If you ever wanted a stand alone Joanne Fluke cozy mystery novel, this would be it. Told as a flashback before all of the characters’ lives are intertwined, the reader learns about a homeless man that Hannah helps out. Included in the list of recipes is a super easy snack mix perfect for year round munching.
Book #26 in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series is a perfect novel for getting you into the Christmas spirit! Hannah helps out a man who seems to be homeless, but in actuality has lost his memory. Is he homeless or is he lost?
Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Cocktail Munchie Mix
from a cozy mystery novel
Christmas Cupcake Murder
by Joanne Fluke
Book Outline and Tone:
Christmas in Lake Eden means family, sweet treats, and a time for charity. The title of this edition is a bit of a misnomer because there is no murder. A man is attacked, but he survives. Unfortunately for him, he has amnesia. Hannah initially believes him to be a homeless man who she offers some simple tasks so she can pay him. She soon discovers that he doesn’t know who he is, where he is from, or why he is in Lake Eden. Hannah uses her investigative skills to determine who this man is.
A fun story using clues such as John Doe’s knowledge of restoring furniture and his extreme patients with a handicapped man.
When all John Doe can remember is a farm and the name “Lake”, that makes investigating extremely difficult for Hannah in Minnesota, with its motto “Land of a thousand lakes.”
The Best Quote:
“I love chocolate. My mother used to say that it was God’s gift to mankind.” [John Doe]
“Your mother was a wise woman.”
Point of View:
The novel is told in third person from Hannah’s point of view.
The Author: Joanne Fluke
Joanne Fluke published her first Hannah Swenson novel, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, in 2001. Since then she has been a New York Times bestselling author several times. She is a popular guest on her local television station and she always uploads her interview to her Youtube Channel. She even has many interviews organized by the book. Some of her books have been made into movies on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery can be found https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/. Joanne Fluke will interact with fans on her X and her Facebook accounts.
What is not to like?:
If you were hoping for a murder mystery, this novel does not have one. However, I loved the search for the real identity of John Doe. It made for a fun plot.
The verdict:
I recommend reading this one whether you have read off the preceding novels or this is the first Hannah Swensen you have picked up, you will find it a fun cozy read.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Cocktail Munchie Mix
Assemble the Ingredients
Molly’s Note:
This recipe makes a large amount of snack mix. It is perfect for company because the spice level is just right (on the mild side). I use my electric roaster to make this and it comes out perfect every time. Set your electric roaster to 250 degrees, no need to use your oven.
Hannah’s 1st Note:
You will need a large roaster to make this cocktail mix. BEFORE you preheat your oven, try your roaster in the oven to see which position the rack should be in. Try to center the roaster in the oven, if possible. This will provide even heat for your Cocktail Munchie Mix.
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F. (Not a misprint. That’s two hundred and fifty degrees.)
Spray the inside of your roaster with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray.
Place the Rice Chex cereal in the bottom of the roaster.
Melt the butter for 2 minutes on HIGH. Let it sit in the microwave for a minute and stir it with a heat-resistant spatula to make sure that it’s melted.
Easy to read measure marks on inside of cup. Dishwasher safe.
Stir in 5 drops of hot sauce.
Stir in the teaspoon of garlic salt.
Drizzle approximately one-quarter (about 1/2 cup) of the butter mixture on top of the Rice Chex.
Hannah’s 2nd Note:
This is one of the reasons I like to use a measuring cup with a spout to melt the butter.
Place the Wheat Chex cereal on top of the Rice Chex cereal.
Drizzle another half-cup of the butter mixture on top of the Wheat Chex cereal.
Place the Corn Chex cereal on top of the Wheat Chex cereal.
Drizzle another half-cup of the butter mixture on top of the Corn Chex cereal.
Place HALF the box of Cheerios cereal on top of the Corn Chex cereal.
Drizzle the remainder of the butter mixture over the top of the Cheerios cereal.
Sprinkle the bag of Goldfish crackers over the top.
DO NOT add the mixed nuts or the stick pretzels yet! They will be added later.
Wash your hands. You’re going to use them as a kitchen tool. Dry your hands and mix the contents of the roaster together with your impeccably clean fingers.
Hannah’s 3rd Note:
If you’ve worked rapidly, the cereal, butter, and Goldfish layers might be a bit too hot to mix with your fingers. If so, take a coffee break for 5 minutes or so and then try again.
Once your cereal, butter, and Goldfish layers have been mixed together, bake them at 250 degrees F. If baking in the oven, baked uncovered. If using the electric roaster, put on the lid.
Set your oven timer for 15 (fifteen) minutes.
You will bake your Cocktail Munchie Mix for a total of 1 and 1/2 (one and one-half) hours, not counting mixing times.
Hannah’s 4th Note:
Unfortunately, you can’t just walk off and leave your Cocktail Munchie Mix for one and a half hours. You do have to stir it every 15 minutes or so, but it’s worth staying home for.
I have a separate timer at home that I use when I make this. I set the regular timer on the oven for an hour and a half, and my separate timer for 15 minutes after each time I stir it.
When one hour has passed (that consists of four 15-minute segments), open the can of mixed nuts and sprinkle them over the top of your Cocktail Mix.
he contents of the roaster will be hot, so use your large mixing spoon to mix in the nuts.
Open the bag of stick pretzels and mix those in. Mix carefully so that they don’t break up into little pieces.
Hannah’s 5th Note:
When my grandmother made this recipe she always picked out the hazelnuts and Brazil nuts and set them aside. She made a note on the recipe that reads, “Do this for Uncle Harry – false teeth.”
Put the roaster back into the oven and bake at 250 degrees F. for an additional 1/2 (half) hour.
Take the roaster out of the oven, give the mixture a final stir, and let it cool.
To store: Keep in a tightly sealed bag in the kitchen cupboard for no more than a week or two.
DO NOT keep it in the refrigerator or it will get soggy.
Hannah’s 6th Note:
If you make the mistake of refrigerating these marvelous munchies, all is not lost. Simply place the mixture in a roaster and heat it in the oven, preheated to 250 degrees F. for 15 minutes.
Check the cereal to see if it has crisped up again. If it hasn’t, stir it and heat it again in 15 minute intervals until the cereal is crisp.
Yield: At least 20 cups of Cocktail Munchie Mix that everyone who tastes it will love to munch.
To Serve: Place the Cocktail Munchie Mix in a large bowl with a scoop in it. Surround the large bowl with disposable plastic bowls or cups. Invite your guests to help themselves to the yummy snack you made.
Cocktail Munchie Mix
Ingredients
- 1 box Rice Chex cereal (12 ounces net weight)
- 1 pound (4 sticks, 16 ounces) salted butter
- 5 drops hot sauce (I used Slap Ya Mama hot sauce)
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 box Wheat Chex (15 ounces net weight)
- 1 box Corn Chex (12 ounces net weight)
- ½ box original Cheerios (18 ounces net weight)
- 1 bag (8 ounces net weight) Goldfish crackers
- 1 can (15 to 20 ounces net weight) salted, mixed nuts without peanuts (I used Planters)
- 1 bag (6 to 10 ounces net weight) thin pretzel sticks (I used Snyder's)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven or electric roaster to 250 degrees F. (Not a misprint. That's two hundred and fifty degrees.)
- Spray the inside of your roaster with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the Rice Chex cereal in the bottom of the roaster.
- Melt the butter for 2 minutes on HIGH. Let it sit in the microwave for a minute and stir it with a heat-resistant spatula to make sure that it's melted.
- Stir in 5 drops of hot sauce.
- Stir in the teaspoon of garlic salt.
- Drizzle approximately one-quarter (about 1/2 cup) of the butter mixture on top of the Rice Chex.
- Place the Wheat Chex cereal on top of the Rice Chex cereal.
- Drizzle another half-cup of the butter mixture on top of the Wheat Chex cereal.
- Place the Corn Chex cereal on top of the Wheat Chex cereal.
- Drizzle another half-cup of the butter mixture on top of the Corn Chex cereal.
- Place HALF the box of Cheerios cereal on top of the Corn Chex cereal.
- Drizzle the remainder of the butter mixture over the top of the Cheerios cereal.
- Sprinkle the bag of Goldfish crackers over the top.DO NOT add the mixed nuts or the stick pretzels yet! They will be added later.
- Mix the contents of the roaster together.
- Bake at 250 degrees F. for 15 minutes.
- You will bake your Cocktail Munchie Mix for a total of 1 and 1/2 (one and one-half) hours, not counting mixing times.
- When one hour has passed (that consists of four 15-minute segments), open the can of mixed nuts and sprinkle them over the top of your Cocktail Mix.
- Open the bag of stick pretzels and mix those in. Mix carefully so that they don't break up into little pieces.Put the roaster back into the oven and bake at 250 degrees F. for an additional 1/2 (half) hour.
- To store: Keep in a tightly sealed bag in the kitchen cupboard for no more than a week or two.
What would I do differently next time?
I would not change a thing. I was worried the mix would not be zesty enough, but my whole family raved about this. I think the layered butter helps make it so delicious.
Here are some delicious cocktails to enjoy with your Cocktail Munchie Mix
Blueberry Lemonade Cocktail from Death of a Lobster Lover by Lee Hollis.
Sparkling Pear Champagne Cocktail from Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis
