Review: “Christmas Cupcakes” (2019)

Fancy banner done in a navy ground. On either side, Hollywood red curtains tied back with pearl-white cords. In the center of the banner are four gold-navy-&-red art deco-styled brackets framing out the words “Books by Alicia Presents” (in gold), an art deco element beneath, then “Christmas Romance Reviews” (in pearl white).
Basic banner of navy ground and very light gold art-deco brackets in the upper left and bottom right corners. In bolded pearl white, a movie title is written. This one says, “Christmas Cupcakes.” Beneath it, in gold, is the date (2019) the movie came out sandwiched between two gold art deco elements.

~ A Christmas Recipe That Blends Family, Competition, and Unexpected Love ~

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Movie Details” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

  • Erin Karpluk as “Kim Remo”

  • Cindy Busby as Gina Remo “Gina Remo”

  • Corey Loranger as “Nick Sanderson”

  • Kristian Bruun as “Andrew Sanderson”

  • Fulvio Cecere as “Uncle Mario”

  • Location: Chicago (elevated train visible in establishing shots)

  • Platform: Tubi

  • Date: Feb. 24, 2025

Classic Cinema Scale: Fancy banner with a thick gold border. In the center, in Hollywood red, the words, “Classic Cinema Scale.” Beneath it, three film reels—the top in gold, middle in silver, bottom in bronze. Each has words done in navy. For the gold reel, “Golden Age Worthy: Exceptional performances, chemistry, and production that capture the magic of classic Hollywood.” For the silver, “Matinee Material: Good entertainment with solid elements, though not quite reaching classic status.” And the bronze, “B-Movie Blues: Missing the mark despite potential.”

  • Matinee Material — Not overly sentimental or romantic, but a good story worth annual viewing

Tissue Box Scale: Fancy banner with a thick gold border. In the center, in Hollywood red, the words, “Tissue Box Scale.” Beneath it, a column of tissue boxes, all in red, gold, and navy—the top is a single box, middle is two, bottom is three. Each has words done in navy. For the single box, “One Box: Keep a tissue handy, but your makeup is safe.” For the duo, “Two Boxes: You’ll definitely need those tissues, but you’ll still be presentable after.” And the trio, “Three Boxes: “Is pepperoni okay?” territory — don’t even bother with mascara!”

  • Two Boxes — Multiple scenes bring tears, especially when Erin Karpluk delivers those emotional moments

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I first watched this around 2023 because of Erin Karpluk, whom I genuinely enjoy.

While writing out the cast this time, I realized the younger sister is Cindy Busby from A Puppy for Christmas. She’s a tad nasally, but I didn’t dislike her performance the first time around — and that impression held on second viewing.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The Chemistry Test” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

The sisters work beautifully together — their acting feels natural, and they even deliver a line in perfect unison at the end that sounds JUST like real sisters!

Erin and Cindy create believable sibling dynamics.

However, Nick wouldn’t have been my choice as Gina’s love interest. They don’t look particularly good together — more like childhood BFFs or cousins than romantic partners. The connection just doesn’t quite spark.

Some supporting actors feel overdone, and the reality show elements prove as grating as actual reality TV — complete with idiotic judges and a cheesy host making the whole thing feel like nails on a chalkboard.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Behind the Scenes” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

The family bakery gets decorated for Christmas — nice for a holiday shop, but there’s really no other significant location or decoration worth noting.

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, are the words, “Wardrobe & Styling” that are sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

Standard winter wear: jeans, sweaters, boots. Nothing particularly festive or memorable.

My main issues with the fashion? Gina’s skin-tight jeans with ankle boots create a broken visual line — about an inch of exposed leg between hem and boot top looks unkempt. I really hate that look. It’s just sloppy.

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco brackets in top corners. The banner reads: “Fashion Pro Tip: Create continuous lines between boots and pants/skirts by adding nylons or tights harmonious to your garments. Black skirt with knee-high boots? Go with black tights. (And in Gina’s case, buy jeans that aren’t floodwaters.)”
Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The Romance Formula” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Pretty formulaic, including the obligatory tech-savvy bratty teen.

Sisters Kim and Gina need money to save their late father’s bakery. Gina meets Nick, who works for local chef Andrew and dreams of opening his own dessert food truck.

The sisters enter a local TV cooking contest for the $100K prize, only to discover Nick and creepy Andrew will also compete.

Battle lines are drawn!

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The First Kiss” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Awkward. These two work better as friends or relatives than lovers, making the kiss feel odd and forced rather than romantic.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Christian Corner” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Simple family story with no swearing — perfectly appropriate for the whole family.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Final Cut” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Another Christmas movie focusing more on family than romance, but it’s still a good show worth watching.

The bakery-saving storyline and sister dynamics carry the emotional weight more effectively than the romantic subplot.

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, is the words, “Highlights” that’s sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

  • Erin Karpluk’s exceptional emotional scene

  • Natural sister chemistry between leads

  • That perfectly unified line delivery

  • Multiple genuinely moving moments

  • Family bakery storyline resonates

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, is the word, “Lowlights” that’ sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

  • Lack of romantic chemistry between Gina and Nick

  • Reality show elements feel grating

  • Some overdone supporting performances

  • Cheesy reality TV host and judges

  • Broken visual lines in wardrobe choices

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Personal Notes” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

This held up well on second viewing. Erin Karpluk comes through again! Multiple scenes showcase her talent for delivering real tears that actually choke up her line readings:

  • Explaining to Gina why saving the bakery matters so much

  • The scene between Kim and her mom

  • The finale cook-off when explaining family history

  • That customer interaction at the bakery

When Erin hits those emotional beats, she NAILS them every time. It’s what makes her such a compelling actress — those tears feel completely authentic.

I did miss that Nick and Andrew were related on first viewing — probably too busy taking notes when that detail came up!

Have you watched this family-and-baking Christmas tale?

Share your thoughts on whether family stories resonate more than pure romance, and your favorite Erin Karpluk performances in the comments below!

Related topics: Christmas romance, family Christmas movies, baking competition films, Christmas bakery stories, Erin Karpluk movies, Cindy Busby, sister relationships, holiday family films, seasonal entertainment, romantic comedy, seasonal entertainment

This review is part of “BBA’s Christmas in July Romance Reviews Week” series. Check back daily for a new review!

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Color photo of me, Alicia, authoress and writer of this blog. Because these specific posts are all about Christmas romance movies, I enhanced my photo with a Santa hat and with a bough of holly bracketing the bottom right. In the center of the holly bough are two candy canes crossed like lovers in a romantic embrace. (See what I did there? 😊)

Alicia Strickland

As a romance novelist with expertise in fashion, interior design, and a deep love of classic Hollywood, I bring a unique perspective to holiday romance reviews. Join me in exploring the magic (and occasional missteps) of Christmas movies!

Alicia Strickland

Hi! I write across multiple genres under various pen names. But for nonfiction, I write as myself.

As a designer with a love of Old Hollywood and all things creative, I bring diverse perspectives to my storytelling... and to my blog.

In the unlikely event that I’m not writing, I enjoy crafting, gardening, or spending time with my flame-point Siamese, Hunter.

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