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How to Tuesday: Fiction-Flavored Lollipops and How to Make Them

Lollipop: a sweet, nearly magical candy on a stick. It used to be you could get at the bank just for using their services, or for being good at the doctor or dentists office (though this was probably a sly plan to encourage repeat business).

But now that you're a full-grown geek it's time to learn how to make your own lollies, and more important still, how to flavor them to match your favorite fandoms.

Gather your materials.

Posted by Margaret Dunham

Quirk Perks: Get POPS! for Only $3.99 This Month!

POPS! by Krystina Castella

KINDLE / NOOK / KOBO / IBOOKSTORE

Posted by Eric Smith

How-To Tuesday: Making Unique Donuts With the Internet

Photo via Climbing Grier Mountain

Whether you spell it donuts or doughnuts, you cannot deny the joy that stuffing a deep-fried ring of happiness in your face can bring.

We have plenty of options if we’re jonesing for a quick glazed donut from Krispy Kreme or a chocolate frosted treat from Dunkin Donuts, but what if we want something more adventurous? And then what if we take it one step further and want to even make the donuts ourselves? Look no further! The interwebz has plenty of places to find easy recipes for unique flavors that will spice up the donut game.

Use the links for each creation to find the recipes and get bakin’!

1. Baked Donuts with Chocolate Glaze and PopcornPopcorn? On a donut? …How did no one think of this sooner? This salty and sweet combination will surely satisfy your sweet tooth and it only takes about 20 minutes to bake so really, what’s your excuse?

2. Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwiches with Salted Maple Ice Cream and CaramelWhat’s better than eating two doughnuts? Eating two doughnuts with ice cream sandwiched in between them! It’s a known fact that ice cream makes everything better so why not scoop some onto your doughnut? This recipe requires a few more steps but just think of the end results!

3. Strawberry Cheesecake DonutsStrawberry cheesecake is a classic dessert, and this donut gives you the chance to eat dessert for breakfast without feeling guilty about eating cake so early in the day. It has a warm strawberry center with a graham cracker coating and is sure to add a little sweetness to your morning!

4. Peanut Butter and Jelly DoughnutsPB&J is the classic food love story. They go together like grilled cheese and tomato soup. So why not make a donut out of this timeless combination? Though the cook time total can seem a little daunting, putting in the time for what is sure to be an explosion of doughy peanut buttery happiness is totally worth it, right?

Photo via Julies Eats and Treats

5. Baked Toasted Coconut Red Velvet DonutsFollowing the trend of baked donuts for those who may not have the time or supplies for a full-fledged frying experience comes the Baked Toasted Coconut Red Velvet Donuts. Even though they’re baked, they’re no less delicious and with a classic, savory cream cheese frosting to boot!

6. Baked Guinness Donuts & Irish Cream GlazeDid that flavor catch your eye? For the boozier experience, try this creamy-looking Guinness-infused donut that will most definitely complement your morning cup of coffee.

7. Spiced Baked Doughnuts with Nacho Chili Cheese: Who said all donuts had to be sweet and savory? Cut the sprinkles and throw on some chili instead. Adding nacho chili cheese to a donut is definitely an adventurous way to expose your tastebuds to new culinary horizons and adds some kick.

Posted by Marissa Stern

How-to Tuesday: Literary Monkey Bread Variations

Photo via Gimme Some Oven
 
Monkey bread! You’d be bananas not to love it—oh yes, I went there. 
 
If you have opposable thumbs, you can make monkey bread. So why not make an extra-special batch (or three) and dedicate it to your favorite literary primate?
 
All you need are the basic 4 ingredients (biscuit dough, butter, sugar, and plastic bags), plus a couple add-ins to make your Bookish Monkey Bread.

Posted by Suzanne Wallace

Quirk Books Heads to Book Expo America, Brings Swag, Authors, & High Fives

 
Wow, is it seriously almost time for BEA? Weren't we just at C2E2 in Chicago? Where does the time go? 
 
Next week, the Quirk Books crew are packing up shop and heading up to New York City for Book Expo America, and we couldn't be more excited. We've got some awesome new books to show off, some authors for you to meet, and a TON of giveaways. Because hey, we like you. We want to give you stuff. 
 
Giveaways include posters for How to Make Your Baby an Internet Celebrity, Jane Austen: Cover to Cover, and Kid Presidents. And of course, we will have the coveted Quirk totebags with us. Get ready, they are a lot of fun this year. 
 
We'll be setting up at Booth #2848. Come by, say hello, take some swag! And as for the schedule for signings and events, well, here you go!

Posted by Eric Smith

How-To Tuesday: Game of Thrones Inspired Treats

Via Inn at the Crossroads

Game of Thrones is baaaaaack! Season 4 premiered on Sunday and we’re all atwitter. Winter is coming, guys.

If you’ve read the books, you already know that some crazy stuff is gonna go down this season. Gather your friends (you’ll need emotional support handy in case your favorite character dies), scrounge up some edibles, and make a party of it! Because the only things better than watching GoT is eating while watching GoT.

When it comes to making Game of Thrones-inspired treats, the snack dragon has three heads. Choose your preferred approach to being a Westeros chef.

Posted by Suzanne Wallace