The book may be named after Devil’s Food cake, but the Cinnamon Sinners Cupcake is the best recipe in this book. High school reunions may not be fun for everyone, and this reunion is no different. When a high school bully is found dead and next to the body is Melanie’s name, Mel and Angie have to kick their investigation into high gear.
This is book #11 in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. Not every series can keep the reader hungry for more, but author Jenn McKinlay does a fantastic job. Solving the mystery may be the primary draw to this book, and a close second would be the personal lives of Mel and Angie.
Dying for Devil’s Food by Jenn McKinlay
Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes
from a cozy mystery novel:
Dying for Devil’s Food
by Jenn McKinlay
Book Outline and Tone:
Raise your hand if you went to one of your high school reunions? I attended one, 20th year reunion. It was fine. People were grown and kinder to each other. My biggest dilemma was recognizing people. On the way back to the town where I graduated high school, I went through my senior yearbook. There were so many names and faces that I didn’t recognize. When I got to the first event everything was nice and I did recognize a few people. Overall, I am fine with my memories of high school and don’t have a need to relive them.
Mel is not interested in attending her reunion. She does not have fond memories of high school, other than the times spent with Angie and Tate. And those 2 friends are a part of her everyday life. So why go to an event to see people she does not like? Mel is steadfast in her decision. That is until Angie points out that making cupcakes for the event would be good for business. So against her better judgement, Mel agrees to attend the event.
While Mel, Angie, and Tate make it through the night unscathed, one classmate is not so lucky. And this classmate is found dead next to the word “Mel” drawn on the wall with lipstick. Once again, Mel is in hot water!
Point of View:
Third person told through Melanie’s perspective.
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?:
I enjoy the interactions and lives of the characters so much that sometimes I wish there was a contemporary fiction novel based on their lives and a mystery would not be needed.
The verdict:
These cupcakes are wonderful. It was my idea to swirl them in the cinnamon sugar. They turned out as pretty as they were tasty!
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).
Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes
Assemble the Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line cupcake pan with paper liners. Or better yet, use silicone cupcake liners They are reusable and dishwasher safe.
Reusable, oven and dishwasher safe comes in many colors.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs and the vanilla.
Alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the large bowl, mixing until the batter is smooth.
Fill paper liners until two-thirds full.
Bake for 17 to 22 minutes until golden brown. Makes 12.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Assemble the Ingredients
Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl until well blended.
Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth.
The original directions say to put frosting in a pastry bag and pipe onto cupcakes in thick swirls, using an open tip. Since I decided to roll the cupcakes in the cinnamon-sugar mix, I just used an off-set spatula to roughly frost the cupcakes. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon to make cinnamon sugar and spread on a flat plate. Roll the side of the frosted cupcake so that the cinnamon sugar mixture coats the edges just above the wrapper. Or as I did, covers all of the frosting in a swirl of cinnamon and sugar.
Cinnamon Swirl Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick butter, softened
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- cinnamon sticks
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 powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the large bowl, mixing until the batter is smooth.
- Fill paper liners until two-thirds full.
- Bake for 17 to 22 minutes until golden brown.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl until well blended.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth.
- Put frosting in a pastry bag and pipe onto cupcakes in thick swirls, using an open tip.Or if you plan to swirl the cupcakes in the cinnamon-sugar, use an off-set spatula to roughly frost the tops.
- Mix together the sugar and cinnamon to make cinnamon sugar and spread on a flat plate.
- Roll the side of the frosted cupcake so that the cinnamon sugar mixture coats the edges just above the wrapper. Top with a cinnamon stick.
What would I do differently next time?
I can’t think of anything I would do differently. I liked the way I rolled the cupcakes in the cinnamon sugar.
Love cupcakes? Here are more great ones to try!
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
