For the frosting:IMG_20160404_083943

½ cup butter, at room temperature

12 oz cream cheese, at room temperature

8 oz sour cream, at room temperature

¾ powdered sugar, 1 cup if you like things sweeter.

1 tsp vanilla or vanilla bean paste

  1. Line three 9-inch cake tins with parchment paper. The easiest way to do this is to trace the bottom of the cake tin with pencil onto the paper, cut one, and use that one as a template for the next two. Butter and flour the paper, tapping out the excess flour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  1. Sift the flours, spices, salt, and rising agents together in a medium-sized bowl.
  1. In a stand mixer, beat the eggs together until they’re pale and frothy. Add the sugar, and beat for another two minutes. With the mixer running, add the canola oil, followed by the carrots and pineapple.
  1. Divide the batter into the three cake tins. If you’re interested in being exact, weigh the cake tins with a kitchen scale and adjust the amounts until they’re equal (this is easier to do with grams than in ounces). Bake the cakes for 35-40 minutes, or until browned and the sides are pulling away.
  1. IMG_20160404_084733While the cake bakes, you can make the frosting. Beat the butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and vanilla together. With the mixer on slow, add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and yummy.
  1. Allow to cool on wire racks until the cakes are completely cool to touch. Once cooled, invert each cake onto a separate plate.
  1. To frost, place the first layer bottom-side-up onto your serving plate or cake plate. Spoon a generous amount of frosting onto the first layer, and spread it evenly. Repeat with the second layer, placing a thicker layer of frosting onto the topmost layer.
  1. Sprinkle the toasted coconut and pecans over the top. I chose stripes, but you’re welcome to use whatever design you enjoy! Enjoy with friends – this cake makes about 8 servings.

Fun tip: If you’re like me and you really love toasted coconut, sprinkle extra coconut on top, after frosting each layer.

IMG_4972 - black frame bwHillary Manton Lodge is the author of Together at the Table, Reservations for Two, A Table by the Window, an INSPY Award Finalist, Plain Jayne, a Carol Award Finalist, and Simply Sara, an ECPA Bestselling book. Her next novel, Jane of Austin, will release in 2017 from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers.

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the Stop # 23 Skinny:

You can order Hillary’s book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD or at your local bookstore!

Clue to Write Down: Meaning

Link to Stop #24, the Next Stop on the Loop: Hillary Manton Lodge’s own site! 

BEFORE YOU GO…

I AM OFFERING A SPECIAL PRIZE JUST FOR STOPPING BY MY BLOG DURING THE HUNT!

You Can't Hurry Love - Beth Vogt

Enter the special giveaway to win one of FIVE copies of my upcoming novella, You Can’t Hurry Love by CLICKING HERE.
And then leave a comment! I’d love to hear what your favorite summer dessert is, since we’re in the sweet mood frame of mind thanks to Hillary. 🙂

Comments 138

  2. Pingback: Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Basics | Lisa Tawn Bergren

  6. I enjoy cookouts with all the fixings in the summer. That’s not just one dish but it’s what I like. 🙂

    Reply

  9. Oh my, that looks really good! I’m personally just a big fan of chocolate chip cookies. Any time, any where!

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  13. mY favorite summer treat is chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream! Also my Mama’s homemade chocolate pie!

    Reply

  14. I think I’d have to say creme brulee! That stuff is amazing.

    I really want to read some of your books now. It’s awesome that you’re down in the Springs! I live in Highlands Ranch, about to move to Castle Rock. 🙂

    Reply

  17. I love doing the scavenger hunt to “meet” new authors and read up on ones I already follow! My favorite summer dessert is strawberries and shortcake, though my husband prefers angel food cake 🙂 All time favorite is carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. I’ll be keeping this cake recipe mentioned on hand though! Sounds YUMMY!

    Reply

  20. My favorite summer dessert would be ice cream plain or a banana split or hot fudge sundae. I don’t do any baking in the summer.

    Reply

  26. My favorite summer desert is strawberry shortcake with LOTS of cool whip 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway chance and participation in the hunt

    Reply

  38. We have a special summer dessert we make in an ice cream freezer. It tastes just like Wendy’s Frosty (maybe even a little better!).

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  39. I can’t wait to read your new book! I am now incredibly hungry. That cake looks amazing. My favorite desert is cheesecake!

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  44. Honestly, my favourite summer dessert is sweet, chilled watermelon. Thanks so much for participating in this scavenger hunt. What fun!

    Reply

  48. Costco cheesecake with homemade huckleberry ‘sauce’. Thank you for hosting a stop on this great scavenger hunt!

    Reply

  55. I can’t wait to read Together at the Table. I absolutely loved Reservations for Two and must know what happens next!!!

    My favorite summer dessert has to be either ice cream or gelato. 🙂

    Reply

  60. One of my favorite dessert for summer is pink cloud its made with strawberry jello, cool whip, crushed pineapples, and cottage cheese it sounds weird but its AMAZING!!

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  63. My favorite summer treat is ice cream! I like a lot of flavors, but my favorite it Moose Tracks…yummy!
    I would love to win you book! Thanks for taking part in the hunt!

    Reply

  65. My favorite summer dessert is homemade peach cobbler, or is it banana pudding, or maybe fresh peach ice cream? I can’t decide lol. As you can see, I have a horrible sweet tooth. Oh, and let’s not forget ice, cold watermelon!

    Reply

  70. I realized I haven’t chimed in with my answer: My all-time favorite dessert is creme brûlée (from Whole Foods) — but in the summer I love fresh watermelon or nectarines. 🙂

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  77. My favorite summer dessert is watermelon. I don’t know if it qualifies as a dessert but that’s when I generally eat it. Or for lunch. Or a snack. Or pretty much anytime is a good time for watermelon!

    Reply

  80. Since I live in Central CA, summer is a treat full of fruit here. My favorite is ice cold watermelon. Nothing better, and it brings back memories of being with my grandparents are my grandpa cut a melon and passed around slices and the kids all spit the seeds at one another. Great times!

    Reply

  82. I live in Arkansas, and my favorite dessert would be difficult to say. One, I love fresh fruit and cantaloupe, strawberries and watermelon are my favorites. But then again, I love a home made strawberry pie, white chocolate with strawberries pie. It was one of the things my mother always made for her mother on her birthday, which was around Mother’s Day, so we always have to have that then. Hoping to win the newest book, but again, will download one of your books soon. If you have a preference as to which one I should start with, please be sure to let me know. God bless and have a great Lord’s day!

    Reply

  85. Your carrot cake recipe looks and sounds delicious. I may have to try it this summer. My favorite summer time dessert is gelato and ice- cream. We go to a local dairy farm where they make them fresh every day!

    Reply

  86. I enjoy a good dessert and picking just one is hard! So I’ll name a few….eclair cake, daffodil cake, smores, fruit pizza and gelato!

    Reply

  91. Awesome dessert/baking story! luvd it and the transparency 😉
    Summer dessert for me brings to mind the mandarin pineapple coconut salad – which I eat as dessert 😉
    Anything rhubarb !! including tea I’m so pleased to have discovered <3
    and…. peach cobbler! peach platz! peach pie !! can't wait…
    Thanks for the FuN, Beth!

    Reply

  95. That carrot cake looks so delicious! My favorite summer dessert is icebox pies, specifically banana cream! So easy and quick to come together and unusually have a helper or two as well ?

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  97. Hmmmm…. My favorite summer dessert is homemade ice cream! Thanks for participating in the hunt, and for the bonus giveaway. I am a new subscriber.

    Reply

  101. I have to CONFESS and ADMIT that my FAVORITE summer dessert and treat is RITAS ITALIAN ICE !!! I LOVE the coffee, Strawberry and banana flavors the best !!

    Reply

  102. I CONFESS and ADMIT that my favorite Summer dessert and treat is RITAS ITALIAN ICE !! I LOVE the coffee, Strawberry and the banana!!

    Reply

  103. My favorite summer dessert would be strawberry shortcake, even though it doesn’t have any chocolate in it!

    Reply

  104. Honestly, I really don’t like to cook/bake/make food, so my favorite summer recipe is anything someone else makes. =) [My poor husband…] However, if I could pick what I’d like my friends to make, it would be homemade ice cream!

    Reply

  107. Apple Pie is my favorite dessert any time of year! I’m definitely pinning Hilary’s cake on my pinterest board. It looks yummy.

    Reply

  115. This is a tough question…and I can’t pick just one.I love watermelon,fresh strawberries with whipped cream on top,blackberry dumplins and homemade ice cream.

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  117. Thanks for participating in the hunt! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading several of your books, especially Can’t Buy Me Love. Fantastic! Now, I’m really looking forward to reading this one. I just wish you were able to write faster! 🙂 My favorite summertime dessert is probably Frozen Lemonade Pie. It tastes great and is incredibly easy to make…as long as you don’t dump it upside down in the driveway on your way to a cookout. 🙂

    Reply

  119. Thank you for being part of the scavenger hunt! My favorite summer dessert is ice cream or fresh fruit…or ice cream AND fresh fruit!

    Reply

  123. My favorite summer dessert would have to be my daddy’s homemade Lemon Slice ice cream. Unfortunately, he is no longer around to make it, but I have the recipe and have made it a couple of times.
    Thank you for being part of this scavenger hunt.

    Reply

  124. Oh my! I love all desserts. I guess for summer would be ice cream with all the fun toppings. I’ll eat ice cream every day if I could. I am so interested in this book because I am a Memphian born and raised!

    Reply

  125. The cake looks delicious. Too bad for me, doctor says to cut down on sweets and carbs. I do have a favorite summertime dessert and it’s fresh strawberry pie with fresh whipped cream.

    Reply

  127. I think my favorite summertime dessert is ice cream. I live in Alaska, and it gets so cold that eating ice cream in the winter is out of the question!

    Reply

  132. Hello! Looks like I have already subscribed. I love Cool and Easy pie. It is basically jello and coolwhip in a graham cracker crust. It is so cool, light and fluffy and therefore perfect for summer. 🙂 Thank you for doing this scavenger hunt! God bless!

    Reply

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