Little Chocolate Cotton Candies from Cleo Coyle

These little chocolate meringue cookies are insanely easy to make with just a few ingredients. They're also bursting with chocolate flavor, and they're so light, they melt in your mouth like little cotton candies, yet they offer the added bonus of whole food protein.

There’s only one tricky technique to making this simple recipe, but I’ve included tips for getting optimum results. 

To download my recipe now as a free PDF, click here.

To read my full blog post, scroll down or click here and... 

Eat with joy! 

~ Cleo

New York Times bestselling author of...

The Coffeehouse Mysteries &

Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

If you'd like to subscribe to
Cleo's Newsletters and join her
"Coffee Club," click here.

To continue reading this post,
scroll down or click here.

Iced Gingerbread Cookie Sticks: Elegant, Edible Coffee Stirrers for Holiday Trays from Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mysteries

Here is a sophisticated take on the classic gingerbread cookie. It's an elegant idea for dessert trays, holiday parties, or that cozy evening by your roaring fireplace DVD (and, yes, we have one). I have a quick, last-minute decorating tip for your holiday tables, too, but first the recipe... 

Click for Free Recipe PDF.

To download my Gingerbread Cookie Sticks recipe now as a free PDF, click here.

To read my full blog post with step-by-step photos and an easy holiday decorating tip, scroll down, or click here or on the "Read more" link below, and...

Eat with holiday joy!

~ Cleo

How to Make Italian Sesame Cookies (Biscotti di Regina) by Cleo Coyle

Cleo Coyle has a partner in 

crime-writing—her husband.

Learn about their books

by clicking here or here.

☕ A Note from Cleo 

The name of this rustic, Italian sesame cookie is Biscotti di Regina (Queen's Cookies). They are light, sophisticated treats with nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Like coffeehouse biscotti, they are made for the glories of dunking, which is why they're a delicious breakfast treat with coffee and a unique addition to afternoon tea.

Italian families sometimes serve them before or after dinner. They can be eaten as an appetizer with cheese and wine, or added to a dessert tray with fine chocolates, coffee, and sweet liqueurs (like these). 

However you enjoy them, these versatile little cookies are fit for a queen...and I originally posted this recipe for the queens of our hearts Mother's Day!

To continue reading this post,
click here or on the
"Read more" link below...

Caramel-Dipped Hazelnut Meltaway #Christmas #Cookies from Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mysteries

Do you bake cookies for the holidays? Baking cookies is one of my longstanding joys. As a girl, I was my beloved Aunt Mary's little assistant, helping her fill gift trays (and decorated coffee cans) with Italian cookies, including Anginetti and Angel Wings, aka "Bow Tie" cookies. If you'd like those recipes, simply click the images below...

Click here for the recipe.

Click here for the recipe.

As for today's festive cookie recipe, readers may remember it from the culinary mystery series that I write with my husband. 

Caramel and hazelnut are among the most popular flavors for coffeehouse lattes, which is why we included a version of this recipe in our 14th Coffeehouse Mystery, Once Upon a Grind. To learn more about the book and the other recipes included in it, click here or on the image below. 

To continue reading this post, click here.

Star Wars Day Cookies (and Skywalker Memories) from author Cleo Coyle

A special post for Star Wars Day (aka) 

May the Fourth Be with You Day!

via Giphy

A long time ago (in a galaxy not so far away), I served as editorial director for a line of Lucasfilm children's books. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, this was a dream come true. Although I was based in New York, I visited Skywalker Ranch enough times to point out the particulars of Mr. Lucas's stunning, sprawling Victorian Main House, pictured above. (Over the fireplace you'll find the Norman Rockwell, and in that glass case Indiana Jones's leather whip.)

To say I enjoyed my work would be a galactic understatement. I was reading top secret scripts; seeing raw footage in George Lucas's own screening room; and brainstorming tie-in book ideas right there at Skywalker. Even eating in the gorgeous Ranch dining room was a trip (OMG, there's George!). I learned so much in that realm of storytelling magic. I'll never forget it.

Crispy on the outside, CHEWY on the inside.
Out of this world cookies for Star Wars Day

Now that I'm a culinary mystery writer, murder is my business and so is food, which is why I'm sharing an out of this world cookie recipe for Star Wars Day, one that's crispy on the outside and delightfully Chewy on the inside. (Yes, puns are my business, too.) 

via Giphy

Click here for the
free recipe PDF.

To download my recipe now
as a free PDF, click here. 

To see the recipe in blog post form, scroll down or click here, and...

May the Force Be with You (Always!)

~ Cleo Coyle
New York Times bestselling author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

Coffeehouse S'mores or Who Needs a Campfire? for #NationalSmoresDay by Cleo Coyle

Most sources agree that s’mores were enjoyed around campfires long before the recipe was published. Thanks to the Girl Scouts, it was finally published (circa 1927) in their handbook: Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts. 

To see two easy recipes for creating those delicious s'mores without a campfire (and discover how to make your own Marshmallow Fluff), then scroll down or click here or on the read more link below....

Caramel and Sea Salt Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies from author Cleo Coyle

With rich flavor notes of buttery caramel and mouthwatering sea salt, these mini "Silver Dollar" Chocolate Chip Cookies are little edible treasures.

Our readers may remember them from our  bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery Once Upon a Grind, a story that begins with a "fairy-tale" crime in Central Park.

To download my recipe now
as a free PDF, click here. 

To see the recipe in blog post form, scroll down or click here, and...

May you eat with chocolate chip joy!

~ Cleo Coyle
New York Times bestselling author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

      

Lime Meltaway Coolers: A Beautiful Cookie for Parties from Cleo Coyle

These Lime Meltaway cookies also known as Lime Coolers or Key Lime Coolers are delectable cookies, beautiful for party trays and they freeze wonderfully, too. 

Click here for the Free
Recipe PDF.

You can use any lime to make this tender, delicious cookie, but Key limes will give you the very best flavor. So what's the difference between Key limes and the larger limes that I see in my grocery store? Keep reading and you'll find out! 

To download this recipe now in a PDF that you can print, save, or share, click here. 

To continue reading this post, scroll down or click here or on the Read More link below. 

~ Cleo Coyle, author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

An earlier version of this recipe post was chosen as a "Top 9" of over 4,000 posts from food bloggers around the world by the editors of Foodbuzz (2011).

Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars by Cleo Coyle

Pecan pie bars are an impressive treat to display on cookie trays for parties, holidays, or any time of year, and this is the very best recipe for them. I know what you're thinking. Given the many recipes that exist out there, how could I possibly have the best one?

Cleo Coyle writes two
bestselling mystery

 series with her husband.
To learn more, click here.

To learn exactly why I believe my recipe makes the best ever version of this classic treat, scroll down or click here or on the "read more" link below.  

Click here to download this
recipe as a free PDF document.

Or you can download the printable recipe 

as a free PDF by clicking here.

And may you... 

Eat with joy! 

~ Cleo

Star Wars Day Cookies (and Skywalker Memories) from author Cleo Coyle

A special post for Star Wars Day (aka) 

May the Fourth Be with You Day!

via Giphy

A long time ago (in a galaxy not so far away), I served as editorial director for a line of Lucasfilm children's books. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, this was a dream come true. Although I was based in New York, I visited Skywalker Ranch enough times to point out the particulars of Mr. Lucas's stunning, sprawling Victorian Main House, pictured above. (Over the fireplace you'll find the Norman Rockwell, and in that glass case Indiana Jones's leather whip.)

To say I enjoyed my work would be a galactic understatement. I was reading top secret scripts; seeing raw footage in George Lucas's own screening room; and brainstorming tie-in book ideas right there at Skywalker. Even eating in the gorgeous Ranch dining room was a trip (OMG, there's George!). I learned so much in that realm of storytelling magic. I'll never forget it.

Crispy on the outside, CHEWY on the inside.
Out of this world cookies for Star Wars Day

Now that I'm a culinary mystery writer, murder is my business and so is food, which is why I'm sharing an out of this world cookie recipe for Star Wars Day, one that's crispy on the outside and delightfully Chewy on the inside. (Yes, puns are my business, too.) 

via Giphy

Click here for the
free recipe PDF.

To download my recipe now
as a free PDF, click here. 

To see the recipe in blog post form, scroll down or click here, and...

May the Force Be with You (Always!)

~ Cleo Coyle
New York Times bestselling author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

How to Make ANGINETTI - Italian Lemon Cookies by author Cleo Coyle

In my big Italian family, these light lemony cookies with a sweet glaze often made their appearance during the holidays. With colorful sprinkles added, anginetti make wonderful cookies for parties, wedding celebrations, Christmas, and Easter.

Click here for the 
free recipe PDF.

Because the dough can be formed into many traditional shapes, the cookies are fun to make with children. Even the littlest ones will be able to add the colored sprinkles. 

To download the recipe now as a free PDF, click here. To see the full blog post with large photos, scroll down or click here...

If you'd like to subscribe to
Cleo's Newsletters and join her
"Coffee Club," click here.

To continue reading this post,
scroll down or click here.

How to make ANGEL WINGS also known as ITALIAN BOW TIE COOKIES by Cleo Coyle

These festive, crunchy sweet cookies are known by many names, including Angel Wings, but I grew up calling them Italian Bow Tie Cookies. Whatever you call them, they are a heavenly treat to make and eat, and I hope you enjoy my recipe. 

Click here for the free 

PDF of this recipe.

To download the recipe now in a free PDF document, click here. Or read my full recipe post by scrolling down...

May your holidays be delicious!
~ Cleo Coyle

Bestselling author of...

The Coffeehouse Mysteries
and Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

If you'd like to subscribe to
Cleo's Newsletters and join her
"Coffee Club," click here.

To continue reading this post,
scroll down or click here.

Chocolate Fudge Pumpkin Cookies with Pumpkin Spice Glaze by Cleo Coyle

Click here for the
free recipe PDF.

Healthified! These delicious chocolate cookies may have the flavor and texture of fudge brownies, but they are lower in fat. An entire can of pureed pumpkin takes the place of shortening in the recipe, bringing iron, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, C, and E to this Halloween party.


To download the recipe, click here for the free PDF. Or read the entire post now by scrolling down or clicking here or on the read more link below, and may you eat with pumpkin spice joy! 

~ Cleo Coyle, author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: No Gluten, No Dairy, No Mixer, No Kidding from Cleo Coyle

This tasty peanut butter cookie is one you can make at midnight in your bathrobe and flip-flops with one fork, one bowl, and four simple ingredients.

Click here for the free PDF.

This is my version of a classic recipe that's been around for decades. It's also gluten-free and dairy-free, but there are a few keys to getting good results. I share them in the recipe.

To download the recipe in a free PDF, click here now.

To read my full recipe post, scroll down, click here, or on the read more link below...

And eat with peanut butter joy!

~ Cleo

New York Times bestselling author of...
The Coffeehouse Mysteries &
Haunted Bookshop Mysteries

How to Bake the $250 Chocolate Chip Cookie by Cleo Coyle

In this post, I share some of my favorite urban legends with you, including one that involves food: the legendary $250 Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. I also share some tips with you on getting the most out of any chocolate chip cookie recipe. Yes, even a notorious one. 

Click here to download
the free Recipe PDF.

If you'd like to download the recipe in a free PFD, click here. 

To read my entire post, scroll down, or click here and bake with joy! 

☕  Cleo Coyle, author of  

The Coffeehouse Mysteries

Key Lime Coolers: A Top 9 Foodbuzz Recipe from Cleo Coyle

These Lime Meltaway cookies also known as Lime Coolers or Key Lime Coolers are a delectable cookie, beautiful for party trays and they freeze wonderfully, too. 

Click here for the Free
Recipe PDF.

You can use any lime to make this cookie, but Key limes will give you the very best flavor. So what's the difference between Key limes and the larger limes that I see in my grocery store? Keep reading and you'll find out! 

To download this recipe now in a PDF that you can print, save, or share, click here. 

To continue reading this post, scroll down or click here or on the Read More link below. 

~ Cleo Coyle, author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

An earlier version of this recipe post was chosen as a "Top 9" of over 4,000 posts from food bloggers around the world by the editors of Foodbuzz (2011).

Make Your Own Refrigerator Log Peanut Butter Cookies by Cleo Coyle

When busy families have a hankering for home-baked cookies, they often reach for store-bought logs wrapped in plastic. While those pre-made logs are convenient, you can't beat the taste of fresh ingredients in homemade.

Click here for
Free Recipe PDF

So click here (to quickly download a free recipe PDF) or scroll down for my easy, homemade version of Pillsbury's refrigerator log cookies...

Baking up Biscochitos by Cleo Coyle

Biscochitos (aka bizcochitos) are tender shortbread cookies irresistibly flavored with anise and cinnamon. They were originally developed by Spanish settlers in the New Mexico Territory and are traditionally served at weddings, birthdays, and religious holidays, including Christmas, but they're also enjoyed with coffee or milk in the morning and after dinner with wine or again (you guessed it) coffee! 

Click here to download
the Free Recipe PDF.

This recipe puts my own spin on it, based on the fictional background of Clare Cosi, the amateur sleuth in our bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery series. Happy Holidays, everyone. May you... Eat with joy to the world!

~ Cleo Coyle, author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries

To download this recipe right now in a free PDF, click here.

Or read my entire blog post by scrolling down or clicking here...