Delicious caramel cupcakes are highlighted in this cozy mystery. I added a Caramello topper to make the cupcakes even more irresistible. Fairy Tale Bakery is home to main characters that will both capture your heart and make you laugh. This fast-paced mystery involves a murder, a bridezilla, and a secret kept since college.
This is book #9 in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. Melanie, Angie, and Tate run a successful bakery in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mel is not just a talented baker, but to the chagrin of her lawyer fiancé, she is also great at solving mysteries.
Caramel Crush by Jenn McKinlay
Rich Caramel Caramello Cupcakes
from a Cozy Mystery Novel
with Recipes
by Jenn McKinlay
Murder Mystery Books
Book Review Outline and Tone:
This whodunit plot is worthy of a Dateline NBC show. An old college friend of Meanie’s, Diane, shows up wanting to call in a favor. Mel has to make break-up cupcakes. Turns out this man was cheating on his fiance with several women including his future mother in law. It is easy to guess what happened to this man. Author Jenn McKinlay does a great job weaving in an interesting story that explains why Mel owed Diane a big favor.
This series is one of my favorites not just because the cupcake recipes are delicious, but each and every character in the series is an interesting person. Mel’s partner in the cupcake bakery, Angie, is engaged and in this book becomes a bridezilla. If they ever make this series into a movie, I hope that they will write in a scene where Angie goes onto Say Yes to the Dress. I can just see the drama unfolding as she tries to choose the perfect dress.
The conclusion of all three plots, the murder mystery, the favor, and the bridezilla all come to an enjoyable conclusion. This book will leave you racing to the kitchen to make cupcakes and to the bookstore to get the next book!
The author: Jenn McKinlay
Jenn McKinlay is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her website not only lists all of her books but has a pretty fascinating bio page. She is a skateboarder, has been in a glider plane, and has lived both on the east coast and in the west. I would tell you more, but I would rather encourage you to check out her website. Jenn McKinlay has an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and her website. Give her a shout out on social media and let her know what you think of her books and dessert recipes.
What is not to like?:
While the conclusion to the murder mystery made sense, I didn’t see it coming. I like mysteries better when I can make educated guesses at the resolution.
The verdict:
The cupcake recipe makes rich, dense, wedding cake-like cupcakes. I was impressed with the recipe! The book is another fun ride with Mel and Angie. This is one of my favorite series. I recommend reading and baking!
Book Club Books Recommendation: Fun book to reminisce about bridezilla experiences.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Caramel Caramello Cupcake Recipe
Assemble the Ingredients
Easy dessert to make: 4/5 on the Easy as Pie scale 🥧🥧🥧🥧
Dessert Recipes 🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line cupcake pan with paper liners. Or as I prefer, use silicone cupcake liners. They are dishwasher safe, never stick to the cupcakes, and of course, oven safe.
Reusable, oven and dishwasher safe comes in many colors.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. I used my Kitchen Aid mixer. I recommend using a stand mixer to get the sugars and butter fluffy.
It is worth it to get the larger stand mixer. This is big enough to handle any recipe and most recipes when doubled!
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat in vanilla.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full. Using a large cookie scoop makes this part of the job easier to do and results in fewer drips on the cookie sheet.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
Makes 12 cupcakes.
Dulce De Leche Icing
Assemble the Ingredients
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on high speed for three minutes, until light and fluffy.
Alternately, mix in powdered sugar and dulce de leche until fully combined.
OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup, Clear/Black
The frosting should be thick and cling to an offset spatula like this.
Spread or pipe on cooled cupcakes.
Garnish with a Caramello square if desired.
So delicious 
Taste: 5 stars! 
Caramel Caramello Cupcakes from Caramel Crush Cozy Mystery Novel
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup milk
Dulce De Leche Frosting
- ½ cup cream cheese (4-ounce package)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup dulce de leche (found with sweetened condensed milk)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
- Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely.
Dulce De Leche Frosting
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on high speed for three minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Alternately, mix in powdered sugar and dulce de leche until fully combined.
- Spread or pipe on cooled cupcakes.
- Garnish with a Caramello square.
What would I do differently next time?
I wonder if adding a square of Caramello to the center of the batter before baking would be good? I would like to try that.
Will I make it again?: Yes! 
The cake part of the cupcake is dense, rich, and moist!
I love cupcakes! Try these delicious cupcakes from Fairy Tale Cupcake Bakery Series.
Salted Caramel Cupcakes from Sugar and Iced by Jenn McKinlay
Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Fig Frosting from Going Going Ganache by Jenn McKinlay
Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes from Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
French Toast Cupcakes from Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay
Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes from Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes from Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay
