Big news! Now, we have two stores. You can find all our stories at our Lavender Cottage BookShop! This has direct integration with BookFunnel.
We also have a Lavender Cottage Books & Collectibles site! This is our International store (open to everyone). It does not integrate with BookFunnel, but we can send you a copy if you like. We also have some lovely mugs, notebooks, and other merchandise you might enjoy. Stop by and take a look today!
Today's Recipe
This is from our Burrows Bay series! So good...and Kahlua is optional. Enjoy the cupcakes, and the first ebook is FREE today!
(Image courtesy of Pixabay)
Chocolate Kahlua Cupcakes
These are so good! With or without the Kahlua. You can make these anytime, but we recommend them for your next Halloween party!
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
¾ cup milk
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream together butter (or margarine) and sugar in mixing bowl.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended.
4. Add vanilla and beat until well blended.
5. Combine flour, cocoa powder and baking soda in a separate bowl.
6. Add ½ the flour mixture and stir carefully. Then add milk to the batter and stir again. Add remaining flour mixture and beat until fairly smooth...no big lumps.
7. Place cupcake liners in muffin pan and fill about halfway. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Makes 12 - 15 cupcakes.
CHOCOLATE/KAHLUA GLAZE:
¼ cup (½ stick) Butter or Margarine
½ cup Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons Boiling Water
3 Tablespoons Kahlua
In bowl, mix butter or margarine (your choice) with sugar. Cream well, then add cocoa powder. Mix until very well blended, then add hot water a tablespoon at a time and stir carefully. This should dissolve any remaining sugar crystals.
Now, whisk until well blended, then add Kahlua a tablespoon at a time.
Should have a syrup consistency, so add more water or Kahlua if necessary.
When cupcakes come out of oven, remove from pan to cool and cut out a small piece on the top (similar to removing tomato core) and/or poke holes with a toothpick. Pour syrup in small holes and center while cake is still warm. Let cool before frosting.
CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract or Kahlua
2 cups powdered sugar
On low speed, mix butter (or margarine) with cocoa powder and add water.
Add vanilla extract or Kahlua (your choice)
Mix on low speed until the mixture is well combined.
Add the powdered sugar half a cup at a time and beat with the mixer on low speed until the sugar is incorporated.
Increase speed to medium until frosting is light and fluffy.
Author Spotlight
Justin Greer's Tangleweed & Waterbloom: The Garden Night Book 1 is available at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited!
After years of travel in the wide world, Derry Melyvante has made his home near the quiet woodland village of Haverdell. Derry lives with his dog Barrow on a small island outside town and spends his days in singular pursuit of his craft and passion: Derry is a gardener, a master of woodlore and plants and green growing things, a man whose heart belongs in the trees and high hills and soft grassy meadows around sleepy Haverdell. He and Barrow have built a home and found friendship in Haverdell—a quiet, fulfilling life.
An unknown blight has taken hold in the Brightoak Tree. Derry's efforts to care for the great tree are interrupted by the appearance of a knight from the king's court with a summons for the gardener of Haverdell—a message specifically requesting Derry by name. The gardener is escorted to the capital by Caedan, Knight of Mira, where he is asked to investigate a similarly strange affliction in the holy gardens of the king. Derry performs his work, makes his recommendations for care, and thinks to return to Haverdell and the gentle calm of his chosen home.
But strange magic and stranger maladies are afoot, both in the king's court and in Haverdell. Derry and Barrow swiftly find themselves embroiled in affairs beyond their imagining, as monsters and blights and shadowy figures foment catastrophe throughout the land. Plants have begun to turn against the gardener. The king has been kidnapped. Allies have become traitors. Together, Derry, Barrow, and Caedan seek to end the mayhem and find a solution to the strange curse that has gripped the kingdom—before wild plant-monsters overrun everything and swallow the land into their greedy, leafy maw. Even if the trio is successful, they will have to contend with traitors in the king's court, magical devices now stolen by rebels, and ancient temples reawakened for unknown purposes...
Lavender CottageCore
The roses are starting to bloom! We've had a cool, wet spring this year...which means everything is blooming a little later than usual, but they're really lush.
I was going to take photos, but I think I'll wait another day or two. I want to get the flowers at their best! So today, we'll post some older photos from the early days of the gardens. We'll still be renovating some areas after the storm, but this will give you an idea how we started. We also have a close-up of the horses through the arbor and the fairy castle.
Once Upon A Rose - Chapter 8
Finally, we want to include a chapter for everyone to read at the end of each newsletter. Here's the next part of Once Upon A Rose, the first story in our Enchanted Fairytale Series. Action, adventure, romance…and maybe a little magic. (If you missed the first seven chapters, we have a link at the bottom of the story.)
As Celsiana dressed for dinner, she decided that asking her father directly would probably not work. Instead, she planned to steer the conversation to the southern ports and see what she could find out.
As the servants brought in the main course, Celsiana looked over at the two princesses and smiled. “I’m so envious of you both. You’ve been able to travel here to see us, while I’ve never been to any of the other kingdoms.”
Arabella glanced over at Seraline and nodded, slightly. “It is a beautiful area and I’m sure you’ll be seeing it sooner than you think.”
“I’m especially interested in the sea with all those lovely shores and the ports…” Celsiana stopped as Arabella’s words sunk in. Hoping she meant visiting during the wedding, she continued. “How wonderful to have access to so many exotic foods and wares.”
Arabella nodded. “And there are so many eligible young men, but none as fine as your brothers.” She winked at Seraline. “And we must have you come to visit us after the engagement party.”
Celsiana smiled and glanced over at her parents. They didn’t seem to notice anything, so she continued. “That would be lovely.” She glanced down at her dress. “I’d love to go shop for fabrics and get some new dresses made before the wedding.”
“Oh, there are so many choices!” Seraline piped up, dark curls bouncing. Celsiana realized she’d finally found a subject that interested this princess. “My father has connections with all the best silk traders and the diamond merchants across the southern sea. Not to mention the sapphires…” She stopped and smiled. “Arabella plans to have sapphires made into two half rings to completely surround her diamond engagement ring.”
“Oh, how unusual,” Celsiana said, trying to seem more interested than she was. “And what would you like, Seraline?”
“I love emeralds,” Seraline replied, smiling brightly. “I have these absolutely amazing emerald earrings I brought to wear at the engagement party.”
Emeralds made Celsiana think about Nicholas and those green eyes. Forcing herself to stay on topic, she turned to Arabella. “It must be nice to have access to so many beautiful things.”
“It is,” Arabella said, but without the animation Seraline had exhibited. “Very nice indeed.” Celsiana felt a tiny shiver across her skin. Arabella had a coldness in her eyes she had not noticed before. And then, it was gone. Brushing her long blonde hair over her shoulder, Arabella smiled, adding, “My father promised me anything I want for an engagement present. I plan to make the most of it.”
“The shops are one of the things I will miss,” Seraline said, looking over at Trevor with a fondness that surprised Celsiana. Maybe this princess really did love her brother. “Although, being the second son means we can spend more time in both kingdoms. My father will be very happy about that.”
Celsiana nodded. “It would be difficult to leave your home and all that is familiar.”
“Which is why having Arabella here has been so much fun,” Seraline said, smiling at her friend. “We’ve known each other for years.” Then she reached across and took Celsiana’s hand. “And you will be the little sister I never had.” Seraline laughed. “I will take you shopping myself, when you come to visit.”
Celsiana smiled and glanced over at Arabella, who seemed a bit bored by their conversation. “I’m glad you came to the castle,” she said, smiling at Seraline, then glanced back at Arabella, adding, “Both of you.”
“It’s late,” Arabella said, standing up, “and I have many things to do tomorrow. Come on, Seraline, we need to write letters home. You wanted to ask about the orchids and I need to tell my father about plans…for the engagement.”
The way she paused made Celsiana wonder if Arabella was thinking about something else. But what else could it be? All they ever talked about was the party. It was probably something about the live doves.
Glancing over at her parents, Celsiana realized she probably had her answer. It was the diamond merchants that would interest her father the most. It was his preferred means of currency, when trading with other kingdoms. Having a cheaper way to access them meant the entire kingdom would benefit.
This might be why the guilds were trying to maintain control. They received a percentage of every good their members sold. Celsiana decided to find out more about this the next day. It was time to visit the village and get some help from her friends.
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