What makes for a bad date? How about a dead body. The owners of Fairy Tale Cupcakes Bakery do more than bake, they also solve mysteries. This mystery hits a little too close to home for Mel’s mom and now Mel has to keep her mom out of trouble with the Law. I recommend you bake some cupcakes and join them in this cozy mystery.
This is book #2 in Jenn McKinlay’s Fairy Tale Cupcake Mystery Series. This story takes place just before Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air. Baking is in the air. Murder is in the air.
Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay
Cozy Mystery Novel with Recipes Book Review
Outline and Tone:
If you have had to live through your mother dating after becoming a widow, then you know it is a difficult situation to observe. I’m watching my mom start to date again it is awkward for me! Mel’s mom has decided that after being a widow for several years, she would finally accept an offer for a date. Mel takes a deep breath, puts her best face on and supports her mom while she shops for the perfect dress for the date. Imagine the worst thing that could happen on a first date in several years. Yep, you guessed it. There is a dead body entwined in the date. Now Mel and Angie have to help Mel’s mom in this time of crisis while keeping Fairytale Cupcake bakery and the cooking class going. Mel and Angie have more going on than just Mel’s mom’s dating life, they are hosting a Valentine’s themed cooking class for couples. One of the delightful elements of this novel is how there are different couples in this class. The friendly couple, the kissing couple and the most entertaining couple, the arguing couple. This cozy mystery has it all!
The author:
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 desserts.
What is not to like?:
I think Mel’s mom is a bit over the top and unbelievable. Sometimes I just shake my head when I read what this character says and does. On the other hand, sometimes it takes an over the top character to show how realistic the other characters are.
The verdict:
This Fairy Tale Cupcake series does not fail to entertain. The characters are likable and relatable, the mysteries are clever, and the dessert recipes are fantastic. As an added bonus, I listened to an audiobook version of the novel and the narrator does a great job with character voices and speed of reading.
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).
Orange Dreamsicle Cupcake Recipe
Assemble the ingredients
Candied orange peels need to be made the day before the cupcakes. See below for that recipe.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Separate the egg yokes from the egg whites. Combine butter, sugar, egg yolks, zest, and orange extract in a large mixing bowl. Cream these ingredients together thoroughly.
The batter is stiff and will need to be scraped down the sides of the bowl. A good sturdy silicone spatula works best.
I am a fan of OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatula, mine is grey, the set comes in 3 colors.
This picture show the flat silicone spatula from the 3 piece set. Also in the picture is the OXO whisk and flipping spatula
Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together in a separate mixing bowl. Add dry ingredients to creamed ingredients a third at a time alternately with the orange juice.
It is worth it to get the larger stand mixer. This is big enough to handle any recipe and most recipes when doubled!
I always like to highlight the OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Beaker Measuring Set.
Not only are they cute, but great to have different sizes for measuring liquid. I used the 1 teaspoon beaker for the orange extract and the half cup beaker for the orange juice. Use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites until stiff.
Fold in the beaten egg whites.
The batter will still be thick, but made a little lighter with the egg whites.
Spoon batter into cupcake liners until half full. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting and garnishing.
Using the OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups is perfect. They are reusable, machine washable, and do not require any nonstick cooking spray.
Reusable, oven and dishwasher safe comes in many colors.
Assemble the ingredients for the buttercream frosting
In a large bowl, cream butter and vanilla extract. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides of bowl often. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
Frost the cupcakes and top with candied orange peel.
What would I do differently next time?
Here comes a true confession. For some of my cupcakes, I overfilled the cups and they spilled out. Only fill the cups halfway full. Also, if you want a more vibrant cupcake, add some orange food coloring paste before you stir in the egg whites.
Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes from: Buttercream Bump Off
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, separated and whites beaten until stiff
- 1 Tbsp orange zest
- 1 tsp orange extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup orange juice
- candied orange peels (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine butter, sugar, egg yolks, zest, and orange extract in a large mixing bowl.
- Cream these ingredients together thoroughly.
- Sift flour, salt, and baking powder together in a separate mixingbowl.
- Add dry ingredients to creamed ingredients a third at a time alternately with the orange juice.
- Fold in the beaten egg whites.
- Spoon batter into cupcake liners until half full.
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar [powdered sugar]
- 2-3 Tbsp milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream butter and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed.
- Scrape sides of bowl often.
- Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
- For best results, keep icing in the refrigerator when not in use. This icing can be stored for up to 2 weeks. Rewhip before using.
How to Make Candied Orange Peel
Believe it or not, it is possible to candy up orange peel and make a sparkly garnish that you can it and will want to eat!
Peel an orange in quarters and cut into thin slices
Prepare a sugar bath with equal parts sugar and water. I did 2 cups sugar and 2 cups of water. This was plenty for the peels of 2 oranges.
Add peels and bring to boil. Boil for 30 minutes.
Strain the peels from the water and immediately toss in more sugar.
Mix the peels with the sugar and then let sit for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, the peels are ready to be eaten and used as a garnish.
If you are a cupcake fan, try these: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes from Pumpkin Spice Peril and Tinkerbells from Sprinkle with Murder
