Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews (18)

Best Murder, She Baked, Yet!

[sonicgeekette · 8/10 · 4 April 2017]

I absolutely loved this latest installment of the 'Murder, She Baked' mystery movies series! Alison Sweeney has come a long way from her younger years as the bratty teen you loved to hate, Sammy Brady, on Days; and has gotten more beautiful with age. Her co-star, Cameron Mathison is yummier than ever, so I was so happy to see the two of them end up together.

I knew the movie was going to be good when it started with Hannah and Mike on a date and talking about how they each needed to take a vacation. It seemed like they were hinting at taking a vacation together. So sweet! (I've been rooting for those two to get together since the series started, and there was the whole Mike, Hannah, and Norman triangle.) I'm glad to see Hannah and Norman remained close friends, and Norman is still able to tag along and help Hannah out on some her own investigating. They are fun as pals, but I always thought that Mike was more for Hannah, as she always loved being rescued by him. (Who wouldn't?) It was very apparent, though, right from the start of this movie that Hannah and Mike were meant to be together, especially with Norman accepting defeat and dating other women. The chemistry between Sweeney and Mathison is magical. When Hannah teared up after Mike turned her down for lunch, it broke my heart. And when Mike showed up as Hannah was running late to go into the Bake-off, and told her how he felt, I almost couldn't contain my happiness.

I read that Alison Sweeney was injured on a skiing trip just before this movie went into production, and her injury was written in so that she could be on a crutch. This worked out so well and seemed like it was really part of the story line of her being injured as one of the judges in the Bake-off.

My only complaint about the movie is casting David Lewis as the "bad guy". This is type casting, and I knew it was him right away. He's played the bad guy in several movies, including other Hallmark mysteries. But like the other Hannah Swenson mysteries, his character and motive was complicated, and he wasn't all bad.

The ending was the best and I certainly hope they continue to make more Murder, She Baked mysteries with Hannah and Mike. They are so sweet together.

Loved it!

[mtishagayle · 8/10 · 2 April 2017]

My favorite so far. Love that Hannah and Mike are together and will move forward in hopefully many more installments. While I enjoyed the triangle with Norman, I always felt Hannah's heart was with Mike. I am glad the triangle is resolved as it was unrealistic for it to continue --- especially in such a small town. I love the casting and always look forward to this series. Great job!

WORST finale for the most wonderfully fun HMM series!

[dollandroos · 8/10 · 21 May 2020]

My very most favorite Hallmark hero? CAMERON MATHISON!!!

A lovely fun leading lady!? Alison Sweeney

I absolutely loved this entire miniseries!

I totally know the recipe for Hallmark! 1st uninterrupted kiss?... as the snowflakes fall?... roll final credits....

This time it was even worse! A confusing parking lot declaration... No finish with buddy Norman (or setting him happily up).... cut to another confusing scene in the Italian restaurant... a phone call.... off they go with a byword of engagement party.... THE END ?!?!

We need more Mike going crazy over Hannah's craziness, and Hannah balking at Mike's reining her in to keep her safe...all the while they are ENGAGED! RESULTING IN A WEDDING!!

It's time for Hallmark to break their set-in-their-ways formula!

How 'bout Murder, She Baked: Wedding Cake!?

Who can EVER get enough of Cameron Mathison? And the chemistry with Alison Sweeney!

It's time for a follow up!

Norman discovers the basketball coach dead outside the school.

[TxMike · 1 June 2023]

These "Murder, She Baked" series of movies will never be mistaken for great movies but they are entertaining, partly because they have to be complete by 85 minutes so there isn't any dragging. And we get to feel that we know the characters.

Plus Alison Sweeney, who plays baker Hannah Swensen, is very attractive and very personable. As in the others there is a murder mystery to be solved but that never really takes the focus off the real meat of these movies. Whether Hannah will end up with Mike the Cop or with Norman the Dentist. At the end of this one Hannah and Mike pretty well seal the deal and start planning an engagement party.

In this one Hannah is facilitating a televised contest of chefs baking desserts when one of them, the local basketball coach, is found dead outside the school. It appears to be murder but who would want to kill the coach? A number of red herrings and other misdirections come to the fore but ultimately Hannah tracks down the real culprit, the one who needed the coach dead.

We found a set of two DVDs at our public library that contains five of the "Murder, She Baked" movies. We are watching all of them at home.

Would have been OK if I hadn't read all the books...

[kmcnitt · 6/10 · 6 November 2017]

Am I the only one that has problems with the casting of Norman and Mike in these movies?? The 2 actors look so much alike to me, I have trouble following the story because I can't tell them apart.

Also - since I read the books, I know Hannah isn't supposed to end up with either Mike or Norman, so getting engaged to Mike at the end of this one is a great surprise.

It is probably like most things - you should never watch a movie after you've already read the book...

Hallmark has a crowd-pleasing formula

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 6 October 2018]

Two soap veterans, Allison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison, star in "Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts." This series follows the usual Hallmark mystery pattern: attractive people, idyllic town, murder. romance but no sex.

In this film, Hannah (Sweeney) hosts a TV baking show contest and investigates when the judges start being knocked off.

My problem with all of these Hallmark mysteries is that I usually spot the murderer five minutes in. This episode was no exception.

Pleasant enough for what it is.

Loved it.

[fehtoc · 10/10 · 20 October 2017]

Liked it, made me happy because it ended the way I like to see series end

Wish I could get it on Amizon. Watch the other 4 movies everyday. (Thats really hooked) LOl But wish I could get "just Desserts" movie. Wouldn't mind more movies in this series. Love those actors.

The Eden Falls Bake Off

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 18 June 2017]

Some accidents befall some of the judges of the Eden Falls bake off contest, one of whom is Alison Sweeney. But it's the murder of the local high school basketball coach who was one of the judges that gets law enforcement involved.

Of course it's their detective Cameron Mattison who is officially assigned to the case, but there's no way he's going to stop Alison Sweeney from getting involved. Especially after she is victimized twice. The first time one of her basement stairs is sabotaged. The second however is when Mattison's break line on his vehicle is tampered with.

It turns out the coach definitely had an unsavory side to him as they investigate.

Sweeney with her investigative instincts is able to parse out the responsibility for who did what. In that way the murder is solved.

Mattison is in a dilemma. He's exasperated over Alison's interference, but at the same time, he's falling for her big time.

Will that last? Tune in to this Murder She Baked film and the next one to find out.

I love this movie

[trisha-28234 · 10/10 · 17 March 2018]

Sorry, I'm not much of a writer. It was so good all the way through. This series of movies is my favorite.

Why can't I find the dvd to buy? I have the other 4, but need this one.

Disappointing to Say the Least

[tindalrich · 1/10 · 28 March 2017]

I have really enjoyed the other Murder She Baked movies but this one not so. The writing was weak and it was very easy to figure out the murderer of the coach. Granted most of these you can determine who it is but there are some nuances throughout. Not this time.

There is less baking and more murder investigation as well as another crime to do with a baking contest. There is no character development with any of the high school basketball players, the coach's wife, TV individuals or contestants. The coach is shown as an unpleasant bully - someone not sympathetic whatsoever which made one not care he was killed off.

Previously Hannah was torn between Mike and Norman which was not only unique but also kept it light and enjoyable. The last Murder She Baked still had that going for it, but in this one Norman was already dating others because it appears Hannah had dumped him for Mike. While I loved Cameron Mathison in All My Children, his character in this series could use some improvement.

Now Hannah and Mike end up engaged and she will help him with all his cases. This is just too unbelievable and lacking any realism.

I would have much preferred to have Norman in the picture still. He's a great character/gentleman who loved Hannah as well as showed her respect.

If there is another Murder She Bakes (which there probably will be), hoping it can undo some of the mess this one made.

Good episode, mediocre mystery

[wjspears · 8/10 · 5 September 2021]

This last episode epitomizes Murder, She Baked for me. It was an enjoyable movie, but a sloppily written mystery. For instance.

Possible Spoilers

The ending seems meant to elicit our sympathy for the killer, who was a person acting in a fit of rage.

But this same killer later tampers with Hannah's brakes, so she will crash her car (although this is never made explicitly clear).

Along with being unclear how killing Hannah is going to help the killer--it is still an active police investigation--it is also a pretty cold blooded thing to do.

As others have noted, this is an enjoyable episode for the interplay between the main characters--especially Hannah and Mike.

Mike's talk with his former sister-in-law is a well written scene, that nicely reveals Mike's hesitancy about committing himself again to a love relationship--especially when that someone is as genuinely impulsive as Hannah is.

The mother

[Mliss49 · 2/10 · 30 August 2018]

Read one of the actual books - the mother is nothing like that crazy mess of a woman. She is awful. So hyperactive. She distracts from the movie and does not add anything to the movie.

When you get the chance, take it.

[cgvsluis · 8/10 · 22 February 2021]

This is the fifth and last entry in Hallmark's Murder She Baked series based on the cosy mystery books written by the very funny Joanne Fluke.

I wish there were more because this was a great cast, wonderful dialogue, good mysteries, decent sets and an overall enjoyable series. It had heat and humor.

"Just Desserts" has a faceless nefarious figure who is bringing harm to the judges of the Eden Lake Baking Competition or Bake-off that Hannah is the spokesperson for. As the judges start to drop like flies, Hannah who herself has suffered an injury and is hobbling around on a crutch finds herself growing suspicious.

Add in some small town high school basketball, opinionated parents and tough coach turned bake-off judge turned corpse...and you have yourself a mystery!

There is also a tv show and tv station producer associated with the bake-off. Has "hop-a-long-Hannah" met her match?

"She's amazing, she's funny, she's strong...I thought if I kept her close, I could protect her..."

Sweet wrap up to the series...I just wish there were more.

"Just like a great cookie recipe...true love delivers every time."

Baking Contest, HS Basketball hero, and a DEAD COACH

[ringeraghty · 9/10 · 15 April 2017]

Your posted synopsis GIVES AWAY the plot, people, Way to ruin a MYSTERY!!! someone want to fix that?? How 'bout "HS coach found dead, many suspects, twists and turns" or "Hanna is having a baking contest at the HS, while the Basketball hero playing in his big game. THen coach found dead." REALLY UPSET WITH THIS LISTING. GREAT MOVIE RUINED BY PLOT EXPOSURE

The weakest of the bunch

[centava99 · 3/10 · 27 August 2018]

This one was a real letdown. The murder was pretty typical, but what really makes this series is the love triangle. Norman was honestly the most interesting of the bunch in this episode, half-jokingly talking about stepping in when Mike drops the ball in having Hannah's affections. You'd never know Mike and Hannah were even a couple; the entire movie was the case and the two of them not having time to get together even for a meal. Come on!

What's weird about this whole series is that there are clearly season changes, which means TIME IS PASSING and yet they expect us to believe that 3-6 months have passed between episodes and they've not once had a real date, yet are discussing going on vacation together? And then at the end they're engaged??!?!!? This makes zero sense when they've implied for 4.5 movies that they've only had a handful of dates, maybe 3 kissing sessions and that neither knows how the other feels about each other. The whole series would have made more sense (still minus the engagement) if it'd all been compressed into the span of maybe 1-2 months instead of what was at least 1.5 years (two winters and the gestation/birth/infancy of Andrea's baby as my time markers). I actually wanted to watch the first four episodes several times, but I deleted this one instantly after it was done, and was sad to not want to see it again. It just was a letdown.

Murder She Wrote was so much better

[johnginesi-72278 · 2/10 · 9 September 2021]

I found all the action near the end the rest bored me to tears. Where is the entertainment in this reality show movie, what were they thinking. It is a wonder I did not fall asleep while watching. Well worth a 2.

She's better in regular Hallmark movies

[mstexn · 4/10 · 5 August 2021]

I really like her but not so much in the murder shows.

OK single but how is this a series?

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 21 October 2017]

Bakery owner Hannah Swensen (Alison Sweeney) is a judge for the Eden Lake Bake Off at the local high school. Unbeknownst to her, someone caused her accident leaving her hobbling with a crutch. One of the other judges drop out and callous coach Leonard Bishop becomes the replacement. He's not all that happy and gets killed in a seemingly hit-and-run accident. Hannah investigates the incident for herself.

This is the first "Murder, She Baked" movie for me. I've avoided it so far for obvious reasons. I like Sweeney so I gave this a try. She pulls me through the entire movie but I have a question. How is this a series? Why does she keep encountering murders? At least, Angela Lansbury is a mystery writer. That's her in but where's Sweeney's in? She's a baker and crazy murders keep happening to people around her. I would make the final movie/book reveal that she's actually the killer. At least, that would make sense.