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Making Christmas Morning Easy…

Merry Christmas Eve! I know with all of the Covid 19 precautions, most of us won’t be celebrating Christmas the way we have been used to in the past. It’s the first time since our daughter was born that we won’t have our family together. I just keep telling myself that next year we’ll all be back to normal. 

On a very trivial note, this is the first year in a while that I haven’t had a Panera coffee cake here for Christmas morning. (I have mentioned how much I dislike baking things from scratch.) I think it’s nice to have something to eat with your morning coffee – and the Panera coffee cake was the easiest way to go. However, with all of the hassles of not wanting to go into the restaurant to pick it up I decided to bake something from scratch… if “scratch” includes a boxed mix. 

So this morning I baked a Krusteaz Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake, and I’m here to tell you that it is delicious! For those of you who bake a lot, you would probably say “Hmmmmmm, not on my watch!” to this, but let me say that as a non-baker, it’s delicious! And it seems like a perfect solution for people who want a fresh coffee cake but who are like me: non-bakers.

I hope this holiday season has been healthy for all of you. Just remember that next year we should be back to normal. As difficult as this year has been for all of us, the holiday season is a joyous time of year. Here’s wishing you ALL an early Healthy, Happy, and Merry Christmas!

Comments

  1. Happy Holidays to you, Danna. Thank you for all you do to bring us such wonderful, information via the blog. I know you work very diligently on it to bring us all the latest information and books. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I appreciate all you do! Take care and stay safe!
    By the way, I have made that coffee cake and it is awesome! Enjoy! Merry Christmas to all Cozy Mystery Blog readers.

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  3. With very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! Here’s to things being back to normal by Holiday Season 2022!

    Thanks for all your hard work on this website. It’s very much appreciated!

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  6. I love the Krusteaz line of products AND – I have a cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix in my cupboard, ready and waiting for Christmas morning. I will get my pan ready and the measuring cups out tonight so that I can mix it and put it in the oven first thing Christmas morning.

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  7. Thanks so much for the warm feelings that you create all throughout the year. It is a selfless act. Happy Holidays!!!!

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  8. Merry Christmas, Danna! Thanks for your always welcomed listing of cozy mysteries! Happy (much better!) New Year!

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  9. Dear Danna:
    It’s okay to not be a baker. I do happen to be one but as I am living alone and all of my family are either in Vermont or Oregon, I won’t be baking this year either. I do make muffins and I baked a batch today for Christmas eve and take them to my neighbors. Some are shut in and have no family in the area so it is my way of Christmas giving.

    I am a reader though and want to recommend two Christmas Novellas from Anne Perry that are winners! But they are mysteries.
    I don’t know if we would consider Anne Perry a Cozy writer-she isn’t usually. But Christmas Visitor and Christmas Journey are both good books and in the season. So enjoy!

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  10. You are too funny! I love to bake-cookies. No cakes (even though I took a cake decorating class) or pies.
    There was a Betty Crocker muffin mix BOGO so I couldn’t resist.
    I added plumped up dried cherries to the chocolate chip muffin mix, sprinkled sparkling sugar and they were terrific! So we all have our secrets. Danna, have a great Christmas, and think how much better life will be in a few months. Thanks for all your research and your great info on the website. I am one of your loyal followers!
    Merry Christmas to all to all your readers as well.

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  11. Merry Christmas! This has been an unusual year and I am sending out lots of hope for a safer and calmer 2021 for everyone. I am so glad you found something new to make and that made you happy. I will be getting this to try for my family. Have a safe and healthy New Year everyone!

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  12. Next time while shopping I will buy the Krustcaz Cinnamon swirl crumb cake. I am not a baker.It sounds wonderful and different from the standard breakfast. Happy Holidays to all!

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  13. Since we all seem to like a treat with out coffee/tea/cocoa/whatever on Christmas morning, my sister sent me a half dozen packages of Wolferman English muffins for Christmas. She carefully selected types that she thought we each would really like.

    For New Years, I am going to bake her bread and drop it on her door step. I made bread 40 years ago and had stopped because it is so time consuming. Between being retired and mostly isolated, I have plenty of time and I have been experimenting with various additions.

    I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season a healthy New Year.

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  16. Danna, I love the Krusteaz line. My favorite is the Cranberry Orange muffins. I have not tried the Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake, but I’m sure it’s just as delicious as all the rest. I’m going to try that one.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, and I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

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  19. Thank you for your story and wishes for all of us. My familywon’t be here either for our Christmas celebration but Jesus will be. I’ve enjoyed your blogs every time you send one. Here is from my family to yours a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. A miracle happened to me yesterday, I have 6 daughters 4 of which we adopted when their Mother passed away and two sons, one adopted from the same family plus an exchange student daughter from over 20 years ago and a daughter whose Mother left her when she was 14 who had to finish raising her two brothers, take on the cooking, cleaning and laundry. I love each and every one of these children but our oldest natural daughter has no spoken to me in over three years. I got a letter from her yesterday and she is talking to me again. Miracles are real. Everyone out there who might read this just know that no matter what you are going through right now if you can take your problems to God, He is listening and expect miraculous things to happen. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL, Jeannie

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  20. Thanks Danna! I bake, but l have had Krusteaz Crumb Cakes before and they are delicious. I have some store baked cookies that l will be enjoying. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! 🎄✨
    Anne

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  21. Our first Christmas without our adult children and grandchildren too. But I know it is the right thing to do. We are going to Zoom to talk to each other. Hopefully I will get a new mystery to read. I enjoy your posts so much. And thanks for the movie listings too. Happy Holidays!

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  23. I’m not much of a baker either and I agree with you -this is a great coffee cake. Sometimes I add pecans to the topping. Merry Christmas and happy reading!

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  25. Have a Merry and Cozy Christmas, Danna! Thank you for your wonderful recommendations and reviews. You’re terrific.

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  26. Danna – I DO enjoy baking. Just made over 12 dozen. cookies for Xmas, but I ALWAYS keep a box of Krusteaz Crumb Cake in my cupboard. It really is excellent!
    Try their lemon bars. Mmmm!
    Merry Christmas, and thank you for this most enjoyable blog.
    Retired librarian-
    Susan

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  28. Danna, wishing you a special Merry Christmas despite missing part of your family. I couldn’t get the zoom connection to work so FaceTimed with family. I will enjoy a piece of pumpkin pie with my coffee :)…. plan to pick up a box of the crumb cake as sounds delicious. Always so appreciative of all things cozy you keep us informed about. May 2021 hold many blessings for you.

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  29. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! As most people, I will not mind saying goodbye to this year. I just found out I am suffering from depression with strange symptoms (loss of focus, fatigue etc.) I’m glad for a doctor who insisted on tests. Please get help if you need it. God has sent us people to help us, especially through the birth of His son. Tell someone you love them. Be grateful for technology to keep in touch with friends and family. Hundreds of years ago we didn’t have that privilege. May 2021 be a blessing to everyone!

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  30. Merry Christmas, Danna! Thank you so much for the perennial gift of your wonderful blog. And I LOVE Krusteaz mixes!

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  31. I do enjoy baking, but we decided this year to be extravagant (we don’t have kids) and had champagne, and caviar with creme fraiche and blinis while we opened our gifts…we’re going to make it an annual tradition!

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  32. I love to watch those cookie baking and decorating shows on TV this time of year, but since I’m not so great as a baker I’ve turned to decorating Christmas ornaments as cookies instead. Much better as an artist than a cook, LOL!

    Yes, I hope and pray that Christmas 2021 will be lovely for everyone, but I’m thankful for the blessings we had this year, all the family healthy, our jobs, able to stay in touch through online and by phone. Thanks, again, Danna, for this website and for the books and movies you share and the community of readers you’ve built here, it has helped make many dark days brighter this past year.

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  33. I love that coffee cake! I sometimes make a double batch by using a 9 x 13 pan and share it with an elderly neighbor. I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday – stay safe and enjoy the season. May 2021 be better for everyone.

    Reply

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