Gertie’s Cupcakes – part 3

When I released Dowser #1 in June 2013, I was completely blown away by a few readers who emailed to tell me that they’d felt compelled to bake cupcakes while reading the book. I’ve previously blogged about Michelle’s and Gertie’s – book 1 and Gertie’s – book 2.

Since then, Gertie has taken it upon herself to form the ‘Cupcake Support Committee’. It’s a thankless job, but she is obviously seriously devoted ;)!!!

Here is her contribution for Dowser 3 (posted on Flickr). They look insanely good, as all of Gertie’s cupcakes do. She puts my icing efforts to shame.

Thanks for sharing Gertie!

If you bake while reading the Dowser Series I would love to know about it!!

Dowser 2: Cozy in a Cup

Updated recipe: April 18, 2016

CozyinaCup_postcardsize_recipe

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Original post:

As previously mentioned, four new cupcakes appear in Jade’s bakery, Cake in a Cup, during Trinkets (Etc). Jade attempts to create two other types as the story progresses, but is unsatisfied with the results. If you like reading into a character’s actions, the four successful cupcakes paired with the two unsuccessful will let you know a lot about Jade’s mindset in Dowser #2.

I originally shared this recipe in a guest post on The Reading Cafe.

These are Cozy in a Cup and they are my FAVOURITE are recipe from Dowser #2. They’re insanely good! I might just have to make a batch today. I really shouldn’t blog while hungry!!

Cupcakes featured in Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic

– Comfort in a Cup

– Cozy in a Cup (above)

– Solace in a Cup

– Serenity in a Cup (to come)

Gertie’s Cupcakes

I’m slightly delayed in sharing, but Gertie made these gorgeous classic chocolate cupcakes with coffee buttercream frosting to help celebrate the release of Trinkets (Etc).

Trinkets Cupcakes 2013 by apocalypsewhenever

Trinkets Cupcakes 2013, a photo by apocalypsewhenever on Flickr.

I’m a little ashamed that your cupcakes always look so much prettier than mine, Gertie!!

Comfort in a Cup

Here is the first of four new cupcakes that appear in the second Dowser book, Trinkets, Treasures, and Other Bloody Magic. Which, BTW – nine days ahead of schedule – is now available over on Amazon (because Amazon rocks – ha!)

Banana Cake

Three more cupcakes to come!

ETA: Jen just asked in the comments if the cake could be baked in cake pans. The answer is yes. All the cake recipes posted to the blog can be baked in cake pans instead. The icing recipes also yield enough to ice a cake.

Directions I gave Jen: Grease and flour two 8 or 9 inch round pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean from the centre). Cool for about ten minutes, then pop the cake out of the pans. I have this trick where I line the cake pans with parchment paper (I trace the cake pan on the paper then cut out a circle). I grease and flour the pan, but then I lay the parchment in as well (then pour in the batter). After you bake and cool the cake, you gently run a knife around the edges, and pop out the cake – easy peasy – then peel off the parchment paper.

Cupcakes (Etc) memes

Now I’m testing some Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic aka Dowser #1 quotes/memes. I have to put a push on the 1st book to also market the 2nd, it seems. Not sure about the brown font, but it’s CMYK for “baker’s chocolate” so how could I resist?

Do you have any favourite quotes from Cupcakes (Etc) you think might work better than these?

I wasn’t just playing around with InDesign all afternoon – just in case you were fretting – I busted out 2250 words on Treasures (Etc) aka Dowser #3, but then my hand started aching!!

And the cupcake testing commences!

I hit 27,400 words on the Cupcakes (Etc) sequel on Friday and celebrated by testing some of Jade’s new cupcakes.

banana bread cake topped with buttercream icing = Calm in a Cup

bananabread_chocolatechip_darkchocolatebuttercreamicing — dark chocolate chip banana bread iced with dark chocolate buttercream = Cozy in a Cup

The cupcakes were so tasty – exactly what I wanted (and Jade needed). Yes, poor Jade. It’s been a rough couple of months for the Dowser.

Dowser 1: Lust in a Cup

Updated recipe: April 18, 2016

LustinaCup_postcardsized_recipe

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Original post:

Heather from Doubleshot Reviews requested the recipe for the “dark chocolate cupcakes with dark chocolate cream cheese icing” AKA Lust in a Cup from my new novel, Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic. These cupcakes are also known as Jade’s – the lead character – favourite cupcake.

Since Heather ~~demanded my immediate compliance~~ asked so nicely, I decided to share the recipe with you, my lovely blogger readers, as well. Now it is true that Heather just gave Cupcakes, Trinkets & Other Deadly Magic a five star review, but she requested the recipe AFTER she posted her rating on Goodreads, so I swear there was no bribery going on!! Ahem. Diverting attention to the recipe >>>>>>

Dark chocolate cream cheese icing slathered on dark chocolate cake = Lust in a Cup!!

Official release day tomorrow! I’m baking some Love in a Cup to celebrate. I’ll promise to post pictures!!

From garden to kitchen: Zucchini

Last week I found this monster zucchini hiding behind a garbage can full of crazy potato plants (more on those later). Under this stealthy cover the zucchini was able to grow beyond tasty eating size and into what-the-hell-am-I-going-to-do-with-this proportions.

So this: