Devil's Food Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #14)(64)

“If you and Michelle go anywhere, just leave a note on your door.”

“Will do,” Hannah promised, but she didn’t feel good about it. Something was wrong. She wished she knew what it was, but Norman was being secretive again.





HOMEMADE SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

? cup boiling water





4 tablespoons butter





? cup sugar





? teaspoon pure vanilla extract





1 cup powdered milk (I used Carnation Nonfat Powdered Milk, but I’ve also used my local grocery store brand.)





In a blender, or using an electric mixer set on LOW, blend together the boiling water and butter.

Add the sugar and let it run for a few seconds.

Add the pure vanilla extract and let it run for several additional seconds.

Shut off the blender or mixer, pour in the powdered milk, and then blend or mix on LOW until the resulting mixture is thick.

Use immediately, or store in a covered container in the refrigerator. This homemade version of sweetened condensed milk will last for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Yield: This recipe makes the equivalent of one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk that can be used in pies, cakes, cookie bars and flans.

Hannah’s Note: My Grandma Ingrid made this up every Sunday morning and put it in the refrigerator to use in coffee for the whole week.

SUBSTITUTE FOR SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

(for anyone who needs to avoid milk or dairy)

2 large eggs





1 cup brown sugar (pack it down when you measure it)





1 teaspoon vanilla extract





2 Tablespoons flour





? teaspoon baking powder





? teaspoon salt





Hannah’s 1st Note: This is easy to make if you use an electric mixer. You can also make it in a blender. You must make it fresh for each recipe you bake.

Beat the eggs until they’re of a uniform color and thoroughly blended.

Add the brown sugar and mix it in.

Add the vanilla extract. Mix it in.

Add the flour and beat for one minute, making sure it’s thoroughly incorporated into the mixture.

Add the baking powder and the salt. Beat for another minute.

Set the resulting mixture aside on the counter until you need it in your recipe. Then add it when your recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk.

Hannah’s 2nd Note: This substitute can be used in any BAKED dessert recipe, including pies, cakes, and cookie bars. DO NOT use it in frostings or candy.

Yield: One recipe makes enough to substitute for one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk. (That’s the store-bought size.)





Chapter Twenty-One

“Hannah?” Michelle came out of Hannah’s condo kitchen with a cup of hot chocolate. “Did you know there’s a ball of socks on top of your refrigerator?”

“Another one,” Hannah said with a sigh, glancing over at Moishe, who looked totally uninterested in their conversation.

“Moishe?” Michelle asked, noticing Hannah’s glance at her cat.

“He’s the only one who lives here besides me. And I really don’t think I’m sleepwalking with socks in my hand. Maybe you’ll be able to tell which one of us is doing it, now that you’re staying here.”

“But Moishe can’t get your sock drawer open…can he?”

“Don’t forget you’re doubting the abilities of the stubborn feline who managed to chew his way through the back of a locked cabinet to get at his food,” Hannah reminded her.

Michelle gave a little shrug. “That’s true. Have you checked the back of your sock drawer?”

“That was the first thing I did.”

“And?”

“No holes anywhere. The drawer is solid wood, and it’s heavy. If I’m not doing it, Moishe is. But I can’t figure out how he’s pulling out that drawer.”

“Maybe I can. I’ll keep an eye on him. And on you, too. Sleepwalking’s not all that unusual, you know, especially in times of high stress. Are you stressed, Hannah?”

“Who, me? What could I possibly be stressed about? Just because my cat’s exhibiting unusual behavior, Mike is about to warn me not to get involved in Paul’s murder case and I already am, Mother keeps adding items to the menu for her book launch party, and Norman’s spending more time with Doctor Bev who’s prettier, and younger, and has a perfect figure. That couldn’t possibly lead to stress, could it?”

“Forget I asked. You’re stressed,” Michelle pronounced. “I can tell because you just got sarcastic. You never get sarcastic when you’re not stressed.”

“That’s probably true,” Hannah admitted.

“I saw her, you know.”

Hannah knew precisely which her Michelle was referring to. “What did you think of her?”

“Everything you said with one addition. She’s a fake.”

“What?”

“She’s a fraud,” Michelle repeated. “There’s something about her that doesn’t ring true. Nobody’s that sweet and perfect. She’s like…a dental doll.”