A GUIDE TO THE ‘HANNAH SWENSEN’ MYSTERY MOVIES
This weekend will mark the arrival of a new mystery in the Hannah Swensen movie franchise and as such, we’re looking back on these installments in a kind of guide to the films. Releasing over ten years, this 2026 title will mark its thirteenth and is a series that has undergone a kind of rebrand, and is now, seemingly, still thriving. So now let’s learn a little bit about these Hannah Swensen mystery movies, shall we?
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A GUIDE TO THE ‘HANNAH SWENSEN’ MYSTERY MOVIES. Looking back on ten years of #HannahSwensen mysteries! How many have you seen? #AlisonSweeney Share on XInspired by novels by Joanne Fluke, the films first debuted in 2015, which were then titled Murder, She Baked along with always a different subtitle. The films then underwent a kind of “rebrand” (after also being on a kind of hiatus for five or so years) in 2021 and then also, shortly afterwards, lost one of its important characters. In 2021, the show also lost its Murder, She Baked title and simply became a title along with the subtitle A Hannah Swenson Mystery.
The series has Alison Sweeney playing Hannah Swensen, a baker who gets tangled up in a multitude of mysteries. Through the years, the films have been directed by popular Hallmark names and stars which includes Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, and now Peter Benson will direct the latest Sugar and Vice. Alison Sweeney has also co-written several of these. Co-starring as recurring characters is Barbara Niven (as Hannah’s mother); Gabriel Hogan (as her friend Norman); Victor Webster (as an attorney and her love interest); and also formerly part of the cast was Cameron Mathison (as Mike, the detective Hannah loved).
Below she the release order of these Hannah Swensen mysteries and where you can stream them all, too!
THE HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERIES
these titles are listed from first to latest in the franchise
MURDER, SHE BAKED: A CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MYSTERY,2015
User Rating: 6.7
This is the one that started it all! It may not have the highest user rating score, but I suspect it is well liked and something fans like. Also, Hallmark Plus does feature Alison Sweeney prominently in their ‘mysteries’ category heading, so I have a feeling that her Hannah Swensen amateur detective is well liked.
I would have watched this one during its debut but remembering specifics is impossible. This said, I am sure it was quite entertaining.
Synopsis: Free spirited cookie baker Hannah Swensen jumps in to help a handsome new detective track down the culprit and uncover the mystery surrounding the death of her friend and local milk delivery man. – via Hallmark+
MURDER, SHE BAKED: A PLUM PUDDING MYSTERY, 2015
User Rating: 6.8
Synopsis: When a murder takes place at the local Christmas tree carnival, it seems there are quite a few suspects. With the twelve days of Christmas ticking away, Hannah’s running out of time to nab a murderous Scrooge. – via Hallmark+
MURDER, SHE BAKED: A PEACH COBBLER MYSTERY, 2016
User Rating: 6.9
Synopsis: With The Cookie Jar, Hannah has a mouthwatering monopoly on the bakery business of Lake Eden, Minnesota. But when a rival store opens, and one of the owners is found dead, Hannah is determined to prove she isn’t guilty. – via Hallmark+
MURDER, SHE BAKED: A DEADLY RECIPE, 2016
User Rating: 6.8
Synopsis: Bakery owner Hannah Swensen just can’t keep her hands out of the batter when murder stirs things up in Lake Eden, Minnesota, leaving the sheriff dead, a deputy accused, and a killer on the loose. – via Hallmark+
MURDER, SHE BAKED: JUST DESSERTS, 2017
User Rating: 6.8
Synopsis: Hannah is thrilled when she is chosen as a guest for the first Eden Lake Dessert Bake-Off, but when a fellow judge is found murdered, Hannah takes it upon herself to find the killer. – via Hallmark+
SWEET REVENGE: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY, 2021
User Rating: 6.9
The first in the “rebrand” set of films, this marks the titling that still holds today which is to keep the films connected through the A Hannah Swensen Mystery title. It also has a high user rating, which could be because of the developments in the romance!
Synopsis: As Hannah and Mike experience engaged life while balancing their busy careers, a murder at a 24-hour gym complicates their wedding planning. – via Hallmark+
CARROT CAKE MURDER: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY, 2023
User Rating: 6.2
Synopsis: The discovery of a skeleton in an old building leads to a murder investigation. – via Hallmark+
A ZEST for DEATH: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY, 2023
User Rating: 6.8
Synopsis: Hannah solves a murder while her relationship with Mike is on the rocks. – via Hallmark+
ONE BAD APPLE: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY, 2024
User Rating: 6.5
The second kind of “rebrand” title, this one marked the introduction of Victor Webster’s character. Chad Norton becomes Hannah’s new co-conspirator in crime solving and eventually, by all accounts, he becomes her new crush, too.
Synopsis: Hannah meets a new side of law & order as she investigates a murder and crosses paths with by-the-books prosecuting attorney Chad Norton. Meanwhile, Delores has a secret. – via Hallmark+
A SPRINKLE of DECEIT: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY, 2024
User Rating: 6.5
Synopsis: Hannah and Chad flirt with their own paths to solve the same murder while working to clear a colleague who is implicated in the crime. Meanwhile, Delores gets her big break. – via Hallmark+
REALITY BITES: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY, 2025
User Rating: 6.5
Synopsis: Hannah’s favorite reality show takes over The Cookie Jar. When the producer is found dead, Hannah and Norman team up to track down the killer. – via Hallmark+
PIE to DIE FOR: A HANNAH SWENSEN MYSTERY, 2025
User Rating: 6.4
Synopsis: When Hannah’s customer and Delores’ theater rival is murdered, Hannah must find her killer in order to save her mother’s reputation. Meanwhile, Chad and Hannah’s romance blossoms. – via Hallmark+
SUGAR & VICE: A HANNAH SWENSON MYSTERY, 2026
A 2026 installment, this one traps Hannah with a possible killer! It’s also the thirteenth title in this franchise, an impressive number given this is a series that underwent that aforementioned revamp.
Synopsis: Hannah finds a body at the grand re-opening of the Lake Eden Inn. When a storm traps everyone inside, Hannah must find the culprit before the road clears and the killer escapes. – via Hallmark Press
BEST SERVED COLD: A HANNAH SWENSON MYSTERY, 2026
There is also another (the 14th!) Hannah Swensen Mystery that has also wrapped filming and made its debut in 2026 (might there be another before the year ends?). This one follows the same cast patterns and has Hannah helping her boyfriend, Chad, as he takes over the case of a missing attorney.
Synopsis: When a suspect in a forgery case is murdered and the prosecutor goes missing, Hannah and Chad must uncover how the two cases are connected and solve them in time for the trial. – Hallmark+
Stream, at publication, all of these titles with Hallmark+
Photos: Hallmark Media
Ok, it’s now your turn! How many of these have you seen? Would you watch them all? Which ones seem most interesting? Comment all of your thoughts below! Let’s talk.
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Note; this list was updated on May 17, 2026 to reflect the latest May 16, 2026 Hannah Swensen movie debut.
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