Hey all you Hallmarkies out there! Are you ready for the first “Fall Harvest 2018” movie, Truly, Madly, Sweetly?” I know I am. Hello, my name is Debbie and I am a Hallmark Channel movie junkie..
Isn’t life a little crazy right now? Wouldn’t you enjoy a relaxing escape for a couple hours every Saturday night? Who wouldn’t, right? A cutesy, silly, fun, harmless, family Hallmark movie is the way to go. The extreme popularity of Hallmark movies has been written about endlessly, so there must be something to it. Viewers of all ages love Hallmark movies. And I have a true story about that.
The following scenario took place recently on a New York City subway. My daughter Kristina was on the subway sitting across from a big, burly guy wearing a baseball cap, shorts, and tee-shirt, and looking like a nose tackle for the Giants or Jets. Talking completely serious to his buddy next to him with his thick Brooklyn accent, he starts explaining something to him. “Hey, here’s the deal,” he says. “Man, all you need is a Saturday night, a bucket of popcorn, and a Hallmark movie. You eat your popcorn and nobody dies!” It took everything Kristina had not to burst out laughing!
So let’s get down to business. Since I never miss a Hallmark movie, it’s easy to notice how much food is in all of them. They must have a great food stylist because it always looks good. I thought I would try to figure out by either the title or the trailer what food might be included in each movie and have a recipe and photo to share. The first movie, Truly, Madly, Sweetly was easy because the character has a cupcake truck. Cupcakes it is, and since it’s Fall, I offer you “Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting.”
The buttermilk and brown sugar cupcakes have aromatic spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. The buttery frosting has more cinnamon and a little vanilla. Perfect for snacking while watching the movie, which is about a woman who has the cupcake truck and something about a bakery she inherits. We’ll have to watch and find out the details!
Tune in Saturday night, September 22nd for the premiere of Truly, Madly, Sweetly at 8:00 CST/9:00 EST starring Dylan Neal and Nikki DeLoach. Check back on my blog every Friday for the latest Fall Harvest movie and a new recipe. After Fall Harvest will be “Countdown to Christmas” movies starting late October!
- Spice Cake:
- 2-1/2 cups sifted cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1-1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Cinnamon Frosting:
- 1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 egg white
- Dash of salt
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard size cupcake pans with liners to make 24 cupcakes. Set aside.
- For cake: Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices into a bowl; set aside. In bowl of electric mixer cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Stir in vanilla.
- Divide batter into cupcake liners in pans. Bake for about 14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack about 5 minutes, then turn out cupcakes from pan and cool completely before frosting.
- For Frosting: Sift powdered sugar and cinnamon into bowl; set aside. In bowl of electric mixer, beat together melted butter and ½ cup of the sugar mixture. Beat in egg white and salt. Add remaining sugar mixture, milk, and vanilla. Beat until of spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes. Makes 2 dozen cupcakes.
- Note: This is enough frosting to spread on cupcakes, but if you like a lot of frosting and want to use a pastry bag to make large, high swirls, the frosting should be doubled.
I would love to love the cupcakes! And, yes I am a Hallmark movie junkie. Much to Alan’s demise. Love you. EJ
I didn’t know you were a Hallmark movie junkie! Yay sis! We’ll watch together someday when Alan is sleeping. 😉
I’m Kim, and I am a Hallmark movie junkie, too!! And I love spice cake!! And your spice cupcake recipe looks divine. I am planning on visiting my daughter in college next month and taking a variety of cupcakes to her college house of 13 ladies, with multiple friends always visiting, and I will definitely add your recipe to the list. Thanks for sharing your ‘sweet’ blog!
I hope you, and Lydia and her friends will like the cupcakes! You are such a good mom! Someday we must sit down and watch Hallmark movies together.
I’m Madonna. Please add me to the list of Hallmark movies junkies (but you already knew that). I also confess that I have a big crush on Dylan Neal and am so unhappy that there will be no more Gourmet Detective movies. I’m looking forward to my Dylan/foodie fix tonight. Your spice cupcakes look delicious. I might have to try that recipe.
Madonna, you must know that you are one of the reasons I decided to start the Hallmark movie and recipe blog! You are the first person I ever admitted to that I was a Hallmark Channel junkie! Did you see that Dylan Neal himself responded to me on Twitter?! Said he liked my idea of the blogs, and the cupcakes. 🙂
Two of a kind! I haven’t checked Twitter for a few days. I need to see that tweet.
In other culinary news, I’ll be in New Orleans next week (one of my cousins is getting married). You know what that means.
Have a great time in NOLA!
First of all, I adore the Hallmark channels…. but I’m more of a Hallmark Movies and Mysteries person. Murder She Baked series is my favorite – duh. 🙂 Secondly, those cupcakes look fabulous! You’re speaking my language with spice cupcake and cinnamon frosting, truly…. are they one of your recipes? Many hugs.
Hi Dana- I like the Movies and Mysteries too, including the Murder She Baked series. I am going to miss the Gourmet Detective. Did you like that series? The recipe is one I received from a neighbor many years ago. It’s one of my husband’s favorites.
Would you happen to have the recipe for the Chocolate Manchester Cookies the characters made for the school bake sale? Looked like a pinwheel type cookie
Hi Cynthia- I love how you noticed the food so closely on the show! I do the same thing. Hallmark has great chefs and food stylists on their staff. I remember those pinwheel cookies but I’ll go back to the movie and take a closer look at them. At first they reminded me of the pinwheel-type Scandinavian cookies shaped more like stars and not a sliced pinwheel, but they usually have a jam or prune filling. I’ll get back to you if I find something similar. I wonder if Hallmark keeps tab of all their recipes?
Hallmark should publish cookbook of recipes from their movies.
I wonder if they have and we haven’t discovered it yet. If they haven’t, they should! I know there was a Cedar Cove cookbook because I wrote about it when that series was airing, but it was a series and not a movie. Maybe someone reading this will know.
Hi Debbie
Thanks so much for the cupcake recipe.
I’m just watching the movie now & also wondered about the chocolate Manchester cookies —— I’ve never heard of them before and have yet to find them anywhere online.
Did you ever happen to find out what they are and their recipe?
They do look like VERY large pinwheel cookies.
Now I’m intrigued to find out the recipe.
Thanks so much Debbie!
Hi Irene- I’m still looking for the Manchester cookie recipe. Someone else also requested it here. I’d love to have it too, so the search will continue!
I too would love the Manchester cookie recipe. My son wants me to made them for his school bake sale.
Karen, you are now the third person who is seeking this recipe! I will let all three of you know if I find it. Still looking!
I tried google for a chocolate Manchester cookie recipe. Chocolate chip cookies came up, a Manchester tart (Robert Irvine/food network)—apparently some type of sponge cake deal, and lots of places to buy chocolates or restaurants. Maybe hallmark made them up? Or maybe chocolate chip cookies are called Manchester cookies in other than the west coast?
I googled right after the show and got just about the same as you did! The cookies they called Manchester were like pinwheel cookies but no hint of what was in the center. My guess would be some kind of jam, or maybe chocolate? I also couldn’t figure out from the brief view of them in the movie, if it was a cookie dough or puff pastry pinwheel. And as you say, maybe someone who does the food at Hallmark made up the name, or it was a favorite family cookie of the cook and Manchester is a last name or a place? Who knows? I would love to hear what others think about this, and then maybe between us, we can make up our own version!
I found several recipes for the Manchester but they look nothing like she was baking.
Not a real cookie. Looks like a chocolate filled pinwheel
I too am looking for the Manchester cookie recepie. Can I please get a copy. This reminds me of a cookie my mom made. She is no longer here and would love the recepie..
Hi Sharon- Other people are looking for that recipe too, but so far no one has posted. If anyone has it, please let us know! I couldn’t find it by that name either.
Also interested in the Manchester pinwheel recipe please!!
Me too, Leslie! I’m at the conclusion that Hallmark needs to write a new cookbook. They have so many gorgeous foods on the show with everyone wanting the recipes.
Same!! Would love that chocolate Manchester cookies recipe! I don’t think I’ve ever searched for a Hallmark movie recipe before!
I’m looking for the Chocolate Manchester cookie recipe as well.
I’ve never searched for a Hallmark movie recipe before!
Hope someone finds it or makes it.
Has anyone contacted the Hallmark Channel? They’ve obviously created quite a curiosity since so many of us are googling chocolate Manchester cookies and not finding a recipe.
But at least we found this blog, which I’ll now be following. Thanks, Debbie! Kindred spirits!
That’s a good idea, Marsi. I’ll do that. But I’m glad you found my blog with the search!
Manchester recipe please
Paul, I wish I had the recipe. So many people are asking for it! If I ever find it, I’ll post here.
In case Hallmark is watching, I’d love a copy of that Chocolate Manchester recipe too!
Me too, Paul! I’m beginning to think I may have to develop the recipe myself since I can’t find it anywhere.
Watching Hallmark and looking for the Chocolate Manchester cookie recipe also. 🙂
Still searching! I really think I need to come up with my own version since I can’t seem to find the recipe for the one on the show.
Im glad im not the only one looking for “chocolate Manchesters”. I was beginning to thinkmi was losing my mind!!!! Hallmark Channel- step it up- ball’s in your corner, tell us what she really nade and post the recipe please and save us from ourselves and thinking we’ve lost our hearing, our minds, or both!
Hallmark has written cookbooks in the past (like Cedar Cove) so maybe there will be more to come. They certainly would be popular and hopefully include the Manchester cookie recipe!
Lady’s mystery solved!!! Google Puff Pastry Pinwheels!!! Unicorns – Eat Cookies- Yay!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Gina! I knew the cookies were pinwheels because they showed them briefly in the movie, but couldn’t tell in that short moment if they were cookie dough or puff pastry ones, or if the center was chocolate or jam. I guess people will have to make their favorite version! Either way is great.
Hallmark? Yes! – I was looking for the recipe for those Manchester cookies.
Me too!
The Manchester Cookie recipe looked to me like a spin on chocolate chip cookies ? But I’m no baker! I was, however, interested enough to google the name of the cookie and found your blog! Someone has to come through for all of us!
Shelby, while we don’t have an exact recipe, the cookies looked like pinwheels which could be a butter cookie or could be puff pastry. I say either way is good!
I too am a Hallmark movie junkie ❤️ Will you be posting more recipes and about those Manchester cookies… Recipe soon??
Genan, don’t you love how these elusive Manchester Cookies have caused such discussion from all the Hallmark movie fans? I think the final consensus is that they are pinwheel cookies, either puff pastry or butter cookies. Next time the movie repeats, I’m going to tape it and take a look at them again!
Debbie, I recorded that movie and just saw those cookies; watching as I type this. After a few rewinds and stop/start, they “seem” to be butter pastry. My Italian mother made poinsettia pinwheels with a jam centre fo Christmas. The movie called them chocolate Manchesters. A dollop of Nutella in the middle sounds good! I wold like to experiment with both butter and puff pastries flavour and presentation.
Christine, I completely agree with you! They reminded me of our Finnish family pinwheel cookies with jam in the middle, usually raspberry or prune. If you would write back and tell everyone your experimenting, they would be thrilled, me included! Pictures, too if you can. Also, that dollop of Nutella sounds heavenly. I’ve had so many comments here and on facebook, plus emails about these elusive cookies. Can’t wait to hear back from you! Thanks so much for writing.
Debbie, I, too am a Hallmark movie junkie. Never knew until I found your blog that such a thing existed. Obviously, I am not alone. I’ve never heard of Manchester Cookies either. I did google Puff Pastry Pinwheels. Went back & looked at that part of the movie again.
I think that they are a butter cookie/pastry. Puff Pastry looks more airy than the Manchester cookies in the movie.
So — I googled Butter Cookie Pinwheels. Clicked on Images to see photos. About half way down the page are cookies shaped very much like the ones in the movie. They are called Apricot Pinwheels. Found at http://www.bettycrocker.com. Could easily substitute the apricot with chocolate or Nutella. Using puff pastry or a butter cookie, I think either would be very tasty.
Hi Marge – I am always happy to hear from other fellow Hallmark movie junkies! I am stunned how many people are so curious about the Manchester cookie from almost a year ago! It’s been such fun getting everyone’s opinions and links to this elusive cookie recipe. Thank you so much for another idea. They sound great!
I guess I’m another recipe collector! I’gone through all mine, even one with recipes from 100 years ago. Can’t find it. If anyone does please let me know. Cindy Dugas
I also looking for the cookie from the movie, chocolate Manchester. You give a cup cake recipe? You need to watch your movie and see what I and others are seeing. We all would like to know what cookie you called the chocolate Manchester! (love hallmark movies, THANKS.
Hi Teresa- The cupcake recipe is on the blog. If you scroll down to the comments, you can read where several readers wrote their ideas of the cookie recipe, and some even offered links to possible recipes that sounded like the “Manchester Cookies,” as Hallmark called it in the movie. As I am writing this, it has been a year since the movie aired which means it has been a year since I wrote this blog. Maybe Hallmark will repeat this movie again this season, as it seems to be very popular. I think it’s great that people still desire the recipe for this elusive cookie, which shows the influence of Hallmark movies and the love of baking cookies to the viewers. I obviously did watch the movie since I wrote about it, and I did see what others viewed as a cookie that would be fun to duplicate. Many Hallmark movies involve food, but this cookie seems to have captured a lot of attention!
Yes hopefully someone can recreate the “Chocolate Manchester Hallmark Cookie!!”
Chocolate Manchester’s are just puff pastry with chocolate filling. ♥️
Thank you, Laura!
I was going to say they are probably just crescent rolls (I would use Pillsbury Hawaiian in a pinch because the dough is sweeter) with a Hershey’s Kiss and some coarse sugar (sprinkled) in the middle.
Oh, and I have no affiliation with either Pillsbury or Hershey’s, other than as a customer.
Although they probably love your answer, Paul!
If they had not gone grocery shopping after the scene where they had no baking ingredients, my suggestion would have been spot on as it uses things that someone who doesn’t bake might still have around the house.
Good observation, Paul!
I think there are various ways to make the Manchester cookie! I love reading everyone’s take on them.
Check these out……
JOULUTORTTU (FINNISH CHRISTMAS STAR COOKIES)
Our cousins in Finland make these wonderful cookies! They are excellent, and other fillings can be made too.
If you watch the movie again, you’ll find that Manchester is the Name of the school having the bake sale the ‘cookies’ were going to. I think the producers were having fun with the name. They are definitely pinwheel pastries with chocolate.
Thank you, Doug! I don’t have the movie saved to watch again, but I’m so glad you pointed this out. Mystery solved! I agree with you that they are definitely pinwheels.
Loved finding this thread. I concluded that they were puff pastry type cookie until the main character picked up and bit into it. Then saw someone mention a Finnish star cookie. Agree with posts that Hallmark sends us baked sorts to Google. They ran the movie this past week. 2021. A great new year habit…watching Hallmark movies.
I agree with you, Lydia! I am still stunned how many readers loved this cookie. I’m ready for all the new movies too! Looking forward tp the one in Ireland.
Hi Debbie,
I have been catching up this past year. Up until the crazy pandemic I was delighted by Christmas movies annually now so many more I didn’t realize existed. Looking forward to Ireland one also.
This recipe looks close to the Chocolate Manchester’s…
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a25711/chocolate-hazelnut-pinwheels-1241/
Thanks for the link, Mar!
Does anyone have the recipe for the secret recipe from Hallmark’s “A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe? It”s like a chocolate Kringle.
Hi Sandie- I haven’t watched the “Christmas Cookie Catastrophe” yet but I recorded it! When I get around to watching it, I’ll keep my eyes open for the chocolate kringle cookie. Maybe someone here who has seen the movie will chime in!