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Hoppy Cupcakes

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I am so excited to be helping Ellie Alexander celebrate the release of DEATH ON TAP, the first book in her brand new Sloan Krause Mystery series! All I can say is, oh my, what an opening line… I loved it!! Sloan has a unique voice, a bit edgy at times and is often humorous. Being raised in the foster system has given her the feeling of being an outsider and maybe not quite fitting in. With the collapse of Sloan’s marriage, even though her mother-in-law and father-in-law are the only parents she’s ever had, she still feels like she doesn’t belong in the family any longer. At times her doubt about her self-worth to the family made me feel emotional and once or twice I got a bit teary. Sloan is the type of protagonist the reader wants to cheer for. I also liked that she is also a mom to a teenaged son. This gives added dimension to her character along with unique challenges to working full-time and trying to solve a crime.

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The town of Leavenworth is a quaint Bavarian-themed setting, perfect for the backdrop of murder by drowning in a brew tank. When suspicion falls on both Sloan’s cheating husband and her new boss, she realizes she needs to find some answers that will clear them both. Okay, she may have considered letting her husband take the blame, but for the sake of their son, decided he needed to be proven innocent. The murder mystery is woven around the theme of beer and I enjoyed the bits and pieces provided about the brewing process. I loved some of the very clever names the author provides for the various brews and wish I could sample some of Sloan’s concoctions! DEATH ON TAP is strong on character development and letting the reader get to know the town and area. I think it’s a good set up for future books in the series. There is also a mystery thread pertaining to Sloan’s life before the foster system that I believe will run through the subsequent books and I look forward to reading future books in this series!

While the book doesn’t contain recipes there are many dishes mentioned that use a variety of beers. Fortunately for us, Ellie loves to create in the kitchen and she came up with a recipe for Hoppy Cupcakes! With the unexpected addition of citrus IPA, these moist orange and lime flavored cupcakes are topped with decadent cream cheese frosting… which is one of the best frostings I’ve ever had! The cupcakes are delicious and my husband’s golf buddies devoured them, but across the board it was the frosting that stole the show. The next time I make Hoppy Cupcakes I might just add some additional powdered sugar to the frosting along with a tablespoon of the citrus IPA to add a bit more hoppy flavor. Either way, these were a hit! 

Amazon Synopsis

When Sloan Krause walks in on her husband, Mac, screwing the barmaid, she gives him the boot. Sloan has spent her life in Leavenworth, Washington becoming an expert in brewing craft beer, and she doesn’t have time to be held back by her soon-to-be ex-husband. She decides to strike out on her own, breaking away from the Krause family brewery, and goes to work for Nitro, the hip new nano-brewery in the Bavarian-themed town. Nitro’s owner, brewmaster Garrett Strong, has the brew-world abuzz with his newest recipe, “Pucker-Up IPA.” This place is the new cool place in town, and Mac can’t help but be green with envy at their success.

But just as Sloan is settling in to her new gig, she finds one of Nitro’s competitors dead in the fermenting tub, clutching the secret recipe for the IPA. When Mac, is arrested, Sloan knows that her ex might be a cheater, but a murderer? No way. Danger is brewing in Beervaria and suddenly Sloan is on the case.

 

 

 

Thanks to the publisher, Minotaur Books, I have a hardcover copy of DEATH ON TAP for one lucky winner! Contest ends Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is open to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe 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!) 

 

 

 

With the unexpected addition of citrus IPA, these decadent cream cheese frosting topped Hoppy Cupcakes have a refreshing orange & lime flavor!

Print
Hoppy Cupcakes

Recipe yields 24 cupcakes.

Ingredients
Hoppy Cupcakes:
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2-1/2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla
  • One orange—grate peel into batter and squeeze in a tablespoon of juice. Reserve remaining juice for frosting
  • 1/2 cup citrus IPA
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
Citrus cream cheese frosting:
  • 12 ounces cream cheese
  • 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon each freshly squeezed orange and lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon each orange and lime zest
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Hoppy Cupcakes:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners. 

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 

  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. 

  4. Add eggs, beating after each addition then add the vanilla and zest. 

  5. Combine sour cream and beer and alternatively add this mixture and the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture with the mixer on low speed, starting and ending with the flour.

  6. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean. 

  7. When cupcakes are done, poke holes in the tops of the cupcakes with toothpicks or a fork and brush some beer on each while still warm.

Citrus cream cheese frosting:

  1. Cream together the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.

  2. Add the citrus juice and zest and gradually add the powdered sugar until well-combined.

  3. Beat until smooth for about 2 minutes. 

  4. Load frosting in a piping bag fit with a large star tip and pipe cupcake tops once cooled.

 With the unexpected addition of citrus IPA, these decadent cream cheese frosting topped Hoppy Cupcakes have a refreshing orange & lime flavor!

 

 

 

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 With the unexpected addition of citrus IPA, these decadent cream cheese frosting topped Hoppy Cupcakes have a refreshing orange & lime flavor!

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 I was provided a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

With the unexpected addition of citrus IPA, these decadent cream cheese frosting topped Hoppy Cupcakes have a refreshing orange & lime flavor!

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70 thoughts on “Hoppy Cupcakes”

  1. There’s an Oktober Fest celebration not too far from where I live but for some reason I never think to make plans to attend… even though I’m sure I’d find it interesting and fun!

  2. They have one fairly near us too, held in mid September and I’ve always wanted to be a vendor there with my doll clothes. Maybe someday, it sounds tons of fun!

  6. When my husband and I were dating we attended the Octoberfest that was held at our local fairgrounds. The smells of the food drew us in and the entertainment was very fun. It is definitely a time of fun and celebration for those who attend.

  8. OOOOOH, YUMMM! and I don’t like beer, but I’ll have to share this recipe with my daughter who does!
    She loves to bake. CONGRATS, Ellie, on your new series!!!

  9. YUMMMMMM! And I don’t even LIKE beer! But I’ll share this recipe with my daughter, who does. CONGRATS on your new series, Ellie!!

  10. My town recently put on its 10th annual Oktoberfest. Every year it gets bigger and is a lot of fun. Of course, my favorite part is the food.

  13. I’ve never been to Oktoberfest but would love to go one time. The cupcake recipe sounds delicious!

  14. I’m sure I’ve been to Oktoberfest at some point but not as an adult or even as a kid that I remember. We have a small town close to us that has a huge Oktoberfest celebration every year, Mt. Angel, OR, but I’ve not been. I’m so excited for this book release! I love Ellie and everything she writes!!! Happy Book Birthday!!!

  15. When I was younger, our parents took us to Busch Gardens in Virginia for vacation. We celebrated Oktoberfest every time we were there.

    I also celebrated Oktoberfest in Epcot Center at the Germany pavilion when I worked for Disney. It’s so much fun! I love the dancing and singing!

  17. I am in a family of beer lovers. Funny how I have only experienced Oktoberfest once, but I loved the experience and the food. I have never come across a cupcake with beer as an ingredient and can’t wait to try this recipe. This books sounds like a fun read.

  18. There are many Octoberfests in Pennsylvania where I live, but just the other day I attended one in Cape May, New Jersey.

  21. I would imagine a seasonal IPA would be great with these cupcakes! We go to Oktoberfest here in Salt Lake, but are sadly finding some changes that are a little off-putting. I love the holiday season when we get to try new flavors. I’m usually an oatmeal stout girl, but I like to venture out once in a while.

  22. In Germany, I went to what seemed like an Oktoberfest celebration, even though it was in June…Ein bier, bitte ~

  32. I’ve been to some Oktoberfest celebrations–I go for the food and other attractions, though, because I hate beer!

  38. I have never been to an Oktober Fest celebration. However, we moved this year and they do have them in the area we are in now. I can’t wait to go to one!

  39. I’ve gone to craft fairs in October but not an October fest. But I’m sure I would enjoy one if I did go!

  40. I’ve not been to an “official” Octoberfest celebration. This book sounds VERY intriguing and the recipe sounds SCRUMPTIOUS! I will need to track down some citrus IPA at the store!

  43. I haven’t been to any Oktoberfests, but I did study German in school and we have a German-American Festival here in Toledo in August. We sometimes went there years ago. I don’t drink.

  44. In the small area I live in we have sorghum festivals and fall festivals that we attend.but no October fest.But the ones we go to are fun.They make applebutter and have crafts and delicious food and music

  45. Many years ago, we did go to a real Octoberfest in Germany. But, no, we do not generally go to the Octoberfests here in the States. Hubby & I like white wine, but I think beer is yucky. And neither of us like the crowds.

  48. There is an Octoberfest held by the German society in my area every year. I went a few years ago and got some great German food and wine! Saw some German dancing too. FUN!!!

  50. I’ve never really been to a offical October Fest celebration, but this is a crazy month for us. My birthday is the 11th, my husband’s is the 18th and our wedding anniversary is the 16th… and our son’s birthday is on Halloween! 🙂 Thanks for the chance.

    • Congrats on your anniversary and happy birthday to you and your family! Sounds like lots of celebrations are ahead of you!

  56. I’ve never been a beer drinker and therefore have never gone to an Oktoberfest celebration. I’d have to bring my own refreshments I guess, I enjoyed reading a summary of what the book is about. I’m interested in finding out the possess for making beer. Also, thank you for the recipe for the Hoppy Cupcakes. I’ll have to try making them this month. If I knew festival goers I could make them for the festival,

  63. I would love to go but our car won’t make it that far as we have no reverse and my husband doen’t want to risk it with my scooter and getting us to a safe place. Maybe one day when we get another car! Would love to read and review! So happy it is a print copy

  67. “Do you go or have you been to Oktober Fest celebrations?” I’ve only seen them in James Bond films.

  68. We have an Oktober Fest in the small town where I live. But, it’s not what a real Oktober Fest should be.

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