In visually stunning fashion, The Book of Life follows the journey of Manolo, a young man who must choose between following his heart and his family obligations. His story takes him on a fantastic adventure steeped in Mexican culture and the traditions of Dia de los Muertes (Day of the Dead).

For a tasty and colorful tribute to the film, try this recipe the whole family is sure to enjoy creating and eating. The delectable flavors of churros are infused in a cinnamon cupcake, frosted with a cinnamon-sugar-sprinkled buttercream. On top, a sugar skull sports Manolo’s signature hairstyle. 

Churro Cupcakes (makes 24)

Ingredients:

3/4 cups (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1-3/4 cups brown sugar

3 eggs

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2-1/4 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

Decor:

cinnamon vanilla buttercream (recipe below)

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

24 sugar skulls

chocolate icing

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prep a cupcake pan with liners.

In a bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar.

Slowly add the eggs, then the vanilla.

Alternate the flour mixture with the buttermilk until combined.

Fill each liner 3/4 full, and bake for 15 minutes.

Let cool on a wire rack.

Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream. Stir together the one Tablespoon sugar and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture over the frosted cupcakes. Place a decorated sugar skull in the center.

Using a #3 tip, pipe chocolate icing for Manolo’s hair with his signature swirl.

Cinnamon Vanilla Buttercream

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons milk, as needed

food gel dye

In the bowl of an electric mixer cream the butter while adding the sugar SLOWLY, a little at a time. Add the vanilla, salt, then the milk as needed.

Add food gel dye as desired, then set the mixer to medium high and beat for about 10-15 seconds until fluffy and the color is incorporated.

Sugar Skulls

premade sugar skulls

black icing

yellow icing

black edible ink

Using a #2 tip fill in the black circles of the eyes and nose of the sugar skull.

With the edible ink add Manolo’s markings around his eyes and chin.

Using a #2 tip fill in the pupils with yellow icing. Let set.

Jenn Fujikawa has been writing and food blogging in Los Angeles for more than 10 years. More of her geeky baking creations and award-winning recipes can be found on her blog.