Make these Kool-Aid cookies and candy in any flavor Kool-Aid you can find! Hannah sheds no tears for the murder victim in this novel. She does want to find the murderer so she can clear several friends.
This is book #13 in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. Hannah’s past comes back to haunt her in the form of a former college professor. Her relief at his not recognizing her soon fades when she realizes he is still up to his cruel ways of manipulating young co-eds and he has Hannah’s sister in his sights.
Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
Find the deluxe, newly-released collector’s edition if Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder on Amazon. The description says “Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Joanne Fluke’s bestselling culinary capers, a deluxe collectors’ edition featuring sprayed edges with stenciled artwork, designed endpapers, reversible dust jacket, foil stamped cloth binding, and a brand new recipe!”
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder: Deluxe Collector’s Edition by Joanne Fluke
Watermelon Kool-Aid Cookies
from a cozy mystery novel:
Apple Turnover Murder
by Joanne Fluke
Book Outline and Tone:
We all have regrets, I know I do. Hannah comes face to face with one of her regrets in this novel. When Hannah was an impressionable college co-ed, one of her professors took advantage of his position and lured Hannah in. Of course Hannah is not at fault, she was a victim, but she is embarrassed and feels relief when it appears he does not remember her. When later he is found dead, Hannah is not upset, but she is determined to solve the mystery.
As with all Hannah Swensen Mysteries, the plot of the murder is not the only plot. Sometimes the subplots are even more entertaining than the murder. I think that is the case with this entry. I found myself much more interested in people involved in the charity talent show. There are enough new characters that the who-done-it elements are not obvious. Author Joanne Fluke keeps the story lively and makes it hard to put the book down.
Point of View:
The book is written from a third person point of view told through Hannah’s experience and includes her thoughts.
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. 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 online with Hallmark Movies. Joanne Fluke is active on Facebook and Twitter. She does many interviews with her local news station and posts them on her Youtube channel.
What is not to like?:
Whenever I pick up a Hannah Swensen Mystery novel, I know what I am going to get. A delightful cozy mystery where the murdered victim seems to be getting his just desserts and Hannah bakes up delicious desserts that are fun to try.
The verdict:
This is another enjoyable installment. I highly recommend this series and absolutely recommend the cookies!
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).
Watermelon Kool-Aid Cookies
and
Watermelon Fizzy Candy Assemble the Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F., rack in the middle position.
Hannah’s 1st Note: When Brandi makes these cookies, she rolls them out on a floured board and uses cookie cutters. Rolled cookies take more time than other types of cookies, so Lisa and I modified Brandi’s recipe for use at The Cookie Jar.
In a stand mixer, mix the watermelon Kool-Aid with the granulated sugar. Add the softened butter and mix until it’s nice and fluffy.
It is worth it to get the larger stand mixer. This is big enough to handle any recipe and most recipes when doubled!
Add the eggs and mix well.
Mix in the salt and the baking soda. Make sure they’re well incorporated.
Add the flour in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.
Good Grips, no slip when mixing. Each bowl has a spout for easy pouring. Dishwasher safe.
Use a silicone baking mat or spray cookie sheets with Pam or another non-stick cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper if you prefer.
Roll dough balls one inch in diameter with your hands. (We use a 2-teaspoon cookie scooper at The Cookie Jar.)
Mix some crushed candy into the 1/2 cup of sugar.
Roll the cookie balls in the bowl of white sugar and place them on the cookie sheet. The recipe says you can fit 12 to a standard-size sheet, but I found the cookies spread, so 2 rows of 4 cookies each was better for me.
Bake the Watermelon Cookies at 325 degrees F. for 10 to 12 minutes (mine took 11 minutes) or until they’re just beginning to turn golden around the edges. Don’t overbake.
Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets for no more than a minute, and then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Yield: Approximately 6 dozen pretty and unusual cookies that kids will adore, especially if you tell them that they’re made with Kool-Aid.
Hannah’s 2nd Note: Brandi’s mother baked these cookies to send to school on birthdays. She used a number cookie cutter that matched Brandi’s or her sister’s age that year.
To make the Fizzy Candy see my post HERE for Grape Fizz Candy and Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay
Watermelon Kool-Aid Cookies with Watermelon Fizzy Candy
Ingredients
- 1 package (.16-ounce) watermelon (or any other flavor) Kool-Aid powder (Don't get the kind with sugar or sugar substitute added.)
Of course you can use any flavor Kool-Aid.
- 1⅔ cups white (granulated) sugar
- 1¼ cups softened butter (2 and 1/2 sticks, 10 ounces)
- 2 large eggs, beaten (just whip them up in a glass with a fork)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
- ½ cup sugar for rolling dough balls before baking
- ½ cup crushed fizzy candy (optional_
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F., rack in the middle position.
- Mix the watermelon Kool-Aid with the granulated sugar.
- Add the softened butter and mix until it's nice and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and mix well.
- Mix in the salt and the baking soda. Make sure they're well incorporated.
- Add the flour in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.
- Use a silicone baking mat or spray cookie sheets with Pam or another non-stick cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper if you prefer.
- Roll dough balls one inch in diameter with your hands. (We use a 2-teaspoon cookie scooper at The Cookie Jar.)
- Roll the cookie balls in the bowl of white sugar and crushed candy.
- place them on the cookie sheet, 12 to a standard-size sheet. [Molly says the cookies spread too much, only bake 8 cookies at a time]
- Bake the Watermelon Cookies at 325 degrees F. for 10 to 12 minutes (mine took 11 minutes) or until they're just beginning to turn golden around the edges. Don't overbake.
- Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets for no more than a minute, and then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Yield: Approximately 6 dozen pretty and unusual cookies that kids will adore, especially if you tell them that they're made with Kool-Aid.
Fizz Candy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 Tbsp light corn syrup
- 2½ Tbsp water
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1 packet Kool-Aid, any flavor, unsweetened
- 1½ tsp powdered citric acid
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or a sheet of foil.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with the corn syrup, and 2 ½ tablespoons water.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Cook the syrup, without stirring, until the thermometer reads 300°, this will take 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda, Kool-Aid, and citric acid all at once.
- Stir to incorporate the powder into the sugar.
- Pour the syrup onto the prepared baking sheet then let stand to cool completely. The candy will not spread, so use a silicone spatula to spread it as thin or thick as you like.
- Smash the candy into bite-size pieces, and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
What would I do differently next time?
These cookies are fabulous! I plan to make them again for Independence day. I will make Blue Raspberry Fizzy Candy and Cherry Kool-Aid Cookies. That should be perfect for the holiday!
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