I’ll admit it…I’m not a huge fan of Halloween EXCEPT for the fun goodies and treats and the cute little kids dressed up so adorably. I’ll pass on the scary clowns and bloodied zombies, thank you very much.
That said, Pamela DuMond has written a zany Halloween treat with lots of tricks thrown in to entertain the reader in CUPCAKES, BATS, AND SCARE-DY CATS! This sixth book in the Annie Graceland Cozy Mystery series is lighthearted with laugh out moments and quirky ghosts that kept me entertained. Annie is a thoroughly likable protagonist with a good heart. As much as she gets annoyed with ghosts wanting her to help solve their murder or help them find “the light”, she still finds sympathy to help, even though she may have truly disliked the person while they were alive. There is plenty of action happening to move the plot along and enough suspects to keep it interesting. The supporting characters in this book are a hoot, from her friends to her huge Himalayan mix cat, Theodore von Pumpernickle, and the dog she’s watching. Pamela has an interesting twist in this book: not only is the point of view from Annie’s, but she also includes the point of view from the animals. Don’t worry, it’s not confusing at all as each short chapter clearly delineates each character.
In addition to a fun read, Pamela provides several yummy recipes (including my recipe for Cherry Dream Pie!) with the book. Since it’s Halloween season, she has graciously allowed me to share the recipe for Spooky Surprise (Cookie Dough) Cupcakes, developed by Laura Devries. A delicious chocolate cupcake encases a gooey chocolate chip cookie dough center. The vanilla buttercream is light and fluffy, the perfect medium for making ghosts or puffy clouds to hold flying bats! Wishing you a spooktacular Halloween!
Since the e-book for CUPCAKES, BATS, AND SCARE-DY CATS is currently on sale for $0.99, Pamela is generously offering a print copy for one lucky winner AND an e-book copy of her brand new release, TO LIVE AND LET LIE! Read below for the synopsis for both these books.
Cupcakes, Bats, and Scare-dy Cats
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Annie Graceland has a pinch of psychic ability… it turns out her cat, Theodore, does too!
Annie’s dog sitting for her new neighbor, but her creepy apartment manager, Anthony Spiggottini, accuses her of violating the “No Dogs Allowed” lease, and threatens to evict her. She’s at a Halloween party when Anthony busts into her place, and literally lets the dog and cat out! She’d gladly have killed him, but someone beats her to it. Now Annie’s desperately searching for her lost cat while dealing with Anthony’s ghost who refuses to accept he’s dead.
It’s a good thing she doesn’t know that Theodore her cat, Mozart the dog, and Bloody Mary, (the spirit cat they conjured), are running loose on Venice streets, sniffing out Anthony’s murder suspects!
To Live and Let Lie: A Theodore von Pumpernickel Secret Agent Cat Mystery
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Theodore von Pumpernickle looks like a mild mannered, domesticated, long-haired cat living a quiet life in the seaside village of Venice Beach, California.
Looks can be deceiving, can’t they?
In reality, Theodore is a Secret Agent Cat Double O Nine, working undercover for the Pet Intelligence Agency (P.I.A.) spying on evil masterminds and diabolical geniuses that seek chaos and world domination.
When Theodore’s bejeweled cat food bowl (worth ONE MILLION DOLLARS) is stolen, he takes on an international cartel of criminals trafficking in priceless stolen jewels.
With the help of other P.I.A. agents: Flyby the carrier pigeon, Mozart the German shepherd dog, and Susan — the eighty-five year old Super Spy, Theodore dives into dangerous espionage waters where he is forced to use all his Double O Nine brains, brawn, and special gadgets.
Will the evil masterminds and their minions win at last — or will Theodore von Pumpernickel, Secret Agent Cat save the day?
A huge thank you to Pamela DuMond for providing a print copy of CUPCAKES, BATS, AND SCARE-DY CATS to one winner AND an e-book copy of TO LIVE AND LET LIE to one winner! Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe for a chance to win. Contest ends Monday, October 10, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!) Print copy open to U.S. residents only.
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large pasteurized eggs OR equal amount liquid egg substitute (3-1/2 ounces)*
- 2 cups chocolate chips (mini or regular)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2-3/4 cups cake flour
- 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder, sifted
- 1-1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 3 - 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
- A pinch of salt
- 2 - 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
- Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy.
- Add eggs (or egg substitute) one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Gradually beat in flour mixture.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Using a tablespoon as a guide, scoop balls of cookie dough onto waxed paper or parchment and place in a container that will fit in your freezer.
- Once all of the cookie dough is scooped, place in the freezer for at least 1 hour or until completely frozen.
- *Using pasteurized eggs or liquid egg substitute will reduce any potential hazard that might result from using raw eggs. However, egg-free cookie dough can be used. Any uncooked or undercooked meat or egg product carries potential risk. Take appropriate precautions and safety measures as necessary.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
- In a large bowl or bowl of a standing mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and eggs. Mix on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Add oil and mix thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pudding mix, and cocoa powder.
- Add half the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
- Add half the milk to the mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
- Repeat with remaining flour and milk.
- Fill baking cups 2/3 full and and add a ball of frozen cookie dough to each cupcake just before placing into the oven.
- Bake for 18 - 22 minutes (in a standard oven, less for convection ovens) until a toothpick inserted at the edge comes out clean. (Inserting in the center will not give an accurate reading as cookie dough will be gooey.)
- Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting and decorating.
- Place softened butter into the bowl of a stand mixer that has been fitted with the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on medium setting and cream the butter until it is smooth and has lightened in color, about 3 minutes.
- Add confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.
- Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- After each cup of confectioners' sugar has been incorporated, turn the mixer onto the highest speed setting for about 10 seconds to lighten the frosting.
- Add milk until the frosting has reached the preferred consistency.
- For a firmer frosting, add more confectioners' sugar, a 1/4 cup at a time. For softer frosting, add more milk, a tablespoon at a time.
- Apply to cupcakes after they have cooled.
- Serve fresh, or cover and refrigerate.
- While this recipe is lengthy, you can prepare it in stages by making the cookie dough up to a month ahead of time. Make the dough and freeze the cookie dough balls. Once frozen solid, place the dough balls into a freezer-safe Ziplock bag. You can also prepare the buttercream frosting a few days ahead of time but be sure to rewhip it right before using.
- To make the bat decorations, separate Oreo cookies and remove the frosting from the middle. Cut each circle in half for the wings. Attach a candy eye to one tip of each piece. Position 2 cookie halves on each cupcake.
- Bake any extra cookie dough at 350 degrees (F) for 8 - 11 minutes, until slightly golden.
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I don’t have an e-reader, but I would love a print copy. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d love to have an e-book copy of To Live And Let Lie.
These Spooky Surprise (Cookie Dough) Cupcakes are so cute!
My book club has a Halloween party and I think these would be great to bring to the party.
Thank You!
print copy, thanks for thechance.
Print for me please my oldie eyes don’t like ereaders. This sounds great thanks
Penney
Either would be fine, but I think I’d prefer the Cupcakes,…
This cupcake recipe is very clever.
I was hoping for a picture of a cupcake cut in half
Thanks for asking about that! I did take a photo but decided my post was too long to include. I’ve now put it up and you’re right, it should be there since this is such a unique cupcake idea!
So glad to see it.
Just as I’d hoped, it’s marvelously clever.
I prefer the print copy of Scare-dy Cats.
I prefer a print copy but I do have a Kindle Fire. This is a new author and book to
me so I am glad you included it on your blog. Thank you also for the giveaway. I
hope I’m lucky enough to win a copy of the book for my own.
I prefer a print copy but I do have an e-reader. This is a new author to
me. Thank you also for the giveaway. Thanks for all your reviews.
I like print copy books the best and I would like to read Scare-dy Cats. 🙂
I would love to have an ebook copy of to Live and Let die…not that I don’t like both lol…thank you for the contest and the recipe.
Marilyn [email protected]
The recipes are to die for! Thank you for sharing! I would love an ecopy of To Live and Let Die!
I prefer the print copy of Scare-dy Cats. My iPad is finiky… Thanks!
[email protected]
I would like a print copy of Scare-dy Cats, please. And thank you for the chance to win it.
Those cupcakes are the cutest Kim! Thank you for the intro to a new-to-me author and for a chance to win #6 in her series. Print copy if I should win please.
I would prefer a print copy of Scare-dy Cats. Thank you!
I prefer a print copy of “Scar-dy Cats”. Ebooks are too hard on the eyes.
I would love the print copy of Scare-dy cats! Thank you!!!
Really would love to receive a print copy of Scare-dy casts thanks!!!
Both books sound wonderful! And these cupcakes look delish!
Thanks for featuring my books on your very cute blog! So happy to be here.
xoxo
Pamela DuMond
It’s my pleasure having your fun book and the perfect for Halloween cupcakes! Both were delightful to read and make!
Print copy of scare-dy cats! Please
I have both books and love them but wanted to say thanks for the recipe! Theodore von Pumpernickle is such a hoot! I love that while most of the book could be his imagination, he really does solve the mystery, cozy mystery style. I hope you have a much fun reading it is I did.
what a fun recipe to try with the granddaughters. I would prefer the print copy please and thank you for the chance!
What a fun series! Those cupcakes look great too. Another cozy to put on my to read list!
Thanks for the recipe and a chance to win a fun book
What a great book to read during the Halloween season. I’d like a print copy of Scare-dy Cat.
I would prefer the print copy of Scare-dy Cats
print copy please of this book that looks really good!
I would prefer the print copy of Scare-dy Cats
Print books are da Bomb Diggity! This is an awesome recipe & pretty nifty post- Thanks!
Cheers-
Kelly Braun
A print copy of “Scare-dy Cats” because that is the phrase that was coined for my little girl. Pesky. She earned that name. And she lives up to that name.
I would prefer print copy
I’d love to win a copy of this book! I’d also like to have a few Halloween cupcakes! They’re so cute/spooky!
The print copy would be my first choice.
I don’t think I could pull those cupcakes off but they look delish!!!! I love books with a witchy twist to them too! 🙂
I’d prefer a printed book because I can’t read e-books. My only Internet access is at the library and I have no way to read an e-book at home.