I had so many people tell me that they were craving this brownie sundae after reading my YA novel (TWELVE STEPS) that I had to create the recipe and share it in real life. #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

Giant Brownie Sundae with 6 scoops of cookies & cream ice cream, caramel, hot fudge, whipped cream, and nuts, on a red plate - This giant brownie sundae plays a role in some key scenes of my YA novel, TWELVE STEPS, and made enough readers hungry that I had to create and share the recipe in real life.

I think we can all agree that I am EXCEPTIONALLY good at creating delicious recipes to fit the vibes of my stories. And other people's stories. And turning everything about books into a reason to have dessert. #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections Case in point i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2014/03/twel...

Thanks again for a wonderful #KidLitChat everyone! I'll see you all here next week with plenty of #KidLitConfections treats to share!

So much fun!! I usually have an idea of my main character in my brain when I start. I wish my fingers worked for doodling in that way. (Yes, I know it's a skill I could probably learn if I took the time to work on it--but then when would I bake gourmet #KidLitConfections treats?) #KidLitChat

Yep! I used to invent new pie recipes every Thanksgiving and Pi Day (March 14). Now, I have so many go-to recipes that I don't always invent new recipes for the occasion... but sometimes I invent new recipes in between just because! #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

Lavendar Chamomile Sugar Cookie, topped with a thick layer of Lavendar Fudge, on a white plate

#KidLitChat with a Tea? As in these delicious Lavender Chamomile Cookies? (I'm sure that's the kind of T you were missing there, right?) - Here's the recipe, so you don't lose the Tea again. ;) i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2025/08/lave... #KidLitConfections

Cover of IT'S YOU EVERY TIME by Charlene Thomas

6 Croissant Cookies on a green and brown plate, on a countertop

Speaking of delicious desserts that pair with great books... Last weekend, I made some Croissant Cookies to pair with IT'S YOU EVERY TIME by @cthomasbooks.bsky.social - I promise I'm going to write up the recipe and share it soon!! #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

It's probably too niche for me to suggest a week when we all talk about the delicious desserts that pair well with our favorite current books to read, right? ;) #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

I realized when searching for the picture that I haven't shared this recipe yet. I need to find the perfect book to share it with for #KidLitConfections, because it's too delicious to keep secret. #KidLitChat

My favorite fun fact about these cookies: Because I was making them for a St. Patrick's Day conference (not the theme of the conference, just the date it happened), I made them with potato flour. Which gave them a very light, melt-in-your-mouth texture. #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

Boston Cream Pie... as a pie!

Boston Cream Pie... as a pie! - 3/4 of the pie in a pie plate on a wooden table. You can see the chocolate and custard layers (which swirled together a bit when the pie was cut.

Boston Cream Pie... as a pie! - top-down view of the pie, with half the slices missing, in a pie plate on a wooden table.

Boston Cream Pie... as a pie! - close-up of the cut pie in a pie plate on a wooden table. You can see the chocolate and custard layers (which swirled together a bit when the pie was cut.

Oh!!! I apologize for my oversight. Here is the promised pie for tonight. (For Pi Day this year, I had to make a Boston Cream Pie-inspired pie... because it always hurt my brain that the dessert with that name is a very delicious cake.) #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

3 Mint Chocolate Chip cookies and 3 regular Chocolate Chip cookies on a white plate with a green rim.

Back when I used to go to in-person conferences more, I had a deadline for perfecting recipes. Because I would show up at the conference with containers of cookies for my friends to try. Like the Mint Chocolate Chip cookies for a conference on a March 17th weekend. #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

Yeah, I started out with the chocolate version and expanded from there. I do love experimenting with different flavors in desserts that I already enjoy making. #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

In case you want it, here's the recipe for the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Mousse pie: i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2025/12/pean... #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse pie - chocolate crust with peanut butter mousse, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream

One of the boldest things I've done in my writing life (not specifically in writing the actual manuscripts)... was joining #KidLitChat and declaring myself the Official Refreshments Chair for the chat until everyone just accepted it and let me share #KidLitConfections every week. :)

Giant Brownie Sundae on a red plate - with 6 scoops of cookies & cream ice cream, caramel, hot fudge, whipped cream, and nuts

Another bold move I make when writing my manuscripts: I create delicious recipes so that I can eat the things my characters are eating in the story. :) This Giant Brownie Sundae was featured in my YA novel, TWELVE STEPS. i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2014/03/twel... #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

Thanks again for an amazing #KidLitChat @bonnieadamson.com & @gregpincus.bsky.social ... and everyone else who participated! Put in your requests now for what treats you want me to share next week! *fingers crossed* I'm going to try to get an actual #KidLitConfections post written & posted by then!

Oooh! That reminds me!! I have a cookie recipe that I haven't shared yet that is titled "M-M-M-M Cookies" (brown sugar cookie w/ toffee & chocolate) both because they're delicious and because they were created for a group of friends who all share the first initial M :) #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

I have 3 different books to pair the Happy Cookies with. I was trying to decide which one to highlight for the #KidLitConfections post... but this morning at the gym, I remembered that I started this series with 3 different books all related to one recipe. Why can't I do that again? :) #KidLitChat

white plate with a pink and green floral border, holding three S'mores Cookies - a graham-inspired gluten free cookie base filled with melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows

3 rows of Happy Face Sugar Cookies on a white plate with a multi-colored floral border. The two outer rows of cookies are dusted with a cocoa powder and powdered sugar mixture, while the middle row contains plain, unadorned smiley-face sugar cookies.

Dark Chocolate Cream Pie with a Rice Krispies Treat crust, in a glass pie plate on a granite countertop

Boston Cream Pie Cookies - a soft shortbread cookie, topped with a rich, vanilla custard and a drizzle of dark chocolate - on a parchment-lined baking sheet

I haven't been great about keeping up with my #KidLitConfections posts in all this, but I do have several recipes on tap to share, and I've promised myself that I'm getting back into the rhythm with that this month. Here are some of the treats I'm prepping to share soon!! #KidLitChat

I'm getting virtual treats ready for #KidLitChat tonight (in 2 minutes!!) Who else will be there? #KidLitConfections

Thank you all for another amazing #KidLitChat full of reasons to celebrate! See y'all next week! I'll bring some new #KidLitConfections treats!

Other than the #KidLitConfections I'm always celebrating ;) ... I am also celebrating the fact that I've been writing a lot more this year! I challenged myself to write a messy PB draft every day in January. My therapist challenged me to extend it to every day in 2026. I'm getting there! #KidLitChat

As soon as I find a book to pair it with and get the post written, the recipe will be up on my website, along with all of the other #KidLitConfections recipes. :) It just takes me a bit sometimes to find the right book and cookie pairing! vbartles.com/kidlitconfec... #KidLitChat

I haven't tried that one. I have tried a few of their baking mixes, which were delicious, but the grocery stores around me don't stock the flour blend. #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections

Close-up of a Fig and Pistachio Cookie on a parchment-lined baking sheet, fresh out of the oven

parchment-lined baking sheet filled with Fig and Pistachio Cookies, fresh out of the oven

I also love pistachio anything. :) In fact, I have another recipe: Pistachio Fig Cookies in the lineup for one of my upcoming #KidLitConfections posts. I found a beautiful, touching picture book that fits the recipe wonderfully, and I'm excited to share it soon! #KidLitChat

Sorry to hear about the meltdown, Veronica. Glad you're feeling better this week. And hurray for your delicious #KidLitConfections!!! #KidLitChat

Giant Pistachio Chocolate Chip cookie on a white plate with a pink and green floral border

Giant Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookie, broken in half to show the interior crumb, on a white plate with a pink floral border

It snowed yesterday and I felt like baking (when do I not feel like baking??), so I made some absolutely delicious Pistachio Chocolate Chip cookies to share! #KidLitChat I haven't paired them with a book for #KidLitConfections yet. Any suggestions?

Sorry I missed #KidLitChat last week, all! I had a major meltdown when my OCD brain was triggered... and just went to bed at 7pm. I'm feeling much better this week & ready to share delicious #KidLitConfections treats with y'all!

Books nourish our souls. Food nourishes our bodies and spirits. It makes sense that we would enjoy them together! Besides, you all know my theory that a good story is constructed much like a good dessert recipe... #KidLitChat #KidLitConfections