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I come from a family of bakers. My mother always overdid it—and we all loved everything she made—especially during the holidays.
I became a baker because of my mom. It wasn’t because she taught me all the ins and outs of great holiday treats, but because I loved how much everyone enjoyed her desserts. Watching someone’s reaction—sheer joy—to a bite of her Chocolate Charlotte Russe cake or her Walnut Spice Kisses cookies filled me with a desire to do what she did.
I’m still not quite the baker my mom was, but I’m getting better every year!
Chocolate Charlotte Russe cake
(It’s an easy to make but impressive-looking cake)
Ingredients:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 tbs cold water
3 1-oz squares of unsweetened chocolate
½ cup water
4 eggs, separated
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Dash of salt
½ tsp cream of tartar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 cup of whipping cream, whipped
½ cup chopped walnuts
3 dozen lady finger cookies
Method:
Soften gelatin in 2 tbs of cold water. Melt chocolate in ½ cup water over low heat. Remove from heat and add gelatin.
Beat eggs yolks until thick and lemon colored. Gradually beat in ½ cup sugar. Add vanilla, salt. Gradually stir in chocolate mix. Cool; then stir until smooth.
Beat egg whites with cream of tartar to soft peaks. Add ¼ cup sugar. Fold in chocolate mixture. Then fold in whipped cream and nuts.
Line 8-inch springform pan with lady fingers (like little standing toy soldiers)—you will have some left over after doing this. Fill with half chocolate mix. Add left over lady finger cookies to make a layer. Top with chocolate mix. Chill for 8 hours or overnight.
Walnut Spice Kisses cookie
Ingredients:
1 egg white
2 dashes of salt
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp of ground clove
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
Method:
Beat egg white with salt until stiff. Gradually beat in sugar mixed with spices. Fold in chopped walnuts. Drop by tsp onto well-greased (use non-stick baking spray or butter) sheet pan.
Bake at 250F for 35-40 minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies.
This recipe was brought to you by Susanna Eastman
I was a public relations writer before I turned to romantic fiction. While I enjoyed working in the corporate world, it was more fun to write about the sexy characters in my head.
I was fortunate to meet my personal romance hero during college. We met at a fraternity party my freshman year at school and became fast friends. One night I was eating dinner at his fraternity, and my future husband suavely sat on an empty table beside me to chat. Unfortunately, that table was missing a leg and it collapsed on my arm. When he called the next day to check on me, I had to tell him my arm was broken. (It was!) Devastated but still gallant, he asked me out on a date. We’ve now been married more than a few decades and have two teenage sons.
Someone Like Him for Christmas by Susanna Eastman
A super sweet and steamy holiday read
It’s FREE for you this Christmas: https://BookHip.com/SQZSFMC
For Carolyn Hardy, Christmas has always highlighted what’s missing in her life—family, romance, and the courage to want more. Brilliant with numbers but unsure with people, she’s built a quiet, carefully contained life. When loneliness nudges her to admit she longs for intimacy, one unexpected choice leads her to Fantasy, a discreet club where everything is meant to stay uncomplicated. Martin Fuller is convinced relationships aren’t for him, even as the carefully arranged encounters at Fantasy begin to lose their spark. What he wants is passion—something real enough to feel. When he meets Carolyn, her sincerity and warmth awaken feelings neither of them expected. Fantasy has clear boundaries, and as their connection deepens beyond a single night, both must decide whether stepping past those lines is worth the risk of wanting more.