Every time I review a book from this series, I like to remind you that this is my favorite cozy mystery series. I love this series because the characters are lively and relatable. The mysteries are always expertly intertwined with the main characters’ lives. In fact all of the characters have interesting lives and love lives. I hope there is no end to this series! The Champagne Cupcakes are dense and delicious!
This is book #10 in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. Melanie, Angie, and Tate have a successful cupcake bakery in Scottsdale, AZ. Their lives and the lives of the supporting characters are as interesting as the strange mysteries. As Angie and Tate’s wedding day approaches, will the hired staff live to see the big event?
Wedding Cake Crumble by Jenn McKinlay
Champagne Cupcakes
from a cozy mystery novel:
Wedding Cake Crumble
by Jenn McKinlay
Book Outline and Tone:
Every time I review a book from this series, I like to remind you that this is my favorite cozy mystery series. I love this series because the characters are lively and relatable. The mysteries are always expertly intertwined with the main characters’ lives. In fact all of the characters have interesting lives and love lives. I hope there is no end to this series!
The time has finally come for Angie and Tate to get married. No more will they/won’t they. No more arguments, misunderstandings, or cold feet. Their wedding day is just a few days away. Then the murders began, that’s murders, plural. People that Angie has hired to help make her day special are being targeted.
Author Jenn McKinlay wraps up the mystery and then the reader gets to enjoy Angie’s wedding. Fans have been waiting for several books for this and McKinlay does not disappoint!
The Best Quote:
“‘Group hug!’…The five of them looped their arms about one another and Mel took a second to look at each of her people. They had been together through so much over the past two-plus years. She couldn’t imagine her life without them, but tomorrow two of them were going to get married and everything would change.”
Point of View:
The book is told in third person with the reader knowing Mel’s thoughts.
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?:
There isn’t much to complain about this romantic mystery. I think the only thing I would have enjoyed more is if the story switched point of view to Angie for the wedding.
The verdict:
The cupcakes! These may be the best ones yet! You simply have to try them. And the novel is so fun, but if you haven’t read the preceding books, read those first so you can really appreciate the wedding.
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).
Champagne Cupcakes
Assemble the Ingredients
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cupcake pan liners. Or even better use these dishwasher safe, reusable, silicone cupcake liners.
Reusable, oven and dishwasher safe comes in many colors.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs and the vanilla.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Good Grips, no slip when mixing. Each bowl has a spout for easy pouring. Dishwasher safe.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the champagne.
It will fizz a bit.
Alternately add the flour mixture and the champagne mixture to the large bowl, mixing until the batter is smooth.
Fill cupcake liners until two-thirds full. Use a cookie scoop to make this job easier and cleaner.
This set has small, medium, and large scoops. Perfect for even cookies or filling cupcake liners.
Bake for 17 to 22 minutes until golden brown.
Makes 12.
Champagne Frosting Assemble the Ingredients
Simmer one cup of champagne in a small saucepan until reduced to two tablespoons.
Allow to cool. In a small bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until thick and creamy.
Add the reduced champagne plus one tablespoon of champagne. Whip together until light and fluffy.
Decorate the cupcakes with the frosting using a pastry bag. Garnish with champagne-colored pearlized sprinkles.
Champagne Cupcakes from cozy mystery novel: Wedding Cake Crumble
Ingredients
Cupcake
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup champagne
Frosting
- 1 cup champagne
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups confectioner's sugar
- 1 Tbsp champagne
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and the vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the champagne. It will fizz a bit.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and the champagne mixture to the large bowl, mixing until the batter is smooth.
- Fill cupcake liners until two-thirds full.
- Bake for 17 to 22 minutes until golden brown.
Frosting
- Simmer one cup of champagne in a small saucepan until reduced to two tablespoons.
- Allow to cool.
- In a small bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners' sugar until thick and creamy.
- Add the reduced champagne plus one tablespoon of champagne.
- Whip together until light and fluffy.
- Decorate the cupcakes with the frosting using a pastry bag. Garnish with champagne-colored pearlized sprinkles.
What would I do differently next time?
Nothing. These are perfection!
Pear Ginger Tea from A Call for Kelp,
Cranberry Mint Black Tea from Tide and Punishment,
