Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Sparky Dog Cupcakes plus book #giveaway for AS GOUDA AS DEAD from @AveryAames


I'm gearing up for the release of the next Cheese Shop Mystery #6: As Gouda As Dead. From now and long into February, every Wednesday, if you leave a comment, you'll be entered to win a Cheese Shop Mystery plus some fun swag. See below!


Many of you know that I have a Goldendoodle named Sparky. He is 28 pounds and a bundle of good energy. He is the ultimate party animal! He makes everyone who comes into the house a dog lover. He can’t wait to play, romp, zoom!

Over the holidays, I decided to honor him by making a cupcake that looks like him. Okay, really?

The real reason I made these little treats is because my daughter-in-law sent me a YouTube link of a woman making doggie cupcakes. So cute!!!!  Here's the LINK

For those who don't have time to watch the video, I'm trying to show as many steps as I can. By the way, the woman used whipped cream for the frosting, but I didn’t think that would hold up, so I created this version using my favorite cream cheese frosting. Why not? I’m constantly thinking about cheese since I write the Cheese Shop Mysteries! The cupcakes, the few that didn’t get gobbled up immediately, lasted for a couple of days in the refrigerator! Perfect for a snack when reading a good book. 

Ahem, is anyone planning on picking up a copy of AS GOUDA AS DEAD?

Note: This cupcake was one of my first attempts at using a pastry tube. Because Sparky can look messy, don’t worry about the end result being perfect. I sure didn’t.


Also note: You can cheat and make cupcakes using your favorite regular or gluten-free boxed cake mix. If you want to make them from scratch, here is a delicious gluten-free recipe. The mayonnaise makes a HUGE difference!

Sparky Dog cupcakes
with cream cheese frosting

Ingredients:
(makes 24 cupcakes)

1 1/2 cups sweet white rice flour
3/4 cup tapioca flour
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups white sugar
2/3 cup Best Foods mayonnaise (it’s gluten-free!)
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanillin

For decoration:
Cream cheese frosting (see recipe below)
Melting chocolate cut into tiny bits for eyes, larger for the nose (you could use pre-formed chocolate chips)
Red MandM’s for the tongue

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, mix the sweet rice flour, tapioca flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and xanthan gum together and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, blend the eggs, sugar, and mayonnaise until fluffy. Add the milk and vanillin and mix well.

Add the flour mixture. Beat on low speed for about 2 minutes.

Using soup ladle, pour batter into prepared cupcakes liners.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-17 minutes. Know your oven!  Cakes are done when they spring back when lightly touched or when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Put on wire rack to cool so they don’t get “moist” on the bottom.

Let cool completely then frost, as follows:

Fix a pastry tube with a leaf tip. Fill the pastry tube with frosting. Squeeze out little “leaves” of frosting in a circle around the cupcake, leaving the center free. Then in longer swirls, fill in the center. Drip some frosting off the lower portion for the “beard.” Mound some frosting at the top for the ears.


Set two bits of chocolate near the top for the eyes; set one bit of chocolate in the center for the nose. Slip a red MandM between the beard portion for the tongue.






Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese – room temperature
8 tablespoons butter – room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar (more if necessary)

Directions:
In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, whip cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Reduce the mixer to low speed and add a half cup of powdered sugar at a time, until blended. You want the frosting to be fairly stiff, so make sure you add enough powdered sugar.  May be saved in the refrigerator in airtight container.

GIVEAWAY
And now for that giveaway...tell me what your favorite "kid" treat is and leave your email so I can reach you if you win. If you don't feel like leaving an entire email, you can go cryptic and I'll try to figure it out. I am a mystery writer, after all. I will not use your email for any other purpose other than to contact the winner. I'll pick a name tomorrow morning. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me.

Good luck!

Savor the mystery!

******************

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NEXT BOOK OUT: AS GOUDA AS DEAD, coming February, 2015
pre-order here





STIRRING THE PLOT is available for order: order here.


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so you can learn about upcoming events, releases, and contests! 





118 comments:

  1. My favorite five year old prefers chocolate chip cookies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting (or white frosting). Yummy!!!
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favorite "kid" treat is an ice cream bar. EMS591@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore ice cream bars on a stick! Dark chocolate over vanilla i.c. yum!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  4. I'll have to try to make a Pug cupcake now!

    Every once in a while I get a craving for a strawberry shortcake ice cream bar. And every time it still tastes as good as I remember.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. My favorite kid treat is apple pie with vanilla ice cream! :)
    mmyheartishere@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hm, is that a kid treat? It's one of my all-time favorites!

      Daryl / Avery

      Delete
  6. My grandparents scratch made apple stack cakes were my favorite and they were locally famous in our little community! Shonhh94@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ice cream is my favorite. poohwine1217@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ice cream has always been a favorite! Dots and pixie sticks were "kid" favorites; that and chocolate, of course! My Mom's strawberry shortcake was a seasonal treat. dm_richards@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hot fudge sundae.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. My granny's home made pound cake with vanilla ice-cream.

    bevarcher AT me DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite treats from when I was a kid!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Just about anything sweet is my favorite just like a five year old. suefoster109@netzero.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very cute! Can we have a recent picture of Sparky for comparison?
    Childhood sweets? There are photos of me at age 4 (or there abouts) with a pound bag of M&Ms. My uncle gave me the bag while he took pictures. I was so amazed at the size of the bag that I don't know when, if ever, it was even opened!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Libby, you can find some recent pictures of Sparky on my Facebook page. He sometimes looks just like the cupcakes.

      Delete
  14. I love Cheetos, the crunchy, messy, cheesy, orange snack! I really have to avoid buying them...

    ElaineE246(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheetos leave evidence, I have a friend who has Cheeto fingerprints in a few of her books.

      Delete
  15. My favorite treat when I was a kid was the Chocolate, Oatmeal no-bake cookies. Hmm.... they are still my favorite.

    afarage(at)earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
  16. tiny little dark chocolate cupcakes with pink sparkly frosting! And a Hershey kids nestled in at the core. So delish! My mom called them Fairy cakes since they were small and sparkly. Oh so good!

    sherioneill66@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Toasted marshmallows. And movie candy - Gobstoppers, Lemonheads, Sweet & Sour, Good & Plenty, Bottle Caps, Dip 'Em (or is it Lick 'Em?!) Sticks, Whoppers, Junior Mints, Atomic Fireballs... Just every now and then. And I love that they take time to eat.
    bibliojock1@AOL.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Adorable cupcake! When I was young, I always love my grandmas' banana pudding. She made the pudding from scratch, but she bought the vanilla wafers.I still love it today.Thanks for the giveaway. Hope you have a great day :)
    debprice60@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Banana pudding and vanilla wafers is one of the all time classic combinations. Yum!

      Delete
  19. The cupcakes sound really tasty, and your white icing looks as light as a cloud. But I have to confess I love the look most. I've never seen cuter pooch pastry anywhere. Thanks, Avery.

    ~ Cleo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cleo! I'll admit they made me smile as I was making them.

      Delete
  20. Rice Krispie Treats and Hoodsie Cups! alyssa_mcneil@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to look up a Hoodsie Cup, while not the same brand, those little ice cream cups were great summer treats.

      Delete
  21. I'd have to go with rice krispie bars. When they're still warm and gooey.
    kim
    kjohnson952@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. My favorite kid tread was a Dairy Queen cone---vanilla, please.
    Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  24. My favorite is good, old fashioned, cupcakes. My kids love brownies baked in mini muffin pans.

    llcejka (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  25. My favorite kid treat is Cotton candy!!! Also candy apples and salt water taffy. They always remind me of my childhood and give me feel good memories when I have them. darholley1@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those all make me think of a lovely county fair, Darlene. What a fun visual.

      Delete
  26. My favorite treat was a Hostess cupcake! sarah2323 at gmail dot com Thank you! Can't wait to read the book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knew a girl who would peel the frosting off of those and eat it like a separate treat, she had a system.

      Delete
  27. I love anything with smooth peanut butter! Peanut butter cookies, peanut butter rice krispy treats, peanut butter pie, PB&J and peanut butter on a spoon. Mmmmmm, You get the picture! :) I have a daughter who hates peanut butter, I just don't get it... Paigegathome (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have two favorites.. lol
    Root Beer floats and no bake chocolate cookies. Both together is even better. :)
    Daughter said brownie a la mode. We love our treats around here.
    jandeplus3@live.com
    Jeanette :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. My favorite kid treat is a cupcake, white cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Ice cream sandwiches and Rockefellers! ReadingMama922@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm stumped. What is a Rockefeller? Going to go look that up now.
      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  31. My favorite is Hershey kiss cookies, especially if they're still warm! Thank you for the contest!

    woodrumbetty@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Cookies and ice cream.
    dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. My favorite treat as a kid was fudgesicles! angelhwk68@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. A treat I would love to indulge in is a brownie with fudge sauce. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. A peanut butter and chocolate nutella snadwich. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Pat (patdupuy@yahoo.com)January 14, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    I was a happy camper if I had a package of Twinkies or Hostess cupcakes in my school lunch bag. But no SnoBalls; those were yukky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I think it was the pink color that made me wonder about SnoBalls, and not in a good way.

      Delete
  37. My favorite kid yay was a big hunk candy bar

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ding dongs. We kept them in the freezer so the middle was almost like ice cream. They are my son's favorite now too. He will wait when we get home from the store until they freeze. When Hostess went out of business he actually cried, lol. mamamoongrrlie at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Banana splits are my favorite "kid treat". Applebee's Maple Butter Blondies are my favorite adult indulgence though! Greeneyesredhair (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My very first banana split didn't have the banana in it. I told my boyfriend the waitress goofed and he said, that couldn't possibly happen, but it turned out it was her first banana split to make! She did indeed forget the banana! LOL

      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  40. My favorite treat as a "kid" was a frozen chocolate covered banana, servedogmom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband loves those!!! I like banana chocolate pie. :)
      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  41. When I was a kid, my favorite treat was a cheese whiz sammich on days I was out of school sick. I know not the norm, but it was so good. Actually now I my favorite is any form of sweet candy. kayt18@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and I love the look of the Sparky cupcakes, he is just too cute

      Delete
  42. Growing up my grandmother made a cake-like dessert called "Poorman Cookies". They were always a special treat. As an adult I love Magic Cookie Bars.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll have to look that one up, Kathi. I'm always intrigued by classic recipes.

      Delete
  43. Forgot my e-mail: kathi@bearlodgeangler.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. My favorite kid treat has always been a rice krispie bar. Loved your "puppy" cupcake. So cute. 6186pep(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Sparky makes an adorable cupcake! I loved cupcakes, as a kid. patucker54 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Chocolate chip cookies, and the faster you can catch them when they're still warm the better. Of course I never turn down homemade cherry pie, or peach, or apple, oh heck...pie.
    momzillasteel@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pie is one of the best inventions in the dessert world, don't you think?

      Delete
  47. I love rice crispy treats
    Cjreynolds52@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, me, too. That's one of those things I haven't had in ages because of gluten-free and I haven't found a good rice-crispy cereal like Rice Krispies! I've found chex. :)

      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  48. Cupcakes look cute!
    cece56@nycap.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I personally LOVE cupcakes. Of all kinds. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you read the cupcake mystery series by Jenn McKinlay? Right up your alley!

      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  50. My granddaughters love for us to make homemade ice cream with the Vitamix. Great use of Frozen fruit.

    Benglish@whro.net

    ReplyDelete
  51. potato chips and ice cream - love the salty/sweet combination

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you ever added chocolate chips? I haven't but it sounds good! :)

      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  52. Love your Sparky cupcakes so cute.

    sandydunc66@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Popsicles have always been my favorite. I like orange, cherry and lime, especially in the summer. crossxjo@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. As a kid I loved Strawberry Bubble Gum .

    xzjh04@ Gmail. Com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember big bubbly bubble gum. The kind that split in half before you chewed it.

      Daryl/ Avery

      Delete
  55. I loved lemon meringue pie. That was always a treat whenever that was served. Still love it today.
    lenikaye @yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. My favorite kid treat is still licking the bowl. Nothing better.

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

    ReplyDelete
  57. My favorite kid treat has always been M&M Peanuts., and I prefer eating the red ones! Kuzlin at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. to this day, my favorite kid treat is potato chips!!!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete