I’m so excited to share that MUDDLED MATRIMONIAL MURDER is finally here! I’m celebrating with a giveaway and I’ve extended the ebook sale price for another week so don’t miss out. Click on the title to go to Amazon:

MUDDLED MATRIMONIAL MURDER

What it’s about:

With only two weeks left to finalize the arrangements for the nuptial ceremony and reception for Emory Martinez’s best friend, Brad, and a Thanksgiving feast to plan, she has enough to keep her busy. But when Emory and Brad stumble across the body of his former stalker, with a wedding gift marble muddler lying next to the body, it soon becomes apparent someone is intent on framing the groom before vows can be exchanged.

How did the victim locate Brad, and how did she end up being murdered at the scene of the impending nuptials? Was someone so desperate to stop the wedding that they’d resort to murder? Or was she killed for revenge? As the countdown to the wedding speeds by, it’ll take Emory and her family and friends pulling together to pick through the muddled clues to clear the groom’s name.

Recipes included, like the Cranberry Orange Cupcakes with Cranberry Cream Cheese Buttercream I’m sharing today!

To celebrate the release of MUDDLED MATRIMONIAL MURDER, I’m giving away two $10 Amazon gift cards! Please use the Rafflecopter below the recipe. Contest ends June 18, 2023 at 11:59 PST. 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!)

Print

Cranberry Orange Cupcakes with Cranberry Cream Cheese Buttercream

Makes 15.

If you make the sugared cranberries for garnishing, you will need to plan ahead and make them one day prior to serving the cupcakes.

Ingredients

Sugared Cranberries:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries*
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar**

Cupcakes:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• Zest from 1 orange
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, roughly chopped

Cranberry Cream Cheese Buttercream:

• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 tablespoon water
• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
• 5 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Sugared Cranberries:

1. Combine 1 cup sugar and water in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until the sugar is dissolved. Don’t allow the mixture to boil. Otherwise, the cranberries will burst. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Place the cranberries in a bowl and add the simple syrup. Cover bowl and refrigerate overnight.
2. Drain the cranberries and roll them in the superfine sugar, making sure cranberries are thoroughly coated. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow to dry for at least 2 hours.

Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line cupcake tins with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs 1 at a time, mixing until incorporated. Mix in the orange zest.
4. Combine the buttermilk with the orange extract and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup.
5. With mixer on low speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients with the buttermilk, in three increments. Mix until ingredients are incorporated.
6. Fold the cranberries into the batter.
7. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full.
8. Bake 15-18 minutes until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. A few moist crumbs clinging to the skewer is fine.
9. Remove the cupcake tins from the oven and cool for 5 minutes then remove the cupcakes and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Buttercream:

1. In a small saucepan, add the cranberries and water. Cook over medium-low heat until they start to pop and the mixture turns into a jammy sauce. Stir frequently.
2. Remove from heat and using the back of a spoon, mash the cranberries to get a relatively smooth mixture. Refrigerate to cool completely and until ready to use. You can make this a day in advance.
3. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the orange extract and salt. On low speed, mix in half the confectioners’ sugar a little at a time until incorporated into the butter and cream cheese mixture.
4. Add in 1 tablespoon of the cranberry mixture and beat to combine. Add in the remaining confectioners’ sugar. Beat until blended then add in an additional 1 tablespoon of the cranberry mixture. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
5. Using a large star tip, generously pipe the frosting in swooping swirls over the tops of the cupcakes. Garnish with sugared cranberries, if using.
6. If not serving immediately, refrigerate. Allow to come to room temperature an hour before serving.

Notes:

1. *If using frozen cranberries, don’t defrost first. Keep them frozen until ready to add to the recipes.
2. **If you don’t have superfine sugar, whirl regular granulated sugar in a food processor for 20 pulses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Pin to Pinterest:

I’m pleased to announce that I’m participating in another Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour! Follow the
links below for reviews, interviews, and guest blog posts, plus a chance to win a print copy of
MUDDLED MATRIMONIAL MURDER
and a $25 Amazon gift card! 

MUDDLED MATRIMONIAL MURDER TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 12 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

June 12 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 12 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 13 – Indie Author Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 13 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

June 14 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

June 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 15 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

June 15 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

June 16 – The Mystery of Writing – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

June 16 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 18 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

June 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save