Meredith’s Hospitality Cinnamon Crisps
Have you ever read a book that you just want to jump into, swim around and experience in real life? A book so perfect you don’t think a movie would do it justice? (Though you wouldn’t complain if they made one…just sayin’.)
I had this experience when I (accidentally) read the second book of the Archer brother’s series. After discovering it was the second in the series, I hunted the first book – Short-Straw Bride – and dove in.
I came up for air hours later and reality settled back down upon me. I wasn’t an Archer bride and I didn’t move onto the Archer ranch.
Bummer.
Then, since I loved it so much, I re-read the second book. Because I couldn’t let the last Archer brother not have his say, I read the third book. After that I literally inhaled every book by Karen Witemeyer I could get my hands on. I just really love her stuff. She writes Christian western historical romance. Her style is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s beautiful, funny, poetic, clear, and real. I love it.
“Four brothers. Four straws. One bride.
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a long-standing debt compels her to take the risk.
Years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can’t bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.
Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?”
In Short-Straw Bride, Meredith does all she can to win the hearts and trust of the Archer brothers. When a crotchety, cantankerous old friend comes to call, Meredith whips up a batch of Hospitality Cinnamon Crisps to make his welcome a little more sweet.
I recently won a swag pack from Karen Witemeyer, and included was the very recipe that Meredith made! I went all geek-girl and squealed. You can’t possibly understand how cool this is unless you read the book. (What are you waiting for…go read it! 😉 ) But before you go, take a gander at this recipe.
Meredith's Hospitality Cinnamon Crisps

Ingredients
- Pie Crust
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup shortening, chilled
- 3 TBSP ice water
- Topping
- 2 TBSP melted butter
- 1/c sugar
- 1 TBSP cinnamon
Instructions
- Whisk the flour and salt in a medium bowl
- Cut in the cold shortening until the mixture resemples coarse crumbs.
- Drizzle 2-3 TBSP ice water over the mixture and toss with a fork.
- Add more water, a few drops at a time, until dough comes together.
- Gently gather dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll out dough and cut into strips.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar.
- Brush dough with melted butter, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake at 350 for d0 minutes.
I love this simple and sweet recipe, straight from the pages of one of my all-time favorite books. It’s homey and nostalgic.
These are best when warm. Good luck not inhaling them. They’re amazing. I was literally eating them faster than I could plate them for the pictures. 🙂
I’ve always been impressed with women in days long past. How did they remember all their recipes? How did they manage to get it right every time? How did they manage in a world without internet and (gasp) Pinterest?!
Whip up a batch next time you have company. Or better yet, whip up a batch as you curl up with one of Karen’s books! I highly recommend them all.
What is one of your favorite books? Do you have a favorite hospitality treat?
Oh my goodness, I absolutely love her books! And yes, I have wanted the recipe for the Hospitality cinnamon chips! So awesome!