I usually don't post recipes but couldn't resist as this ties in with my upcoming book. In Courting Morrow Little, Morrow likes to make apple dumplings when she's not fending off suitors and whatnot. In chapter 9, I described her apple dumpling recipe in great detail, exceeding my editor's expectations, and so had to trim at the galleys stage. Sometimes I forget you don't really need or want to know every teeny-tiny detail:) Prior to publishing I baked a lot. This is a recipe that will cause a stampede at a church potluck - or add some personal padding if you're in search of that:) It's taken from the Berea Baptist Church cookbook in Berea, Kentucky and is a favorite at our house:Easy Apple Dumplings
2 sticks real butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 Granny Smith apples
2 (8 count) cans Crescent Rolls
1 (12. oz.) can Mountain Dew
Melt butter in microwave. Add sugar and cinnamon. Set aside. Peel and quarter apples. Unroll crescent dough; roll a piece of apple in each one. There will be 16. Place in a 9x13 inch pan. Pour Mountain Dew around the sides of the pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Great with coffee or tea!
Now Morrow didn't have any Mountain Dew and she had to churn all that butter, so she would love the ease of this recipe. I sure do.I checked the status of her debut and Christianbook.com says the book is releasing June 1! Amazon is a bit later. I'm not sure when it will be at Barnes&Noble, Wal-Mart, etc. My publisher tends to get books into stores a bit ahead of the release date which is officially July 1.
Anyway, bless you as you bake - and read!
Yum! I've never made apple dumplings, but I'll try that recipe! Hey, anything with butter AND Mountain Dew HAS to be good, right? LOL Oh, and apples... ;)
ReplyDeleteCan't WAIT for COURTING MORROW LITTLE!!!
Mmmm, those look so delicious! I dont know that I've ever had an apple dumpling? Looks like I need to go buy some mountain dew and give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI got my Morrow post card today! She is so lovely. I can't wait to meet her! I am selfishly so glad that you're such an inspired writer :) I think June will be a good month for reading....
June 1! How exciting! I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteThe apple dumpling recipe sounds yummy, too. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Have a great weekend!
Mmmm. Why the mountain dew? I got my postcard today. I hung it up on my magnet board. And I agree with Regina, CAN'T WAIT!!
ReplyDeleteOh boy! I preordered my copy from CBD, so hopefully I'll get it soonest.
ReplyDeleteThat recipe looks great, Laura. Like you, I'm a baker at heart, though for the past few months I haven't had nearly as much time for it. Been thinking of a peach pie for the weekend though.
I got my Morrow post card today too. Grinned at it all the way back up the drive. :)
Laura!! How cute!! Thank you for the recipe and I’ll be sure to try it! They look adorable :) I LOVE to bake and cook too! My mom is AMAZING at it ALL and I hope to one day attain her level of effortless perfection- I just hope when the apple fell it stayed close to the tree and didn’t role down the hill ;)
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I LOVE every teeny-tiny detail!! They are the vehicle that transports you into the story- whether it’s to understand the character better, feel the emotion more deeply, or to see what their seeing more clearly (especially in historicals). Attention to details (no matter how small they are) are the mark of a GREAT author- and you are most definitely one of the BEST!!!
And, Morrow’s debuting June 1st?!?!! Just in time for my b-day on the 8th :)
Blessings,
Amanda Stanley
Preordered through CBD. Won't show my DH this post or discuss it. I had an awesome dumpling recipe from a 1950's cookbook that I only make once a decade because it took so long and made such a mess, but he loves it. How friendly is this recipe, Laura?
ReplyDeleteI will now call the Frantz Family "The Apple Dumpling Gang" : ) Thanks for the recipes!
ReplyDeleteSharing your excitement and anticipation, waiting for "Courting Morrow Little" : )
Regina, OH I'm so excited that you're excited about the dumplings and book!! Bookmarks headed your way as I mailed them yesterday:) I chuckled at your wording because this recipe really is all about the butter and Mt Dew! Though there are a few apples swimming around in there...
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the Kentucky version of Mountain Dew? It's called Ale-8, I think. Anyway, so glad I get to share all this book bliss with you, dear Kentucky friend:)
Heather, Morrow looks like a June bride, doesn't she? Soooo glad you got the postcard. I still have reams to mail out so if some of you haven't gotten yours yet, you will:) Bookmarks coming, too. Bless you for your enthusiasm. Love and need that!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I don't feel quite ready for June 1 for some reason and it is certainly right around the bend. When this all began the contract date said August 1st and then July 1 and now JUNE! But God is good and I'm hoping for lots of vacationing readers:)
ReplyDeleteCasey, I wondered why the Mt Dew myself and still can't figure it out:) But they sure are good. I don't drink pop, even!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the thumbs up for Morrow! And for hanging with her! She'd like that:)
Oh, peach pie is one of my favorites, Lori. And I know you're a very good baker! Thanks so much for ordering off CBD. That's wonderful to hear. I need to do the same as I'm going to go through my allotment pretty quickly with giveaways/interviews and whatnot.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get your CBD copy, please let me know:) I promise to do the same for you when your time comes!
Happy early birthday, Amanda dear!! I love birthdays as they're a good excuse to get books:) I hope you have something fun planned for yourself. Maybe your mom will bake you a birthday cake?! I sure miss that. Am chuckling at your rolling apple comment. I bet you have a few good recipes under your belt, as well:)
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree wholeheartedly with you - detail is what makes a story sing for me, too. Love that! And thanks for your very gracious words. I'm so thankful you're one of my readers and friends. God is sure good to bring encouragers alongside us when we need them most. And you get an A plus!!
Carrie, So good to see you here. And thanks for your CBD order and taking time to tell me. Wow. I have a few things coming your way. You may cry uncle before I'm through, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteAs for the recipe, it is very easy and no-fail. I was skeptical when my mom told me about it, especially when it contained Mt Dew. When she was here visiting, we made it about 3x in 2 weeks. I hope you like it. Though your old recipe sounds very good! Don't tell DH and he might think it's the old one instead:)
Virginia, You always think up the cleverest things! We really are the apple dumpling gang:) That's a high compliment as it's one of our favorite family movies. Thanks so much for looking forward to Morrow's story. I hope and pray you like it like Lael's.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, One more thing. Clark might love making this if you pare and peel the apples for him. Paul made this for potluck Sunday a couple of weeks ago and he fussed at me because I was helping too much:) It's even kid-friendly.
ReplyDeleteLael has a piece of my heart with her enduring bravery and unconquerable spirit. I look forward to meeting Morrow and getting to know her own unique personality : )
ReplyDeleteVirginia, What a lovely thing to say. I so appreciate your openness to a new character. Lael was certainly what you describe. Thank you for that. Morrow is so very different but hopefully as memorable and unique. You are a dear, thoughtful friend.
ReplyDeleteOh that recipe sounds so good. I've never made apple dumplings, I'll definitely have to try it sometime. I love to bake and cook, but sometimes being single makes it a little difficult. There's only me to eat it, and honestly when it comes to some things I don't have the willpower to resist, lol.
ReplyDeleteI think I might have to place a pre-order with CBD. June 1 sounds like a wonderful release date, and it would be a belated birthday present since my birthday is May 23.
I'm really looking forward to reading Morrow's story.
Happy early birthday, Michelle! Wow - next Sunday!? You'll have the day off, I hope. Hope it's a wonderful one for you. We're big on birthdays here:) I love any excuse to eat pasta and cake. Or order books!
ReplyDeleteSome bookmarks coming your way. Thanks so much for being so faithful here. You sure bless me!
With your release coming up soon, you must be getting excited. I'm eager to read Morrow's story.
ReplyDeleteHave you received your author copies yet? When they arrive, what's the first thing you do? Hug your baby to your chest, run your hands over the beautiful cover, sniff the smell of ink on new pages? I'd love for you to post a picture of you and Morrow's book when you have it.
how long do you think those will last in my home?.... maybe, i better make a double batch, huh? ha ha
ReplyDeletethey look delicious!
Wow, that recipe sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteExcited that Morrow's debut is almost here!
Wow. A recipe that sounds delicious AND easy. As someone who views cooking as a necessity not a joy, that sounds perfect. Thanks, Laura!
ReplyDeleteKeli,
ReplyDeleteNo author copies yet but soon. My pub is so thoughtful as they FedEx a single copy overnight so the ink smells really fresh:) I do all the wonderful things you mention here. It really is like a new baby - can't stop looking at it or holding it or peeking at all its parts.
You gave me the great idea to take a pic of TFD on the shelf at Barnes&Noble last go round and it is one of my favorite posts. Since it's so far away I'll do just what you suggest and pose with my first copy or my box of books:) Thanks for the idea. And thanks so much for sharing my the excitement!
Lisa, DO make a double batch:) Better yet, let your kids make YOU a double batch! I buy the litre of Mt Dew at Walmart for 99cents and the crescent rolls there, too. I guarantee there won't be any leftovers in your kitchen!
ReplyDeleteRuth, You will always have a special place in my heart because of your indepth review of TFD. I think Morrow may be on a different blog tour than the one you're on this time. I bet your TBR stack is tremendous. BTW, if anyone wants to read an amazing review of the upcoming movie, Robin Hood, please visit Ruth's blog. She's Siskel and Ebert in female form:)
ReplyDeleteBrenda, Cooking has become a necessity to me, too, and I miss the fun and creativity of it. This recipe brings back the JOY. And everyone who eats it will think you slaved all day:)
ReplyDeleteOh, darn! You ruined the snappy little comment I was going to make: So where did Morrow find the Mountain Dew? :-)
ReplyDeleteI am SO going to make these apple dumplings. I love to bake, though I don't do it often enough. I find it very relaxing. Aren't church cookbooks the best? They are my absolute favorite. That's where you find the real-life recipes that real people actually make.
I thought all booksellers had to release books on the same date? Maybe not. Well, I need to go ahead and order my two copies of Morrow from my hometown bookstore---one to read and one to give away on my blog! I will email you soon with questions for the interview.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Hi Mary! You're in Mountain Dew country:) I think you'll love this recipe - as will George and Peter! Let me know when you try it - and don't forget the whipped cream or ice cream!
ReplyDeleteRelease dates are a bit of a mystery to me, too. You'd think all booksellers would be given one specific date. Amazon tends to be a bit behind for some reason.
And Mary, I will gladly provide a book for your blog giveaway. It's the least I can do as your friend and guest! Can't wait:)
Oh, I definitely have my birthday off. I work Monday-Friday, so it definitely wasn't a problem this year. Definitely planning for cake, or maybe cupcakes. I'm considering going to Old Chicago Pizza for dinner. It's at Hamburg Pavillion, right in front of Barnes and Noble.
ReplyDeleteI got the postcard in the mail today, you have beautiful handwriting. Looking forward to the bookmarks!
Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Michelle! Love hearing the postcards are making it intact. If I was there I'd take you to Bella Notte for your birthday and we'd have a pasta pigout:) But Old Chicago Pizza sounds wonderful, too. Will be thinking of you! Bookmarks on the way Monday!
ReplyDelete"It really is like a new baby - can't stop looking at it or holding it or peeking at all its parts."
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile. I can just see you counting all Morrow's fingers and toes!
And I second Laura's urging to check out Ruth's reviews at Booktalk & More, if you haven't already. She's "The #1 Ladies' Books & Movies Reviewer." I blame a lot of great hours of good movie watching and book reading and one very special friendship on that woman. :)
I got a postcard for Courting Morrow Little today! I look forward to reading it. I noticed you also had an animal rescue stamp on the card. We saved two cats this year by adopting them. It's really a miracle story because they were both supposed to have already been put down.
ReplyDeleteAdge, I kind of suspected you were a cat lady:) Your rescue story sounds so neat. Most of our animals are from the humane society or a rescue operation, even my parent's big boxer. I think those stamps are a way of promoting that.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got the card and took time to tell me. That sure makes me smile. Bookmarks headed your way soon!
Lori, You can tell I love babies. So does Morrow:) And hats off to RUTH! I'm so ready to see Robin Hood, Russell Crowe, and all. I'm sure I'll be wishing I was Maid Marion, or however it's spelled! Wish we could go together and share a blizzard afterward!
ReplyDeleteLaura I got your post card in the mail today too!! It put a smile on my face when I desperately needed one :) You are such a blessing!! God knows just what we need when we need it, Amen?! And I agree with Michelle, you have beautiful handwriting ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amanda Stanley
Amen, Amanda! God really does know what we need. So glad it gave you a lift. Bookmarks coming your way! That's my assignment for today and it's a pleasure to do it! Have a wonderful Sunday:)
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say the giveaway winner is Regina Merrick. Bless you, Regina! And since I have your address as I mailed you bookmarks, I'll get the books in the mail to you tomorrow:)
ReplyDeleteThese look yummy! I'm not a baker, but I may just have to give this a try....maybe this summer during our break. I so looking forward to your book!...I'll be reading that this summer too!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne, Glad you like the look of the recipe. If you try it, I think your boys would love it:) Mine sure, do. Happy reading and crafting (or baking) to you this week!
ReplyDelete