We’re starting a new feature on the blog, something I’ve been doing in other ways for years. Today is our first “Let’s Celebrate!” post – with authors sharing in the fun of random “holidays” all year long. Today — Nancy Naigle is helping us celebrate National Vanilla Cupcake Day!!!
🧁 National Vanilla Cupcake Day — And a Sprinkle of Story Magic!
Hey y’all,
Since it’s National Vanilla Cupcake Day, I figured there’s no better time to share a smile and a story. I’m Nancy Naigle just a small-town gal who believes life—and fiction—are both better with a dash of sweetness and plenty of heart.
You see, cupcakes and I go way back. Being a Southern girl, food shows up in nearly every one of my books. Sometimes in the background at a potluck or bake sale, and sometimes center stage in a mouthwatering subplot. But it’s more than just the sugar and spice. Food, especially something as joyful and nostalgic as a cupcake, brings people together. It sparks memories. It opens hearts. And for me, it even helped kick off a couple of my favorite love stories.
The Secret Ingredient: A Love Story Baked with Heart
If you’ve read The Secret Ingredient, you’ll remember that cupcakes aren’t just on the cover—they’re at the very heart of the story. It’s a sweet reunion romance between Kelly and Andrew, two former flames who unexpectedly wind up as blind contestants on a national TV baking competition. Think Chopped, with a sugary twist and a whole lot of heart.
Fun Fact: When the Hallmark movie adaptation came to life, Chopped star Maneet Chauhan was cast as the judge! How fun is that? And I was over the moon that my fellow Virginian actress, Erin Cahill, brought Kelly to life so beautifully. Paired with the ever-handsome Brendan Penny as Andrew, this one really stole hearts on screen.
Oh—and here’s an extra sprinkle of sweetness: Erin Cahill is also the voice talent behind the audiobook of The Shell Collector. I just love when stories and people connect like that.
Christmas Joy: The Christmas Cookie Crawl!
If you read the book, or saw the movie on Hallmark, you know Aunt Ruby enters the cookie crawl every year. She’s even taken home the trophy for most of those years.
Who’s to say there weren’t yummy vanilla cupcakes on the Christmas Cookie Crawl, anyway? The whole premise of the cookie crawl in Christmas Joy was inspired by the annual cookie swap I used to do. It didn’t have to be cookies, just a sweet or savory treat. Everyone brought a pre-determined dozen of treats. One dozen was for sharing, and then you got to pick from all the platters an assortment for the number of dozens you brought o trade, so everyone went home with an assortment. It was an awesome way to divide and conquer holiday baking and gave us a reason to gather.
If I were making cupcakes for a cookie swap, I’d make vanilla mini-cupcakes, core the center and fill them with white chocolate ganache. Top with buttercream frosting and some red and green sugar sprinkles.
What personal twist will you put on your cupcakes?
Cupcakes Through the Ages
Did you know cupcakes were once called fairy cakes and patty cakes? They date all the way back to the 1700s when they were first baked in heavy pottery cups.
Today, you’ll find them in teacups, ramekins, and dressed to the nines with fancy fillings, swirls of buttercream, and sparkling sugar. And these days we have a wide variety of awesome cupcake liners and wrappers (fun decorate components to jazz up your creation) to choose from.
These are the cupcake liners and wrappers I got to take my Thanksgiving cupcakes up a notch this year.
Cupcake liners have been around a long time. The colorful foil ones are fun, but in the fall, I love to use a harvest themed wrapper that screams It’s Fall Y’all like these do.
Seriously, are these brightly colored turkey wrappers and picks not absolutely adorable?
Vanilla cupcakes may seem simple, but there’s magic in that simplicity. They’re the perfect blank canvas. Kind of like a second chance at love or a fresh start in a brand-new chapter.
💬 Let’s Talk Cupcakes!
So, tell me,
- Are you a classic cupcake lover or do you crave the filled kind with a surprise inside?
- And what’s your frosting style? Buttercream all the way or light and fluffy whipped topping?
- All about the flavor, or all about how pretty or cute the cupcake is?
Let’s make this blog post interactive! Comment or tag me on socials and let me know. Better yet, whip up a batch of cupcakes today, and celebrate with someone you love.
📚 Sweet Stories for Your TBR
If cupcakes are your jam, and heartwarming stories that blend love, loss, and second chances speak to your soul, then I hope you’ll check out The Secret Ingredient—or any of my 45+ Southern stories. From beach towns to Christmas markets, each one is a little love letter to hope, healing, and the magic of small-town life.
Thanks for stopping by today, and happy National Vanilla Cupcake Day!
Here’s to finding your sweet spot today.
Warmest wishes,
Nancy Naigle
www.nancynaigle.com
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career as an SVP for Bank of America and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm.
Now enjoying an early retirement from the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she now calls the small town of Franklin, Virginia home.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Coastal Magic Convention Featured Author Spotlight post.
Nancy will be one of the amazing authors we’ll get to hang out with during the 14th annual reader weekend in Daytona Beach, FL, Feb 19-22, 2026.
For a full list of Featured Authors, info about the weekend, and link to register to attend, visit http://www.CoastalMagicConvention.com.
And be sure to watch for more Featured Author spotlights coming up here each month!
Funk-N-Fiction 
I love cupcakes!
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