The countdown to the release of CAKE POPPED OFF is happening now and I’m celebrating with a fun Halloween cookie recipe and giveaways!
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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.
To celebrate the upcoming release, I’m giving away winner’s choice of either print or an e-book copy of SPRINKLES OF SUSPICION (the first in the series) plus a $10 Amazon gift card. Please use the Rafflecopter below. Unfortunately, due to shipping costs, print is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Saturday, September 19, 2020.
From the time my granddaughter was 18 months old, I’ve enjoyed introducing her to fun cookie crafts that we can do together, especially holiday-themed cookies. I developed this recipe and design because the cookies are super easy (only 3 ingredients!) and since they whip up and bake so quickly, your ghost and ghouls can get to the fun part and start decorating… and eating these yummy Halloween Black Cat Cookies. And if you don’t want to decorate, these soft and chewy cookies are delicious on their own!
A yummy and fun Halloween decorating project for kids!
- 1 (15.25 ounce) package Devil's Food cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (either natural or dutch will work)
- 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 3 - 4 tablespoons milk or half-and-half
- Chocolate jimmies for fur
- Mini M & M candies for eyes
- Candy Corns for ears
- Licorice shoestring laces, cut into 1-1/2" pieces for whiskers
- Candy heart sprinkles, conversation hearts, mini red M & M's, or mini jelly beans for nose
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Add the cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs to a large bowl and stir until well combined.
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Roll the dough into 2-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet at least 3 inches apart.
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Bake for 7 - 9 minutes.
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Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and allow to completely cool before frosting and decorating.
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Using an electric mixer, whip the butter until smooth (1 - 2 minutes).
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Add the cocoa powder and beat for an additional 2 minutes.
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On low speed, alternating, add 1/3 the confectioners' sugar to the butter mixture and beat until smooth. Add in 1 tablespoons milk (or half-and-half) then continue alternating with the remaining confectioners' sugar and milk.
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If frosting is too thick, add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time until a spreadable consistency is acquired. You don't want it too thin but frosting shouldn't be so thick it won't spread on cookie. Once desired consistency is reached, beat the frosting for 1 minute.
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Working with 1 cookie at a time, spread chocolate frosting over the top of a cookie. Immediately sprinkle an outline of chocolate jimmies along the outside edge of the cookie to represent fur.
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Position 2 upside down candy corns near the top of the cookie for the ears. Position 2 mini M & M candies for the eyes and place a dab of chocolate frosting in the center of the M & M's for the pupils, or draw using an edible marker.
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Place either a red candy heart or a red M & M in the lower center of the cookie for the nose and add 3 short licorice shoestring laces to each side of the nose to represent whiskers.
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Allow the frosting to set. Position cookies in a single layer on a serving platter.
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Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If necessary to stack cookies for storing, place a sheet of waxed paper between each layer.
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Adorable! have made many cake mix cookies in my day, but never so cute! I would prefer a print copy, thanks.
This book truly sounds like fun!
I prefer print.
Thanks for writing wonderful books!
I prefer e-books.
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the chance!
These cookies will make the perfect Halloween treat.
Print
My granddaughter is moving closer to me and these cookies will be perfect for us to make together! I would prefer a paperback I love the cover and I know my granddaughter will love it too! Thanks for the chance!
Your black cat cookies are so cute, and I can’t wait to read this book! Ebook for me ~
Print copy for me. Since I’ve been fortunate enough to read this wonderful book, if I won I get a two bonus’. I’d have an excellent present to give my BFF AND I’d have a gift card to use to buy another book for me.
Thank you for the chance!
This looks good. I prefer ecopy Thanks
Those cookies are so cute and creative! And I love the book cover! I would prefer a print copy. Thanks for the chance to win!
This is such a cute idea! Thank you for the fun recipe, my kiddos will love it.
I only read print books. Thank you for the recipe and the contest! Keep writing as we all love your books!
I prefer print copy.
Print copy please and thank you!
I only read print books and these cookies are adorable!
I much prefer print books I adore those cookies.
Sounds good thanks for the recipe I’ll have to try it. Print is fine or eBook Amazon, which ever is easy for you I don’t mind
Penney
What a fun giveaway! And the cat cookies are adorable. I’d prefer a print copy, please.
I would love a print copy to send to a friend who loves cozies like me!
Congratulations. So happy for you. I love homemade cookies so much! Such a cute idea for the grandkids to make! Thank you.
Congrats on your upcoming release! I prefer a print copy, please. Thanks for the giveaway!
If I were lucky enough to win I’d love a print book as I can use that under my magnifier high intensity light to help with my vision limitations! Thank you so much.
Cynthia
I read both, but prefer print.
Print copy for me and thank you
Print please and love the recipe!
I prefer a print copy.
I prefer a print copy.
I prefer a print copy.
Print please. Thanks for the chance. It sounds cute.
Print, please.
This cookies look so yummy! I will try out this recipe for sure. Thank you for this chance to win.
Print copy. The recipe sounds great! Thank you for this chance!
These cookies are adorable! I would prefer print please!
I’d love a print copy! Thanks for the chance!
I am much more likely to read a print book.
Cute cookies! I prefer a print copy of the book. Thanks for the chance.
I prefer print, please.
I prefer print. Thanks!
I usually prefer ebooks, but I never turn down a physical book!
eBook, thanks!
I prefer e book
I love print! I read both but there is nothing like actually turning them pages!
Sorry I forgot to include print book on my entry earlier.
Print! I love to hold, feel and smell a book in my hands. This sounds like so much fun! Thank you for sharing. =)
Those cookies look perfect for Halloween. It’s one of my favorite holidays and I can’t wait to celebrate it! I prefer print.
I love making cake mix cookies, fast —but yummy! I preordered.
i prefer print those are so cute!!
I prefer a print copy. My first thought when I saw the Halloween Cat cookies was that they’d be just perfect to take to my October book club meeting.
Thanks for the chance to win a print copy of this book.
The cookies are adorable and look yummy!
I prefer a print copy. Those cookies are cute and look great.
I really enjoyed your 1st book in this series. Looking forward to this one! I prefer print if I’m the lucky winner. Thanks for the chance.
I prefer an e-book.
Print Copy Please! Thank you.
I prefer a print copy.
I prefer a print book.
Print please!
I prefer a print copy. Thank you
I prefer print copy. I do not own an e-reader.
A Print copy since I do not have an e-reader of any kind to put an e-book onto
I PREFER A PRINT COPY.
I only read print. I love books.
Ebook,please
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the chance!
I prefer print.
Print copy for me please. The cookie recipe I like and yours turned out so cute can’t wait to make them.?
I prefer a print copy. Thanks for the giveaway!
I prefer ebooks.
I prefer a print copy.
Print copy please
I prefer print.
i would choose the print copy of it
I prefer a book!
I would love a kindle copy but I like print too. Congratulations and thanks for the adorable and yummy recipe!!
I prefer a print copy
Print copy~
I would like print copy, please!
I prefer print but I do read e-books
I prefer print thanks!!
I prefer a print copy!
I would prefer a print copy. Thank you!
I prefer print if I can find space in my overflowing bookcases.
I would prefer an e-book copy.
I prefer print books.
I would rather have print copies of books even tho my room is full of books I still want more to read
I prefer a print copy.
I prefer print copy of books.