by Joanne Fluke
Angel Crunch Cookies is a recipe from Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke, out in March of 2016. Details at the end of this post on how to be one of the first people to read this book by winning an advanced reading copy! Watch KRL in March for a review & an interview with Joanne.
Joanne Fluke
Angel Crunch Cookies
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F., rack in the middle position
3 egg whites (save the yolks in the refrigerator to add to scrambled eggs)
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
2 Tablespoons flour (that’s 1/8 cup)
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (measure AFTER chopping)
3 to 4 dozen candied pecan halves OR 3 to 4 dozen Maraschino cherry halves to place on top of your cookies before baking.
Before you do anything else, separate the egg whites from the yolks. Place the egg whites in the bowl of your mixer so that they will warm to room temperature. Egg whites at room temperature yield more volume and whip easier than cold egg whites.
Place the egg yolks in a Tupperware container with a cover. Store the yolks in the refrigerator to add to your scrambled eggs the next morning. (My mother always said that there’s nothing like a little extra protein for breakfast to give you a head start to the day. I once tried to convince her that cookies had extra protein, but it didn’t work.)
Hannah’s 1st Note (Joanne’s main character): I always use a stand mixer when I make these cookies. It’s a lot easier than whisking egg whites by hand in a copper bowl.
Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper (works best) or brown parcel-wrapping paper (also works, but parchment is preferable). Spray the paper with Pam or another non-stick cooking spray and dust it lightly with flour. You can also use baking spray, which is cooking spray mixed with flour.
Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar, vanilla, and salt until they are stiff enough to hold a soft peak. Add the cup of brown sugar gradually, sprinkling it in with your impeccably clean fingers by quarter cups and beating hard for ten seconds or so after each sprinkling.
Take the bowl out of the mixer.
Mix the flour with the ground nuts. Sprinkle them on top of the whipped egg whites and fold them in with a rubber spatula, keeping as much air in the mixture as you possibly can.
Drop mounds of dough by heaping Tablespoons onto your prepared cookie sheets. If you place 4 mounds in a row and you have 4 rows, you’ll end up with 16 cookies per sheet. These cookies do not spread out very much as they bake.
Hannah’s 2nd Note: I use a Tablespoon from my silverware drawer to drop the mounds on the baking sheets. A cookie scooper doesn’t work very well for this.
Place one candied pecan or a half Maraschino cherry (rounded side up) in the center of each mound. Push the pecan halves or half cherries down a bit, but leave them clearly visible.
Bake your Angel Crunch Cookies at 275 degrees F. for approximately 40 minutes, or until the meringue part of the cookie is slightly golden and dry to the touch.
Cool your cookies on the paper-lined cookie sheets by pulling the paper, cookies and all, over to a wire rack. When the cookies are completely cool, peel them carefully from the paper and store them in an airtight container in a dry place. (A cupboard shelf is fine, just NOT the refrigerator!)
Yield: 3 to 4 dozen sweet and crunchy meringue cookies that are as light as air and that everyone will love to eat.
To enter to win an advanced reading copy of Wedding Cake Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Cake,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 21, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.
Amazing how she writes so very many books and they’re all quite good! Cookies sound heavenly, will give them a try!
These cookies sound delicious, and I love Hannah’s tips. I would love, love, love to win a copy of Wedding Cake Murder! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net
Joanne’s books are always YUMMY!!
I enjoy foodie cozy mystery books, and this one sounds like a great one! Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for the recipe. I always look forward to the next installment of Hannah’s adventures.
I love books based on cooking and catering.
I don’t know what I love more, the mysteries or the recipes!
love her books, can’t wait for the next one. thanks for the recipe and the giveaway
As always I dive into each Cookie Mystery. I am a new reader, but am heading up the list quickly. Just now on Plum Pudding. Just love this series. The final “I Do” between Norman, Mike and Hannah? Sign me up! As quickly I am reading these I will be ready in no time. “Four books in one week!” I borrow the books from my local library. Just 27 years old so catching up on a great series is my goal. So I promise by March I certainly will be ready! My name is Phillip and you may reach me at philski155a(At)Aol (Dot) Com
Have read many of the books in this series and have to back and start over again, just to enjoy the food. Thanks for the chance to get an advance copy.
These cookies sound awesome. Have only read chocolate chip cookie murder – would love to read more of her books. Good luck to all.
I can’t wait for this new book.
I love these books and recipes.
I’ve been looking for a great cookie to take to a Holiday Cookie Exchange & Angel Crunch Cookies sound perfect! I’ve read the previous books in the Hannah Swensen series & look forward to each one.
Can’t wait!
I can’t hardly wait to read this one. And thanks for the recipe.
I love Joanne’s books and I will definitely try this recipe!
Love her books and have made several of the desserts over the years…always yummy and a great “back story” to tell as you serve guests….:)
Hannah really needs to marry Norman!
I love these books! Would love to win this.
Looking forward to the movie in November and this new book in march. Recipes are always great!
I would very much like to have this early! ?
Love her book added to my collection by getting some for Christmas last year & will be getting more this one.
I love all the books and can’t wait for the newest one! Your a wonderful writer and I also read your other books.
I get mad when anyone touches my Joanne Fluke books because they contain yummy recipes! I have resorted to hiding them.
I adore these books! I am a Hannah myself down to the red hair, sauciness and pesky couple of extra pounds. 🙂 My fourteen year old daughter has also become a Hannah fan and has read all of the books. We have enjoyed talking about them. Yes I have a fourteen year old that talks to me!!!! Thanks for the books and the people in them!
This is one of my top series that I love to read. It’s so fun to go and visit with Hannah, Mike, Norman and all the folks there.
These sound luscious and would be a big hit with our DAR members.
LOVE these books! Wouod be wonderful to get a hold of this one!
I love her books and recipes are an added bonus
Love all the recipes in her books. I read everyone and use the cookie recipes for Christmas cookies.
I have read all the books and even have a recipe in one!! Would love an early copy!!
I can’t wait for Wedding Cake Murder.
Happened upon the series by a “fluke.” Can’t wait for this next one. Wish I could get the Hallmark Mysteries Channel. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
I am absolutely addicted to this series since I worked in a bookstore year’s ago, and now that the movies are being made it makes life a little sweeter!
I can’t wait for Hannah to get married. I’m glad she’s not marrying Norman or Mike.
I have read all the books and even have a recipe in one!! Would love to read this one early!!
I’ve read all the Hannah Swenson books and tried a good many of the recipes Jo includes, much to my families delight. Although my 13 year old grandson questioned why I would make recipes from a murder mystery, his favorite are the Cappuccino cookies. Looking forward to the new book.
Love the series …
these cookies sound great am going to try them for a cookie exchange
I love reading Joanne’s books. Love the recipes in the books.
angelbear19662000@yahoo.com
I have read all of Joanne’s books several times, cannot wait for the new one.
love your books and enjoy the recipes thank you for your talent
I just love her books! The recipes are wonderful too. ???
I can’t wait to read Wedding Cake Murder!
Will definitely make the cookies! Hungry just thinking about them. Would love a copy of The Wedding Cake Murder. Have read all the rest with great joy. Thank you
Love her books! I listen to them when I’m sewing 🙂 Looking forward to this one!
I love the Hannah Swenson mysteries and would love to get a free copy of the latest!
Thanks for posting a great cookie recipe!!!
LOVE this series! Would really enjoy an advance copy!
I have read the Hannah Swensen mysteries and loved all of them. Would love to win a copy of the newest book, so I don’t have to wait for it to be released.
diannekc8@gmail.com
I will be definitely trying out the recipe. Love you books. Read everyone thus far. Now my daughter is reading them. I’m looking forward to reading The Wedding Cake Murder.
I have read every one of the books in this series, and most of my favorite dessert, cookie, and cheesecake recipes all came from these books! Jane’s mini cherry cheesecake recipe is a favorite at the local fire stations and they go crazy when I make a few batches each month! You know a recipe is amazing when the firefighters finish 96 mini cheesecakes in about 10 minutes! Thank you for these wonderful books full of delicious recipes!
Love that she has a new book. Can’t wait to read it. And try some of her new recipes!
I love this series , and I own them all on audio and kindle !
kathambre@yahoo.com
Love all of the Hannah books! Read the whole series in about 6 months. Cant wait for the next one!
I really enjoy this series and use the recipes often. I would love a copy of the book.
I am impatiently waiting for this book. I’ve been hooked since book 1. I can’t remember how many cookie recipes I’ve tried because of these books lol.
Will definitely add this recipe to my file. Would love to have the new cookie mystery to add to my collection.
I love Joanne Fluke’s book and the recipes are great also!
Cookies sound great … but familiar. Were they in one of the Hannah Swenson books? Would love to receive the free advance copy of Wedding Cake Murder! Mailing address in email sent a few minutes ago. ;D
Can’t wait to read the new one! Shoot, I can’t wait to read the old ones!
On of my favorite series!! Yummy!!
I would LOVE an advanced copy!! I love her books! I’ve used a few of her recipes and emailed her a couple times! <3
Can’t wait to read another entry in the Hannah Swensen series!! Love these books and the recipes
I am sooo excited!!! Counting down to March!! Thank you Joanne!!!
Sara.sherrin@yahoo(dot)com
I love her books, can’t wait to read the next one, and would love to win one! Beezerluvsbabs@hotmail.com
Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
I am always happy to see a new Joanne Fluke book come out. Love this series!!
Love this series and her recipes!
The recipes are one of the best parts of the Hannah Swenson books…. back to the Chocolate Chip Crunchies, from the first book, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder… I have made Bernadette’s popovers dozens of times! (A favorite of my husband’s).
Love the books and the recipes
I loved ALL of Joanne’s books, even got my sister in law hooked! can’t wait to read her wedding cake murder! shannon_montgomery@live.com
Would love to read this early!
I love Ms. Fluke’s books, especially the Hannah series. I would love to have an advanced copy of Wedding Cake Murder!
Thank you for that recipe! I think I’ll make a batch tomorrow!
Joanne’s Hannah Swensen mysteries and her recipes are my absolute favorites! I would love to get the advance copy of “Wedding Cake Murder.”
Gotta try these can’t wait for this new book and her movie in Nov.
This is a favorite series of mine! I always find a recipe to use and the town sounds just like the one we summer at in MN!
Will make sure I try these cookies. Love the Hannah books and recipes and now the movies on Hallmark. Thanks for offering an advance copy of the latest book.
Love Mrs. Fluke’s books. Fingers crossed!
These cookies sound scrumptious! Looking forward to finding out who Hannah marries!
I’ve read all of Hanna’s adventures. I can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you JoAnne for this opportunity! Just adore your books!!
Thank you for this opportunity JoAnne! I just adore your books!
I love all of these books. I’ve made quite a few of the cookies too and they are always a huge hit with friends and family.
I have borrowed all the books from the library and I used to photocopy the recipes. Then I bought the cookbook, which of course only went so far and I also bought one of the Christmas books because it was half story, half recipes. I love them both. I have tried quite a few of the recipes. I have sticky note flags everywhere! I can’t wait to see what this newest book has in store and if she actually goes through with getting married! This series satisfies two things I love – mysteries and baking!
I anxiously await every time Jo has a new book I get to look forward to. Love – Love – Love the Hannah Swensen series!
Great Article and I love Hannah’s recipes. Quite a few have made it into our annual celebrations. I love reading the ongoing saga of Hannah’s life.
Thanks for the recipe! Thank you, Hannah, for the notes. I look forward to the new book!
ElaineE246 at msn dot com
Love the Hannah mystery series! Recipes are delicious!
Can’t wait to read this – love the books and the recipes- have read them all and have the cookbook too!
I love your books and recipes. I would love to win this one.
Love all of the Hannah books and recipes. These are my favorite cookbooks!
I’d love to win a copy of wedding cake Murder! Bought carrot cake Murder years ago at the airport and had to have them all.
love her books can’t wait until next one comes out hope to win and thanks for doing the giveaway
I love Hannah and this series! Can’t wait for this book! JLynne427@gmail.com
I have read all of the books and love them and can’t wait to read the next one. Who will be the one or is there going to be an actual wedding with Hannah?
I e-mailed too. Looking forward to trying the cookies. Love the books and recipes that are included.
Omg! Would love to win an advance copy. Fingers crossed.
I love this series! I want to go to Lake Eden and hang out with Hannah at The Cookie Jar!
Love her books!
These cookies sound yummy! I absolutely love all the books in this series and can’t wait to get my hands on Wedding Cake Murder”!!!
A good mystery, cookies and coffee are the way to my heart. I think Hannah would agree. Thank you for the recipe. I can’t wait for the book. -Teresa (tisacapo@hotmail.com)
Gotta <3 a good Mystery & Some Good Desserts… What a great Combo!
Joanne Fluke is such a great author. Can’t wait to read her new book.
Can’t wait to try these cookies. They sound delicious.
This is a great recipe
I love this recipe and will try it.
I love all her books and recipes can’t wait to read wedding cake murder! Pattidodson888@gmail.com
I’m so excited for the newest Hannah Swensen mystery! And thanks so much for sharing this recipe. Those cookies look so yummy! aleonardi@my.com
Love the books. Your my favorite author. Love the recipes. I’ve baked some of your cookies. Can’t wait for the Wedding Cake Mystery. I still think Hannah needs to marry Norman. They make a perfect couple.?
I have also read the entire series, thanks to my public library! Eagerly awaiting the next installment : )
I’ve tried a bunch of the cookie recipes. Took some to our cookie exchange party last Christmas, and gave a copy of the LAKE EDEN COOKBOOK to the hostess. So fun!
Please enter me in the giveaway – it would be great to read it without waiting on a hold from the library.
marychildersdiehl@gmail.com
Love the books! Love the recipes! Love the movies! Thank you JoAnn!
So looking forward to Hannah’s wedding! Also, love the Hallmark movies based on the books. Thank you, Joanne Fluke!
They sound delicious! Can’t wait to try them!
Love, love, love all the Hannah Swenson books and can’t wait for the new release! Thanks for the recipe and the chance to win! kimdavishb@gmail.com
Love all of Joanne’s books that I have read!!
I love Joanne’s books…they’re a nice, relaxed read. As a cat-lover, I certainly enjoy Moishe’s antics. I would love to win an advanced copy of her new book and will definitely write a review.
Thanks!
Love this type of cookie and would love to win a copy of the book. Thanks, Joanne!
I can’t wait to try out the Angel Crunch cookies!! Thanks for the recipe!! I make Whippersnappers all the time!! The Rocky Road Bars are a favorite also!! I love your books and it’s great to see the movies on Hallmark as well!!
Love this series. This series got my hooked on cozy mysteries!
Oh goody, a birthday present, my birthday is in March, can’t wait! More fun, more recipes, mmmmmmmmmmm.
I love Hannah and all of Jo’s books.
michelleschultz92@gmail.com
Love these books and the accompanying cookbook. Can’t wait for the new book!
I would love to win. Thanks for the contest.
Love this series, and can’t wait to read the new book! Also love all the recipes!! Some have become favourites in my family!
Anxiously awaiting this next book.
I love the Hannah Swensen series, and own every one except “Wedding Cake Murder” (of course). Looking forward to the newest installment!
So happy there’s another book. We make Joanne’s sugar cookies every Christmas to give away to everyone. Every year we get more and more requests! Can’t wait to read this one. Happy Holidays!
Love this series and would love the next book a little early.
Would love to have a copy of this new Hannah book – a dear friend’s wife got me started on these books and now despite the fact that he is no longer with us, I anxiously await the arrival of a new one so I can talk to his wife about them!
Absolutely love Joanne’s books. I also love her recipes. I’ve tried several of Hannah’s yummy cookies. Always winners with my friends!
I would love to win!! Thanks!
I love Hannah. Can’t wait to read the next installment,and seeing the plum pudding murder brought to life on the Hallmark Mysteries channel.
I would love to win the book!! And can hardly wait to make the cookies!
I almost as excited to try this recipe as I am to read Wedding Cake Murder! Thanks so very much for sharing the stories and adventures of Hannah and the rest of the gang of Lake Eden!
LOVE these books!
Have been reading her books for years and making some of her recipes. Would love to have her new book. Thank you for the opportunity.
I love all of her books and would love to win this one!
Both the story and recipe sound good.
I have read all the Hannah books and baked more than a few of the recipes. I would love to read an advance copy of Wedding Cake Murder!
Love the Hannah books! Would love to win Wedding Cake Murder!
Sign me up for the book drawing:) thanx 🙂
I love all of your books I couldn’t put them down. I am looking forward to read the wedding cake murder I would like to win the book.
I love reading all your books and have made many of your recipes. I am looking forward to reading Wedding Cake Murder.
Mary Ladylotion@msn.com
I’m a new fan and love reading your books! I’m looking forward to the next Hallmark movie soon to air. 🙂
Thank you! Enjoyed the article and recipe!
Joanne Fluke is my absolute FAVORITE author!!!! I have read every book and can’t wait for the next!!!! Absolutely love, love, love the storyline and the recipes!!!!! goldi38@wi.rr.com
Excited for the next book to come out!
I love this series! Can;t waituntil the next book is released.
I love reading Joanne Fluke’s books. 🙂
I love these books and can’t wait to read the new one. An advanced copy would be so great!
Can’t wait for Hannah’s big day!
stclairck@gmail.com
I have been wanting to try these books out.
Love the books!
Can’t wait to read the newest Hannah novel!!!
I love the recipes in the book. Looking forward to trying these. I went to try them the other day and the page wouldn’t open. Can’t wait to hear who gets to read her “advanced copy”. I had applied by e-mail. Now just to get the cookie recipe to forward.
Love reading the different mysteries and of course getting new recipes to try out and share with my loved ones.
We have a winner!
I truly appreciate the energy and creativity of Ms. Joanne Fluke. And I have all of the murder she bake books and many of the recipes are now part of our collection and they have all been really good. My Mother in law passed away before I joined the family and for one of our first family dinners I made peach cobbler, from the Peach Cobbler Murder book, my new sister in law started crying after a couple of bites and I was panic struck ,but it was because she said the cobbler tasted just as their moms had a no one had the recipe or had been able to get it right. , Ms. Fluke got it right and that recipe will now be our family cobbler recipe. Thank you Ms. Fluke ?
Looking forward to the next book!
This is one of the first cozy series that I started reading years ago! Reading about Hannah’s sleuthing exploits has provided many enjoyable hours. I love trying out the many recipes with helpful tips included in each book. And it’s been interesting to see Hallmark’s interpretation on Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and Plum Pudding Murder. And after so much debate between Norman and Mike I am eagerly anticipating Wedding Cake Murder!!
I am in love Joanne Fluke’s books! My Grandmother told me about them and just last year I came across one of the books in the series at my local library and I became addicted to the series and I am DYING to read Double Fudge Brownie Murder and I am going crazy to see what happens next.
These cookies sound delicious can’t wait to try them!
One of my favorite series. I love learning more about the characters.
Yay! I love this series and am starting to read through them all again for the second time. Thank-you for offering this giveaway Joanne and thank-you for hosting it to Kingsriverlife.com!
I would so love to win Wedding Cake Murder! I have all of your Hannah Swenson Mystery Series and they are so awesome, they hold your attention from the beginning to the very end. She is an excellent writer and I hope that she keeps writing for years to come.
I would love to win Wedding Cake Murder!! I am quickly becoming a fan thanks to the Hallmark Movies.
Love meringue cookies so these are a winner. Huge fan of the series. Even bought the cookbook. Can’t wait for new book.
Too bad I missed this by 1 month and a day! Love these mysteries and I can’t seem to put the books down. Can’t wait until February and hopefully my local library will be getting the book! I’ve seriously fallen in love with all of the characters. I never want the books to end. Thank you for the beautiful writing.
My granddaughter and I have read the entire series together and are literally dying for the new book Wedding Cake Murder. We are in competition to see who gets to read it first. We love all the Hannah books
I can’t wait for the next book! Cbsassy(at)comcast(dot)net
I have read each and everybook, love the recipes. Have purchased both recipe books and use them.
Would love to have a copy of the new mystery, can’t wait to find out who she chooses. (hopefully Mike)
Have enjoyed each and every book–and have made many of the cookies in your books.
I love Hannah’s tips in all of the recipes.
Love all the books plus always making tasty items is the bonus
Have just finished Double Fudge Brownie Murder. Been in bed with Cold/Flu so managed to finish it in one day, which was essential as I could not put it down. Trouble is I am still in bed with Cold/Flu and PJ my Cavalier King Charles but no JF book to read so would love to win a copy of her new mystery.
Oxfordshire UK
I have read every single one of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen books.Every single one. I also have purchased almost every single book for my personal home library. My goal is to own the entire collection. The characters, plots, and recipes keep me coming back for more! Can’t wait for the next book! Literally!
New to the series. Saw the Hallmark movie. I can’t wait to read the books.
I can’t wait for the next Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen book. I have all of the others including the cookbook that was put out. I have gotten my daughter to read the books which is saying a lot since she doesn’t read much. But these books she really enjoys and gives us something to share.
luv
Can’t wait for to read this book! Love the series!
this is a great series!! i love it one of the ones i want to collect all the books for. i Liston to them on my iPod and read the large print books. trying to check them from my library is hard they don’t have all of them. THIS IS SOME!!
I hope the love triangle finally comes to an end. This will be a great addition to the series. So glad hallmark has embraced this well loved character. Allison Sweeney makes a great Hannah.
Love the stories and the recipe’s are a great treat. Can’t wait for the next book to come out.
I’ve become a major fan. Thank you
I just discovered the “Murder She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery” and loved it. Can’t wait to find the other books and recipes…mysteries and food…my favorites!
Looking forward to reading the Wedding Cake Murder!
Coffee, baking & books… life is good!
I love the Hannah Swenson books!!! Can’t wait for the next one to come out. I was so excited when Hallmark came out with the movies. It was fun to put faces with all of the characters. I had to tape them all, to watch again . Thank you for the wonderful characters you have created.
I have become so hooked on Hannah Swensen books!! I love the great recipes & the great mysteries…can’t wait for the newest adventure. I am so sad that I missed the Hallmark day, oh did I ever miss out.
Have read all your “Hanna series”. Love them all. Are you ever going to publish a cook book with all the recipes?
I would Love a new cookbook. new recipes. I have tried many of the ones in the book and save all the books to have any recipes that did not make the first cookbook. Love Every book. “More Please”
Joanna Fluke is an excellent author and baker who has shared many cookie recipes that are Devine. more! I would also feel very privileged to win a copy of The Wedding Cake Murder!
I love that Hallmark channel is making movies of her books; WooHoo, I have watched them all and can’t wait for more. Keep the books coming Joanna.
Joanne is my hands down favourite author. I have every single book in both e-book and print version. I just bought the wedding cake murder book that’s limited edition on January 21st. I love the whole mystery series so much that I gave one of my extra copies to my cooking teacher. She loved it so much. This is my favourite series that I’ve read in a long time. I’m only 18 and I got through every one of the books in about a couple of months. I didn’t really start with the first book. When I found out about this being a series. I went and bought as many of the books as I could. I just love all the mystery in the books an I hope that Joanne can keep making the books so fans and readers like me can enjoy them
All I know is that everything I have baked from your books is delicious and works out wonderfully.
I love the Hanna Swenson books. I just finished Double Fudge Brownie Murder. The recipes are a wonderful bonus. I can’t wait to read the newest one. Thanks for writing such enjoyable books!
I won a Kindle Fire and started add books right away. I came across the first book and read it. I was hooked. I have read all of them but the Wedding Cake Murder, I am reading it now. I was saving it for my vacation but couldn’t wait. I love all of the books and the recipes. My great grandson, Daltyn, loves to bake; so he loves to bake your recipes for cookies. I can’t wait for the next book to come out! Thank you for writing a great series.
Love the recipe and the series. weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com