Desserts

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie, Spiced Maple Bourbon Cocktail, and The Good Sister

October 20, 2025
editor
The pairing of "The Good Sister" by Sally Hepworth with the Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie and a Spiced Maple Bourbon Cocktail creates a comfortingly indulgent experience. The novel's exploration of complex relationships and family secrets pairs well with the rich flavors of the pie, offering a delightful symphony of suspense and sweetness. The cocktail's warm spices and maple notes echo the dessert's seasonal flavors, enhancing the immersive reading experience. Together, they provide a cozy and contemplative evening of mystery, flavor, and warmth.
Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 1 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought), unbaked

For the Cream Cheese Layer:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Pumpkin Layer:

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup evaporated milk

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, trimming and crimping the edges as desired.

Make the Cream Cheese Layer:

  • In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the pie crust.

Make the Pumpkin Layer:

  • In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, eggs, and evaporated milk until smooth and well combined.

Layer the Pie:

  • Gently pour the pumpkin mixture over the cream cheese layer in the pie crust, making sure to cover it evenly.

Bake the Pie:

  • Place the pie on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the pumpkin layer is set and the center slightly jiggles when the pie is moved. If the crust begins to brown too quickly, cover the edges with foil.

Cool and Serve:

  • Let the pie cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. For an extra touch, top with whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

The Good Sister

The Good Sister

Twin sisters Rose and Fern share a close bond, working and living together, yet each harbors secrets. While Rose seemingly has her life under control, Fern, who struggles with sensory sensitivity and a complex past, decides to do something that might benefit both of them—have a baby for Rose. When things take a turn, Fern must confront deeper truths about herself and her family that challenge everything she believes.
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "A stunningly clever thriller made doubly suspenseful by not one, but two unreliable narrators." — People Sally Hepworth, the author of The Mother-In-Law delivers a knock-out of a novel about the lies that bind two sisters in The Good Sister. There's only been one time that Rose couldn't stop me from doing the wrong thing and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be…dangerous. When Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. Simple. Fern's mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets from the past, in this quirky, rich and shocking story of what families keep hidden.

Discussion Questions

  • Discuss the role of empathy in Fern's character and how it evolves throughout the novel.
  • How does the author portray the complexities of sibling relationships?
  • Examine the theme of trust in the novel. What impact does it have on the characters' decisions?
  • How do sensory experiences shape Fern's worldview, and what does this add to the narrative?
  • Consider the portrayal of mental health issues in the book. How are they addressed?
  • Evaluate Rose's motivations for the actions she takes throughout the story. Do they evolve?
  • How does the novel explore the idea of family expectations versus individual desires?
  • Discuss how the alternating perspectives enhance or detract from your understanding of the plot.
  • Analyze the significance of the library as a setting in Fern's life.
  • What impact do the novel's twists have on your perception of the characters?
Authors: Sally Hepworth
ISBN: 9781250120953
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published Date: 2021-04-13

Spiced Maple Bourbon Cocktail

Spiced Maple Bourbon Cocktail
A cozy autumn cocktail that pairs excellently with rich desserts, featuring warm spices and maple flavors to enhance every sip. Perfect for sipping while diving into a mysterious novel like "The Good Sister."

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

Spice Mix:

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg

Garnish:

  • Cinnamon stick
  • Orange peel

Instructions

For the Cocktail:

  • Combine bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, and spices in a shaker with ice.
  • Shake well until chilled.
  • Strain into a rocks glass over ice.

To Garnish:

  • Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an orange peel for added aroma and flavor.