Amateur sleuth Sadie Hoffmiller is constantly stumbling upon and solving crimes, but along the way, she also eats--and the readers get to benefit! Each book in Josi Kilpack's culinary mystery series features some of Kilpack's favorite recipes and other foods tied into the setting of the story. Kilpack’s most recent adventure, Rocky Road, is set in Utah and features more than a dozen delectable recipes for Mormon classics like funeral potatoes, strawberry pretzel pie, and fry sauce; favorites from great Utah restaurants (including imitation Cafe Rio pork salads); and others you’ve probably never heard of. This is one of them.

Dream Cookies

½ cup shortening
½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease baking sheet; set aside. In large bowl, beat shortening and butter together with electric mixer 30 seconds at medium to high speed. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined, occasionally scraping sides of bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in flour and cocoa powder. Stir in oats, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by heaping tablespoons or 1-inch scoop 3 inches apart on baking sheet. Flatten dough slightly. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until just set. Let stand 1 minute on baking sheet. Remove to cooling rack. Makes 4 dozen.

You can also read a Q&A with Josi Kilpack or try out more recipes from Josi Kilpack's culinary mysteries here.

Buy Josi Kilpack's newest culinary adventure, Rocky Road, here.