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Black Forest Cupcakes

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WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE, the tenth book in the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries by Jenn McKinlay is a delightful addition to her very entertaining series! I’ve been waiting on pins and needles from her release last year to find out what new escapades protagonist, Mel (Melanie) Cooper and her best friend, Angie DeLaura find themselves in. Ms. McKinlay does not disappoint and I was glued to the pages, even forgetting to take notes for my review! The story picks up with Angie getting ready to marry their friend, Tate, who is also co-owner of their Fairy Tale Cupcake Shop in Scottsdale, Arizona. But of course the wedding plans aren’t going smoothly, especially when the two women find Angie’s photographer murdered seven days before the wedding.

As Mel and Angie start looking into the murder (because they just can’t help themselves) the author throws in several twists. Could it be that Angie is actually the target? I love the cast of characters working at Fairy Tale Cupcake, especially octogenarian Marty. Mel and Angie have taken him in and made him one of “their people”. The friendship between Mel, Angie, Tate and the crew is admirable and heartwarming, bringing a sentimental note to the story. As the plot progresses many suspects come to light while the body count starts rising and more twists are thrown in. The ending wraps up the threads nicely while leaving the reader waiting to see what new adventure awaits the gang at the Fairy Tale Cupcake Shop!

Reading about the cupcake shop will leave you craving some sweet treats. Luckily for the reader, Ms. McKinlay provides several delectable cupcake recipes at the back of the book. All sound amazing and it was very difficult to choose just one to try for this blog post. In the end I decided on Black Forest Cupcakes, which Jenn has graciously allowed me to share with you. The rich, dark chocolate cupcakes are supremely moist but the surprise is the cherry filling hiding beneath mounds of fluffy vanilla buttercream. One bite and you’ll think you’ve stepped foot into the delightfully yummy Fairy Tale Cupcake Shop!   

Amazon Synopsis

With Angie and Tate’s wedding just around the corner, it’s a happy time for Melanie Cooper and the bakery crew. Not only are they finessing the last minute details of the big day, but their bakery, Fairy Tale Cupcakes, has just been hired to bake cupcakes for the blockbuster book signing of a controversial author who wrote a steamy bestseller filled with juicy local gossip.

But one by one, the people Angie has hired to work at the wedding begin turning up dead. As the body count rises, the bestselling author is the next to bite the dust. Mel quickly realizes she needs to figure out how the murders are connected and why–before the killer brings the entire cupcake crew crumbling down. After all, Angie and Tate deserve their sweet happily ever after.

 

 

A special thanks to Jenn McKinlay for providing a print copy of WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE plus fun measuring spoons for one lucky winner. Contest is limited to U.S. residents only and ends Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!) 

 

 

 

 Black Forest Cupcakes are rich, dark chocolate cupcakes and are supremely moist. But the surprise is the cherry filling hiding beneath mounds of fluffy vanilla buttercream that puts the flavor of these treats over the top!

 

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Black Forest Cupcakes

A rich chocolate cupcake with cherry filling and vanilla cream frosting.

Ingredients
Cupcakes
  • 1-1/3 cups flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teapoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk
Filling
  • 1 can cherry pie filling
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
  • 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
Garnish
  • Chocolate shavings
  • 12 fresh cherries with stems (if unavailable substitute maraschino cherries)
Instructions
Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line cupcake pan with paper liners.

  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.

  3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, adding eggs one at a time. Mix in the vanilla.

  4. Add in the flour mixture alternately with the milk until well blended.

  5. Fill paper liners two-thirds full. Bake 18 - 22 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool completely.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and vanilla. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed and adding milk as needed. Scrape sides of bowl often. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Makes 3 cups of icing.

Assembling the cupcakes

  1. Using a melon baller, scoop out the center of the cooled cupcakes no more than halfway down. Spoon in the cherry pie filling. Using a pastry bag, pipe the vanilla buttercream over the top of the cupcake. Garnish with chocolate shavings and a fresh cherry on top. 

Notes

Makes 12 cupcakes. 

 Black Forest Cupcakes are rich, dark chocolate cupcakes and are supremely moist. But the surprise is the cherry filling hiding beneath mounds of fluffy vanilla buttercream that puts the flavor of these treats over the top!

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

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 Black Forest Cupcakes are rich, dark chocolate cupcakes and are supremely moist. But the surprise is the cherry filling hiding beneath mounds of fluffy vanilla buttercream that puts the flavor of these treats over the top!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

 

I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

 

Black Forest Cupcakes are rich, dark chocolate cupcakes and are supremely moist. But the surprise is the cherry filling hiding beneath mounds of fluffy vanilla buttercream that puts the flavor of these treats over the top!

85 thoughts on “Black Forest Cupcakes”

  4. Oh, I love black forest cake and had not considered what fun they might be as a cupcake. I have never visited Ariona, so definitely not been to Scottsdale.

    Reply

  9. Those cupcakes sound good minus the cherry part! I think I went to Scottsdale when I was in college. Some friends and I took a road trip from FL to CA and back in nine days, and we stopped by the Grand Canyon on the way home. After that we went to a nearby city that I think was Scottsdale, but it’s been 17 years ago, so it might have been somewhere else. We went bowling and to a mall and had a lot of fun.

    Reply

  10. I’ve never been to Arizona. My travels are very limited, although as I get older I’d much rather spend my money and time on things like that than actual things.

    Reply

  11. Yes, my husband and I have been to Scottsdale many times. It is one of our favorite places es, but we haven’t been in quite a few years. Have many fond memories of our trips there.

    Reply

  17. I have never been to Arizona,I hate heat and humidity..Yes I know”it’s a dry heat” lol. still too hot for me. Thank you for this chance.

    Reply

  19. Yes, I’ve been to Scottsdale. It’s a beautiful place. I love AZ. esp. in the winter! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

    Reply

  22. I’ve never been to Arizona, but I would love to visit one day. I love this series by Jenn and can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for the delicious recipe.

    Reply

  23. I have been to Arizona though not for many many years. I don’t think I’ve been to Scottsdale AZ but I would like to for the annual Arabian horse show.

    Reply

  25. I have only been there in books! The cupcakes look delicious–that is a favorite flavor combo around here! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  27. I haven’t been to Scottsdale, Arizona but I took online culinary classes that were based from there. I can’t wait until I get my oven fixed so I can try this recipe.

    Reply

  28. No, I have not. I haven’t been to a whole many places, actually, ha ha. I have visited the combo of chocolate and cherry, though… yum.

    Reply

  31. I’ve never been there that I can remember, not opposed to going though. Going to try these out this week!

    Reply

  33. I’m originally from Southern Ca. I’ve been to Arizona many times over the years…and looking back, I realized I’ve only been to Scottsdale once! I love the beautiful Oak Creek Canyon area. Next trip to west coast, I’m going to plan a trip to Scottsdale!

    Reply

  34. I have been to Scottsdale, Arizona but it was more of a drive through than a visit. When I was a kid and my Dad was in the Army, we were stationed in CA and our relatives and summer vacations were in OK, TX and AR so I’ve driven through it a few times. As an adult, I’ve been back to Arizona but more to the south of Scottsdale around Tombstone area.

    Reply

  37. We actually visited Scottsdale last fall. We went on a bus tour to Sedona, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Las Vegas that started off in Scottsdale. We didn’t really have a lot of time to look around there, so would love to go back and see Old Town Scottsdale, Butterfly Wonderland, etc.

    Reply

  52. I’ve been to the Phoenix area multiple times, but don’t think I’ve ever been to Scottsdale specifically.

    Reply

  55. I’ve never been to Scottsdale, but I’ve been to Phoenix several times. I love it out there, especially the low humidity (being from an area of very high humidity!). Seriously, it’s a beautiful area and so much to see and do.

    Reply

  56. I’ve never been to Arizona but maybe someday we will make the trip in our RV. Also want to go to CA to visit my family there. Never been there either. Those cupcakes look almost too good to eat. Almost!! Thank you for this generous chance.

    Reply

  57. Not sure but I think we went once to buy a car. Car was totaled after we got it home to TX. No wonder I can’t remember! LOL

    Reply

  58. I’ve never been to Scottsdale but I have been to Phoenix, Sedona and Flagstaff, roadtripping across the US! Beautiful there!
    Ps. That cake: drool!

    Reply

  60. i have never been there but it is on my bucket list…..i would like to visit some of the historical venues

    Reply

  62. I’ve never been to Scottsdale Arizona, as a matter of fact I’ve never been to Arizona but I would love to one day.

    Reply

  63. No, I’ve never visited Scottsdale, Arizona. Hubby and I have driven through the state of Arizona several times. My folks lived in New Mexico, his in California. When we were stationed in CA we would travel to NM; when we were stationed in NM, we drove to CA.

    Reply

  72. I have never been to Arizona but always wanted to. Thank you so much for the giveaway and the fantastic recipe.

    Reply

  75. We lived in Arizona for eight years. I loved the people and the few short months of winter. I love to go back and visit. The heat can be difficult, and the sunsets beautiful.
    I can’t wait to try this recipe. Black Forest is one of my favorites. I’m thinking of a vanilla meringue frosting then adding a sweet cherry to the top.

    Reply

  78. I’ve been to Phoenix and Tucson and places between but never to Scottsdale. Maybe on our next trip?

    Reply

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