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Fireball Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cupcakes

on November 3, 2020

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Purchase CAKE POPPED OFF! $2.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited

 

Synopsis

Cupcake caterer Emory Martinez is hosting a Halloween bash alongside her octogenarian employer, Tillie. With guests dressed in elaborate costumes, the band is rocking, the cocktails are flowing, and tempers are flaring when the hired Bavarian Barmaid tries to hook a rich, hapless husband. Except one of her targets happens to be Emory’s brother-in-law, which bodes ill for his pregnant wife. When Emory tracks down the distraught barmaid, instead of finding the young woman in tears, she finds her dead. Can she explain to the new detective on the scene why the Bavarian Barmaid was murdered in Emory’s bathtub with Emory’s Poison Apple Cake Pops stuffed into her mouth?

With an angry pregnant sister to contend with, she promises to clear her brother-in-law’s name. As Emory starts asking questions and tracking down the identity of the costumed guests, she finds reasons to suspect her brother-in-law has been hiding a guilty secret. Her search leads her to a web of blackmail and betrayal amongst the posh setting of the local country club crowd. Can Emory sift through the lies she’s being told and find the killer? She’ll need to step up her investigation before another victim is sent to the great pumpkin patch in the sky.

Includes spooky Halloween recipes!

 

 

 

 

I’m celebrating with another giveaway, winner’s choice of SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION, the first book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series or CAKE POPPED OFF (use the Rafflecopter below to enter). Contest ends Sunday, November 08, 2020 and print is limited to U.S. residents. All others will be awarded an ebook.

 

 

 

 

Fireball Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cupcakes combine the flavors of fall with the bite of warming cinnamon whiskey. These cocktail cupcakes are perfect for imbibing in front of a cozy fire or sharing with friends as you celebrate autumn. Recipe created by Kim Davis, author of CAKE POPPED OFF.

 

The opening scene of CAKE POPPED OFF features my real-life attempt at creating Fireball Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cupcakes. It wasn’t long afterward that my husband placed not one, but two fire extinguishers in my kitchen. Fortunately, I’ve never had to use them nor was there any damage to my oven or myself from the flambé. Since I ran out of time to correct the recipe before the book published, I did not include it. Since then, I’ve tinkered around and was able to perfect the cupcakes. I’m happy to share the delicious result here. And be sure to check out an excerpt from the first chapter at the bottom of the page!

 

Fireball Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cupcakes combine the flavors of fall with the bite of warming cinnamon whiskey. These cocktail cupcakes are perfect for imbibing in front of a cozy fire or sharing with friends as you celebrate autumn. Recipe created by Kim Davis, author of CAKE POPPED OFF.

Print
Fireball Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cupcakes

With the flavors of fall and the bite of warming cinnamon whiskey, these cocktail cupcakes are perfect for imbibing in front of a cozy fire or sharing with friends as you celebrate autumn.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Ingredients
Cupcakes
  • 1-3/4 cups (7.8 ounces by weight) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 2/3 cup (4.7 ounces) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon finely ground instant coffee (such as Starbucks Via)
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey
Frosting
  • 4 tablespoons Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely ground instant coffee (such as Starbucks Via)
  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (omit of you use salted butter)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 cups (17.75 ounces) confectioners' sugar
  • 1 - 3 teaspoons Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey (if needed to adjust frosting consistency)
Instructions
Cupcakes
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together. Set aside.

  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the brown sugar, eggs, and instant coffee together. Beat in the pumpkin, vegetable oil, and Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey until combined.

  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.

  5. Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners and bake for 17 - 20 minutes. A skewer inserted into the center of the cupcakes should come out mostly clean. A few moist crumbs clinging to the skewer is okay.

  6. Cool the cupcakes in the tin for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting
  1. While the cupcakes bake, mix 4 tablespoons Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey and instant coffee together in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 20 seconds then stir to dissolve the coffee. Refrigerate to cool completely before making the frosting.

  2. In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter, salt, and cinnamon together.

  3. Beat in half the confectioners' sugar. Once incorporated add 2 tablespoons of the chilled Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey mixture. Repeat with the remaining confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon whiskey mixture, beating well to incorporate.

  4. If frosting is too thick, add remaining Fireball and coffee mixture. If the frosting is still too thick, add additional Fireball Whiskey, 1 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Beat the frosting until creamy, about 4 minutes.

  5. Pipe thick swirls of frosting over completely cooled cupcakes.

Fireball Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cupcakes combine the flavors of fall with the bite of warming cinnamon whiskey. These cocktail cupcakes are perfect for imbibing in front of a cozy fire or sharing with friends as you celebrate autumn. Recipe created by Kim Davis, author of CAKE POPPED OFF.

 

 

 

 

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

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Fireball Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cupcakes combine the flavors of fall with the bite of warming cinnamon whiskey. These cocktail cupcakes are perfect for imbibing in front of a cozy fire or sharing with friends as you celebrate autumn. Recipe created by Kim Davis, author of CAKE POPPED OFF.

 

 

 

Cake Popped Off! Chapter One Excerpt

A low roar filled my ears right before a whoosh of hot blue flames raced toward my face. Blistering heat singed my bangs, but I stood still, rooted in place. I couldn’t move. My mind screamed for me to get a fire extinguisher, except I had no idea which cabinet held it. Large hands shoved me aside then slammed the oven door shut. I watched, mesmerized, as the flames flickered out.

“What are you trying to do, burn my grandmother’s house down?” The deep voice sounded angry.

I turned to see dark-green eyes that smoldered in a classically handsome face. A scowl created furrow lines in his forehead that his carefully coiffed blond hair didn’t quite cover up. He must have been the heir apparent to the Skyler family business and fortune. I had been warned about him… by his own grandmother. Just my luck he had caught me in the middle of a bad cupcake experiment.

“Uh, no. That was definitely an accident.” I held out my hand. “I’m Emory Martinez. Thanks for putting out the flambé.”

He looked at my offered hand, studied my ample figure, then turned away. Apparently, he didn’t want to get his impeccably manicured fingers sticky with the smear of buttercream on my palm. After I washed and dried my hands, I smoothed my frizzy red hair away from my face. I had made an impression, but unfortunately, it wasn’t a good one.

“What’s all this?” He gestured at the row of liquor bottles lined up on the butcher block island. “My grandmother isn’t supposed to consume more than four ounces of red wine with dinner each day. Has my father allowed an alcoholic to care for my grandmother?”

My face burned, and I wished someone had warned me that Theodore Preston Skyler was going to make a surprise visit. I would’ve scurried back to my pool house after preparing his grandmother’s breakfast and hidden until the coast was clear. The man seemed as pretentious as his name.

“No, definitely not. I almost never drink.” That might have been true up until almost three months ago. However, since I’d moved there to care for Tillie, the feisty octogenarian had made it her mission to educate me on the finer points of creating then sipping cocktails every evening by the pool. Tillie’s favorite, the gimlet, had become one of mine. Of course, her son and grandson’s recommendation that she limit herself to four ounces of wine with dinner had been met with outright disdain from the woman herself. When I voiced my concern, Tillie assured me that her doctor saw no reason to limit her consumption to the small quantity because she was in perfect health.

“Well, what is all this alcohol doing in the kitchen? Are you stealing from my grandmother?”

“No! These are my own supplies. Tillie—”

“That would be Mrs. Skyler to you, Ms. Martinez,” said the pompous man, who was only a few years older than my twenty-eight. “I’ll have a talk with my father. It’s obvious you’re not the right sort of caretaker for this position.”

My stomach clenched, and my mouth went bone-dry. Ever since I’d discovered that my no-good cheating husband was having an affair with my supposed best friend, my life had spiraled out of control. This job had been a second chance for me to get back on my feet, and I truly loved the elderly woman I lived with. Besides, if I got fired, my mother would kill me.

“You’ll do no such thing, Teddy.” His grandmother marched past her grandson and stood at my side to face him. “This is between your father and me. We both happen to think Emory is perfect for the job.”

He blanched. “Grandmother, please call me Theodore. It’s absurd that I have to keep reminding you.”

“You’ll be called Teddy until you remember to call me Grams or at least Tillie. Honestly, ‘Grandmother’ reminds me of my former mother-in-law, and those memories are best forgotten.”

I cringed. Words like “forgotten,” “memories,” and “remember” were best not brought up. Her son thought she suffered from dementia and wanted me to spy on her so they could move her into a care facility. It appeared her pretentious grandson shared or hoped for the same outcome. I wondered if both men were after her money and property. Despite what they thought, Tillie’s mind was as sharp as a tack, and she lived life to the fullest. It would crush her to lose her independence.

I tuned out their bickering as they went back to the living room to wait for David Skyler, Tillie’s son, to arrive. He’d scheduled a family meeting and requested that I prepare muffins and tea for his sons and mother. Since it was autumn, I had baked pumpkin-spice muffins and put them in the warming drawer. Tillie had recommended a chai blend from her favorite tea shop, and I would steep the tea when Mr. Skyler arrived.

Mr. Skyler paid my generous salary and allowed me to live in Tillie’s luxurious pool house. In exchange, I cooked for his mother and did some accounting and administrative chores for him. The arrangement suited me and left me plenty of time to experiment, bake, and deliver the cupcakes for my fledgling cupcake catering company.

My specialty was creating cupcakes that tasted like cocktails. Fireball Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cupcakes had been the morning’s experiment. Apparently, I had used too much Fireball in the recipe, which had caused it to flambé. I giggled when I realized the whiskey had lived up to its name. Unfortunately, the centers of the little cakes had cratered like giant sinkholes when I removed them from the oven.

I needed to get the recipe right, since I planned to showcase them at Tillie’s Halloween party the following evening, two weeks before the actual holiday. I hoped the cupcakes would generate some new orders from the seventy-five guests. My sister would cater the party food while I provided the desserts. Besides the Fireball Cupcakes, I planned to make Poison Apple Cupcakes and Poison Apple Cake Pops. Smashed Pumpkin Cupcakes were already in the refrigerator, ready to be consumed. Tillie had arranged for a live band and a bartender, which was more evidence of her living life to the fullest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fireball Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cupcakes combine the flavors of fall with the bite of warming cinnamon whiskey. These cocktail cupcakes are perfect for imbibing in front of a cozy fire or sharing with friends as you celebrate autumn. Recipe created by Kim Davis, author of CAKE POPPED OFF.

 

« Pumpkin Spice Waffles
Butterscotch Cookies »

50 thoughts on “Fireball Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cupcakes”

  1. Lisa Cobb Sabatini says:
    November 3, 2020 at 4:10 am

    What a fun series!
    I prefer Cake Popped Off.

  2. Sarah Woodhouse says:
    November 3, 2020 at 5:05 am

    I haven’t read either yet so would like to start off with Sprinkles of Suspicion. Please and thank you if I win of course lol

  3. Celia Fowler says:
    November 3, 2020 at 5:40 am

    I’d love to have Cake Popped Off. Thanks for the giveaway and recipe!

  4. Karen B says:
    November 3, 2020 at 7:02 am

    Cake Popped Off. Thanks for the chance to win.

  5. Brenda says:
    November 3, 2020 at 7:24 am

    Hi! Thanks for this great chance! You are a new author for me but I’ve been trying to win your books for awhile! 😊 I don’t know which book I’d like better since I haven’t had the chance to read them yet but I’m hoping this time will be time to win!! Thanks again! Have a great day!

  6. Dawn P. says:
    November 3, 2020 at 7:27 am

    I would love a copy of “Sprinkles of Suspicion”! Sprinkles always made me happy! Omgosh, those cupcakes sound delicious! Thanks for the chance to win.

  7. Cinda Unruh says:
    November 3, 2020 at 7:39 am

    Sprinkles of Suspicion sounds good.

  8. kim hansen says:
    November 3, 2020 at 7:51 am

    Sprinkles of Suspicion

  9. Lynn Brown says:
    November 3, 2020 at 8:20 am

    Cake Popped off. Either one would be good because I haven’t read them. Cute covers .Thanks for the chance.

  10. Tina Young says:
    November 3, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Print copy of Sprinkles of Suspicion. Thank you!

  11. Kathleen Walsh says:
    November 3, 2020 at 8:42 am

    Sprinkles of Suspicion

  12. Nancy says:
    November 3, 2020 at 10:44 am

    I don’t tweet!

  13. Nancy says:
    November 3, 2020 at 10:45 am

    I’d prefer Sprinkles of Suspicion.

  14. Mary C says:
    November 3, 2020 at 10:53 am

    Sprinkles of Suspicion

  15. Jana Leah says:
    November 3, 2020 at 10:56 am

    I prefer Sprinkles of Suspicion.

  16. Sherry Brown says:
    November 3, 2020 at 12:04 pm

    Cupcakes looks delicious!! Thank you for the recipe and giveaway!!!

  17. Marci Konecny says:
    November 3, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    I would love Cake Popped Off! I have made these before! I made them for my friend’s 40th birthday and they were fantastic!

  18. Darlene Peterson says:
    November 3, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    My choice would be SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION, the first book in the Cupcake Catering Mystery series since I’m not familiar with that series. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. I think I’d like to try those cupcakes.

  19. Dianne Casey says:
    November 3, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    I would like to read “Caked Popped Off”.

  20. Karen M says:
    November 3, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    I would like Cake Popped Off. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

  21. Jacquie says:
    November 3, 2020 at 4:38 pm

    i prefer Cake Popped Off

  22. Linda Kish says:
    November 3, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    I haven’t read Sprinkles of Suspicion yet. I think I’d prefer that first.

  23. Candy Kennedy says:
    November 3, 2020 at 9:02 pm

    I would like Sprinkles of Suspicion if I win.

  24. Vivian Furbay says:
    November 4, 2020 at 4:25 am

    I haven’t read either but they sound interesting.

  25. Lois Becker says:
    November 4, 2020 at 6:19 am

    Sprinkles of Suspicion would be my choice. Thanks for the chance.

  26. Merry says:
    November 4, 2020 at 7:35 am

    I would prefer Sprinkles of Suspicion

  27. Teresa Warner says:
    November 4, 2020 at 9:49 am

    Sprinkles of Suspicion!

  28. Brenda Ellis says:
    November 4, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Cake Popped Off!

  29. Kim says:
    November 4, 2020 at 11:11 am

    Thank you for the opportunity! 😊 And recipes

  30. Cathy Inboden says:
    November 4, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    If these are books and not e-books then I would like to have Sprinkles Of Suspicon. I have both in e-books. Thank you for the chance

    • Kim says:
      November 5, 2020 at 6:52 am

      These are print books for U.S. residents and ebooks for everyone else.

  31. Gloria Browning says:
    November 4, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    I would enjoy either book since I have not started the series.
    Beautiful cupcakes! I bet they are tasty too!

  32. Jess D says:
    November 4, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    I haven’t started the series yet but I would love to start with the first book.I prefer print books. Thanks for the chance!

  33. holdenj says:
    November 5, 2020 at 3:35 am

    I would like Cake Popped Off, thanks! The cupcakes look delicious!

  34. Linda May says:
    November 5, 2020 at 4:06 am

    I prefer Sprinkles of Suspicion, Thanks for your great generosity. I definitely need to try this recipe.

  35. Sharon Whaley says:
    November 5, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    Cake Popped Off but really either

  36. Jessica Wallace says:
    November 6, 2020 at 6:40 pm

    Cake popped off! I will for sure be making these!

  37. Hesper Fry says:
    November 6, 2020 at 7:25 pm

    They both sound great, but I will go with Sprinkles of Suspicion since it is the first book in the series.

  38. Nicole says:
    November 6, 2020 at 8:43 pm

    The covers are amazing on both books. They make me want to curl up with a furry friend and enjoy an evening of reading. I do like to start series off with the the first book so I can enjoy every moment of the characters that are being introduced so I would prefer Sprinkles of Suspicion. Thank you for giving a chance to win a book and sharing yummy looking recipies.

  39. NANCY says:
    November 6, 2020 at 9:03 pm

    Cake Popped Off

  40. Carolsue says:
    November 7, 2020 at 12:18 am

    I would like SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION. Thanks!

  41. Annemarie Z. says:
    November 7, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    I would love Caked Popped Off!

  42. Mia J says:
    November 7, 2020 at 8:54 pm

    I think I would like Sprinkles of Suspicion although they both sound good.

  43. alessandro pampolino says:
    November 7, 2020 at 11:53 pm

    awesome caked popped off

  44. Valerie Berns says:
    November 8, 2020 at 2:06 am

    This looks so good I’m making them today. Would love to win. Thanks for chance 🙂

  45. Valerie Berns says:
    November 8, 2020 at 2:07 am

    I forgot to say cake popped off 🙂

  46. Stephanie Ludwig says:
    November 8, 2020 at 9:12 am

    Cake popped off.

  47. Karrie Smith says:
    November 8, 2020 at 9:32 am

    This is so nice and I love sprinkles.

  48. Dana A says:
    November 8, 2020 at 11:51 am

    Cake popped off

  49. Betty Curran says:
    November 8, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    I would like SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION

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About Kim Davis

I love to bake all sorts of treats and on occasion indulge my inner artist by decorating cakes and cookies. Follow along with me for recipes, and creative inspiration in the kitchen along with reviews on what mystery I'm reading.

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