Criminal Crumbs

by Jessica Beck

  •3/4 cup granulated sugar

  •1/8 teaspoon table salt

  •5 to 6 cups flour, all purpose

  •2 teaspoons cinnamon

  •1 teaspoon nutmeg

  •Active dry yeast, 1 packet (1/4 ounce)

  •1/2 cup water, warm but not hot

  •1/2 cup butter (margarine can be substituted)

  •2 eggs, lightly beaten

  •8 cups oil for frying; canola or peanut are my favorite

  Directions

  First, scald the milk (see directions in any good cookbook), then stir in the sugar and salt until everything is dissolved. Let this mixture cool, and in the meantime, in another bowl, add 3 cups of the flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg together, holding the rest for later, including 1/2 cup of flour back for flouring the cutting surface when the donut rounds are cut out. When the liquid is cool to the touch, add the mixed dry ingredients slowly, stirring to make sure there aren’t any clumps. In yet another bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water, not hot, then stir in the milk-and-flour mixture, and finally, the melted butter or margarine and the beaten eggs. Add the remaining flour to the mix slowly, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is firm to the touch and bounces back slightly when touched. Spray another bowl with cooking spray, add the ball of dough, and cover for 30 minutes to allow it to rise. Then turn the dough out onto a floured surface, using the flour you reserved earlier, and roll it out until it’s anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut out your donut shapes, put them on floured baking sheets, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes. While the dough is resting for the second time, heat the oil until it reaches 375 degrees F. Carefully add the rounds and holes to the oil, a few at a time, turning after 2 minutes on each side to cook thoroughly. Remove, drain on a cooling rack, and then glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

  This recipe serves 4 to 6 people, depending on the size of your donuts.

  SUZANNE’S FAVORITE SMALL APPLE FRITTER BITES

  Given the way Suzanne and Grace share fritters at the beginning of the book, how can we not offer these here? They are delightful little morsels, whether they are coated with icing, powdered sugar, or the topping of your choice. I like them best when they’re warm, since I rarely get the chance to eat them cool. That’s how fast they fly out of my kitchen!

  Ingredients

  •1 cup all-purpose flour

  •1/3 cup granulated sugar

  •1 tablespoon baking powder

  •1 tablespoon cinnamon

  •1/4 teaspoon salt

  •1/3 cup milk (2% or whole)

  •1 egg, beaten

  •2/3 cup chopped apple (something tart, like Granny Smith)

  •8 cups oil for cooking (we like canola or peanut)

  Directions

  While your oil is heating in a large pot to 375 degrees F, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Sift this mixture into another bowl, and then stir in the milk and beaten egg. When you have a nice batter consistency, coat the apple pieces lightly with flour, and then fold them into the batter. Using two teaspoons, scoop up the batter and push it into the oil with the second teaspoon, being careful not to splash the oil. After 2 minutes, flip the small fritter bites and allow them to cook on the other side for an additional 2 minutes. Take them out when they’re done, and coat them with powdered sugar, icing, or even apple butter if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.

  Serves 2 to 4 people

  If you enjoy Jessica Beck Mysteries and you would like to be notified when the next book is being released, please send your email address to newreleases@jessicabeckmysteries.net. Your email address will not be shared, sold, bartered, traded, broadcast, or disclosed in any way. There will be no spam from us, just a friendly reminder when the latest book is being released.

  Also, be sure to visit our website at jessicabeckmysteries.net for valuable information about Jessica’s books.

  Other Books by Jessica Beck

  The Donut Mysteries

  Glazed Murder

  Fatally Frosted

  Sinister Sprinkles

  Evil Éclairs

  Tragic Toppings

  Killer Crullers

  Drop Dead Chocolate

  Powdered Peril

  Illegally Iced

  Deadly Donuts

  Assault and Batter

  Sweet Suspects

  Deep Fried Homicide

  Custard Crime

  Lemon Larceny

  Bad Bites

  Old Fashioned Crooks

  Dangerous Dough

  Troubled Treats

  Sugar Coated Sins

  Criminal Crumbs

  The Classic Diner Mysteries

  A Chili Death

  A Deadly Beef

  A Killer Cake

  A Baked Ham

  A Bad Egg

  A Real Pickle

  A Burned Biscuit

  The Ghost Cat Cozy Mysteries

  Ghost Cat: Midnight Paws

  Ghost Cat 2: Bid for Midnight

  The Cast Iron Cooking Mysteries

  Cast Iron Will

  Cast Iron Conviction