Birthday Wishes ... & Struggles: KidLit Confections Allergy-safe Cupcakes

Some of the people I love most have birthdays in September, and so this is a good month to share one of my favorite, most ambitious recipes: Chocolate Cake! ... How is chocolate cake ambitious? Well, this isn't just any chocolate cake. It's allergy-safe for all of the top food allergies, but you'd never know it's not "regular" cake.

(The recipe, including a link to the index of printable PDF files, can be found at the bottom of this post.)

I've had this recipe in the queue to share as an official #KidLitConfections recipe for nearly a year, but I couldn't quite settle on which book to share it with. Because there are so many delicious books that pair well with chocolate cake! How do you pick just one?

So I didn't pick just one. Instead, here are three great books to enjoy with your cake!

The Book:

BIRTHDAY BASH by Blair Northen Williamson and Taylor Woolley

Description from the Publisher:

Set sail for fun, friendship, and a splash of self-awareness with Kiko and his crew!

For fans of Grumpy Monkey and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! comes Birthday Bash, an uptight mouse with a party to plan.

A laugh-out-loud adventure that teaches kids how to handle big emotions and find creative solutions!

Kiko the Mouse is determined to host the perfect birthday party aboard his houseboat.

But when a buzzing bug crashes his cupcake preparations, Kiko's frustration leads to a chaotic chain of mishaps--boat holes, gushing leaks, and sinking party plans!

Can Kiko, with the help of his clever friends, keep his cool long enough to patch things up?

Or will his over-the-top reaction sink his party?

Packed with hilarious antics and relatable lessons, Birthday Bash is perfect for kids ages 4-8.

With its vibrant illustrations and playful storytelling, Birthday Bash helps children identify their feelings, laugh at life's messes, and discover that sometimes, even uninvited guests become unexpected friends.

My Thoughts:

Kiko wants everything about his birthday party to be perfect. Especially his gourmet cupcakes. But when a bug tries to sample the treats too, Kiko isn't having it!

After all, a bug in a treat is no fun to eat!

But when his zealous attempts to oust the uninvited guest destroy not just his party but his houseboat as well, Kiko has to work quickly with his friends to fix the mess.

This is a cute story about working together and asking for help when needed. And about letting go of the little annoyances that threaten our idea of what "perfect" is. A story about learning to let it go before the situation gets out of hand (or walking it back to fix things after it did get out of hand).

Also, the illustrations are bright and colorful and the characters are just so cute!! This book is an easy one to read over and over again. Perfect for anyone who sometimes experiences Big Emotions.

Also: BIRTHDAY BASH was published in September 2025, so this month is its book birthday! That makes it extra-perfect to celebrate with some yummy cupcakes!!

The Book:

PAISLEY'S BIG BIRTHDAY by Heather Pierce Stigall and Natallia Bushuyeva

Description from the Publisher:

A sweet story about having patience as we grow. For everyone ages 4 years and up.

Paisley’s birthday is today, right? Then why doesn’t she feel any older? She still has trouble reading, still has trouble jumping in the Hopstacle Course, and is still in Bunnygarten. When will she finally be big?

My Thoughts:

Paisley is excited! Today is her birthday. Which means she is a big girl!! 

Except... Mom says she still has to go to Bunnygarten. No Big Bunny School until next fall. 

And when she tries to read the big words or finish the whole Hopstacle course without help... Paisley stutters and flops. 

Maybe she's not a big girl yet after all? 

This is such a real and relatable emotion! When we hit those life milestones (like birthdays or anniversaries), it can be a bit frustrating to realize "Hey, I don't feel any different than I did yesterday." And sometimes in our frustration with how far we still have to go, we forget to notice how far we've already come. 

Reading this book reminded me of how one of my daughters absolutely sobbed as she was getting close to her third birthday because she didn't know how to read yet. She had heard stories about her big sister learning how to read at age three, so she thought she was so far behind!! But we all have our own race to run. We all have our own strengths and struggles. Arbitrary milestones aren't as important as we sometimes think they are.

The soft, gentle illustration style of this picture book gives it an added layer of coziness, reminding readers to relax and settle in, and to go a bit easier on themselves.

The Book:

THE SECRET BOOKSTORE SLEUTH SOCIETY by Lindsay Currie

Description from the Publisher:

"Currie crafts an enthralling series launch in this locked-room murder mystery... a gripping and expertly cultivated suspense novel." -- Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

In this exciting series starter, four best friends are trapped in a book-themed inn during an ice storm and they must use each of their special skills, as well as a few tips from an armchair-detective grandma, to figure out who killed one of the regular customers. From #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms comes a thrilling murder mystery.

Merrick McGee has been having a tough time. When her Grandma Ida gets sick and moves in, the family can't afford to keep sending Merrick to her beloved private school. So, she spends most of her time in the small room at the back of the bookstore/inn her mother works at being homeschooled, bored out of her mind, and lonely for her best friends.

But when an ice storm hits their town, and fate brings her friends together to ride out the storm at the inn with her, she's stoked to finally be able to spend time with the people she loves the most. Until... the unthinkable happens, and someone is found dead--facedown in a birthday cake sitting right at Merrick's own desk.

With the storm picking up the police remove the body and suggest the victim died of old age. But to Merrick it seems more like a murder. Luckily, she and her friends love solving mysteries, and with the suspects all under the same roof, and her friends eager to crack the case--the Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society is born! As the club begins to investigate, more questions come to light, and Merrick soon realizes her own grandmother may be the key to solving the case...

My Thoughts:

Merrick hates that she's home schooled (working every day from her mom's bookstore in a book-themed inn) now that her sick grandma has moved in and they can no longer afford her fancy private school. She's afraid her friends will move on and forget all about her. And nothing's worse, when you're in middle school, than being forgotten!

But when an ice storm hits trapping Merrick and her friends inside the inn for the night (along with their mothers, Merrick's grandma and aunt, the owner of the inn, a couple of employees and a few guests--one of whom is found dead at Merrick's school desk!!), the Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society is born.

Someone has murdered Daniel (an old man who frequents the bookstore, and who Merrick calls "Pipey" because he always carried a tobacco pipe in his pocket). The murderer is still there too, trapped at the inn by the storm, just like Merrick and her friends. And it's up to them to catch the culprit. The police think Daniel died of natural causes so they aren't investigating anything. The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society will have to solve the case and catch the villain before the storm breaks and a murderer escapes with zero consequences.

Part Nancy Drew, part Scooby-doo, this book is a fun cozy mystery perfectly suited to the middle grade crowd. It has all the angst of first crushes and family drama that makes it super-relatable at that age, and there was just enough puzzle and mystery to keep you turning pages without getting too intense for the audience.

I can't wait to read more books centered around this group!

The Recipe:

This is a recipe I came up with for my daughter's friend when, shortly before her 16th birthday, she discovered that she was allergic to all eight of the most common food allergens, plus gluten. And how can you have a birthday cake that actually tastes good when you have to follow a diet that's free from gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, and sesame? (Okay, the fish and shellfish are generally not found in birthday cakes... though you'd be surprised how often you see "may contain shellfish..." on ingredient labels!) After much trial and error (and more errors than I'd like to admit), this recipe took shape. Chocolate cake (or cupcakes) good enough that even my "I won't eat gluten free things" friends didn't know they weren't eating "the real thing!

Each of the books in this group has a bit of a "birthday gone horribly wrong" element to it, just like the fear that threatened to ruin Brit's sweet 16. But no matter how frustrating, scary, or disappointing life gets... with a little persistence and creativity, you can always find a way to have your cake and eat it too!

Brit's Allergy-safe Chocolate Cake

 2 c. gluten-free all-purpose flour*

1 ½ c. sugar

2 Tbsp cornstarch*

1 c. cocoa powder*

1 Tbsp. baking powder*

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

½ c. canola oil

1 ¾ c. oat milk

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

First, check the ingredient lists and labels on ALL of your ingredients! You’d be surprised how many things have hidden dairy, wheat, nuts, or soy (including gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, cocoa powder, oat milk, etc.) I always check labels, even if I've previously checked for that brand, because things sometimes change and you can never be too safe! (Life is not easy when you’re on a restricted diet!)

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Warm oat milk in the microwave just until small bubbles form (not a full boil). Add oil and vanilla to the oat milk, then pour into the dry ingredients.

Mix just enough to combine.

Pour a few drops of canola oil into a 13x9-inch glass cake pan and use a clean paper towel to spread the oil. (Cooking spray usually contains soy lecithin, so that’s not usually the best option for greasing the pan.) Or line muffin cups with paper or silicone liners.

Spread batter in the prepared pan and bake in a preheated 350F oven for 30-35 minutes for cake or 25-28 minutes for cupcakes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Dust warm cake with powdered sugar. Or let it cool completely and frost with icing of your choice.

* I used King Arthur brand flour, Argo brand cornstarch, Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder, and my local store-brand baking powder and baking soda, which were both safe options.

 

This recipe, originally created for Brit Mason, pairs well with BIRTHDAY BASH by Blair Northen Williamson and Taylor Woolley, PAISLEY'S BIG BIRTHDAY by Heather Pierce Stigall and Natallia Bushuyeva, and THE SECRET BOOKSTORE SLEUTH SOCIETY by Lindsay Currie

Printable PDF Recipes

You Should Smile More: KidLit Confections Happy Smiles Cookies

    "You should smile more." "Look on the bright side!" "I just want you to be happy." The concept of "Happy" is complex and nuanced and can manifest in many different ways. 

(The recipe, including a link to the index of printable PDF files, can be found at the bottom of this post.)

When I decided to share these Happy Smiles Cookies as an official #KidLitConfections recipe, I had a hard time deciding which book to share them with. So instead of choosing, I am going to share three wonderful books that I've recently read, each of which explores the concept of "Happy" in different ways. Because "Happy" is more than just putting on a smile or acting the part. And "Happy" is sometimes complicated and interwoven with Sad and Angry and a whole range of other emotions.

I hope these cookies can bring a smile to your life as you read these books full of hope in all of the different ways "Happy" can manifest.

The Book:

THIS WAY TO HAPPY by Alison Green Myers

Description from the Publisher:

From Schneider Family Book Award winner Alison Green Myers comes a heartwarming middle grade novel about loss, friendship, and the many paths we create to happiness.

Growing up at her grandparents' amusement park, Reilly Rhoades spent her life in the glow of bright lights, hard work, and sweet treats. That is until her beloved grandfather died. With Grandpa gone now, the sweetness of the park disappears, and the pride Reilly had for her family’s legacy grows bitter.

Without Grandpa, Reilly’s family fights to keep the park going—spreading happiness to others as they struggle to find it themselves. The strain causes one problem after another to erupt, until the Rhoades family, and their amusement park, comes apart at the seams.

As past traditions clash with today's realities, a new friendship splashes into Reilly’s universe. With epic advice, wild adventures, and a plan (or twenty) for tackling life’s twists and turns, Reilly Rhoades discovers that happiness doesn’t mean you have to choose between the past and the future—sometimes building a bridge connects all the best parts of you!

This Way to Happy is a rollercoaster ride that reminds readers even in the midst of life’s most challenging turns, happiness can be found just around the corner.

My Thoughts:

Reilly has grown up in her grandparents’ amusement park. Like, literally in the amusement park. Her family trailer (along with trailers for her grandparents and for her aunt and cousin), sits on the grounds of the park. And for as long as she can remember, Reilly has worked alongside her family. Helping her grandma make candy, apples, testing the rides before the park opens, and reminding park goers to “find your happy!” Because that’s the Rhoades Family Way. Three generations, working together to make dreams come true. But this summer, Grandpa isn’t here. He passed away while working on his newest big surprise for the park. And when Grandma has a heart attack on opening day, everything feels like it’s falling apart. How is Reilly supposed to help others “find their happy” when she’s pretty sure her own “happy” is disintegrating?

This is a sweet book about grief and family, and finding ways to move forward, even when everything around you is changing. The explorations of traditions versus innovations and finding your own path versus living up to others expectations are so relatable and relevant. Because traditions ARE important. And it’s good to keep tabs on your roots and always remember where you came from. But it’s also very important to not let the expectation of tradition and “that’s how it’s always been” to keep you from growing and finding your own “happy.”

The story is well written, and it will resonate with audiences dealing with grief, or change, or complicated family dynamics. (So… I guess that’s all of us at some point or another.) And it's a great reminder that "happy" isn't a flat dynamic, but an emotion in flux. And there are a lot of different ways to get there! 

The Book:

HAPPY RIGHT NOW by Julie Berry and Holly Hatam

Description from the Publisher:

An illustrated picture book that teaches the best way to be happy is to embrace the circumstances we find ourselves in each day

Happy Right Now brings a much-needed message to kids: it’s great to feel happy, but it’s okay to feel sad sometimes too.

 

Dealing with emotions can be hard. Children experience the same range of strong feelings as adults, but often don’t have the tools to deal with them. For children ages 4 to 8, Happy Right Now teaches emotional intelligence with fun, relatable imagery and clever rhymes.

 

Award-winning author Julie Berry brings a playful bounce to the important lesson that kids don’t need to wait for fantastic gifts, school vacations, or sunny days to find joy in the moment. And even if they can’t find a way to choose happiness—if the blues are just too strong—Berry provides a series of quick practices to help young readers move through their sadness.

 

Smartly illustrated by Holly Hatam, Happy Right Now is perfect for children, parents, and caregivers who want to learn how to navigate difficult emotions and embrace the bright side of any situation, rain or shine.

My Thoughts:

I'll be happy when I have... a castle and a friendly dragon. Or I can be happy right now! 

This book follows our main character through a whole host of "what ifs?" and wishes and "I'll be happy when..." moments. And we get to experience the acceptance and acknowledgment that you don't need to wait for the perfect moment when you have everything you might desire. You can choose to be happy, even when you're right in the middle of the sad or difficult times. It's a lesson that can be extremely difficult to learn, but it's so important to realize that waiting for that magical moment of perfection before allowing yourself to be happy just means you'll be consistently disappointed. We don't need to wait!

However, I am glad that this book also explores those moments when choosing to be happy isn't enough. Because you don't always get to choose. The reality is that there will likely be sad days when happy just isn't quite there for you. Everyone experiences these moments sometimes. And some people need extra help getting through those moments. 

That's OK!

If you keep going, eventually you'll get to the other side. Whether you can find it on your own or whether you need professional help to get there, you can find the happy again.

The Book:

I AM NOT HAPPY by Caroline L. Perry and Sydney Hanson

Description from the Publisher:

In the vein of Grumpy Monkey and Unicorns Are the Worst!, this hilarious picture book introduces the adorable quokka, who—despite his ever-present smile—is definitely not as happy as he looks!

With its bright eyes, puffy cheeks, and beaming smile, the quokka is clearly the happiest animal on earth. Or is it? This quokka is here to tell you…he is not happy! At least not all the time. Just like everyone else, he can be sulky, or sorry, or sad; but you’d never know from the look on his face! So, what’s a moody marsupial to do when he’s being misunderstood? Teach every other animal from kangaroos to koalas not to judge a critter by its cover!

My Thoughts:

I love this story of a super-adorable quokka, who may LOOK happy, but looks can be deceiving! 

There are lots of stories about folks who have resting grump face, but what if you have resting happy face? What if everyone thinks they don't have to take your feelings into consideration because you're always happy about everything? As an autistic woman who has felt the need to mask my feelings/reactions my whole life, I felt for this poor quokka! Also... it's just really fun to read! I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author. 

And the illustrations are absolutely adorable as well. I'll be watching for other books illustrated by Sydney Hanson.

The Recipe:

These cookies, with their potato starch base, are inspired in part by the Smiles potatoes that my kids and their friends used to love when they were little. (But don't expect them to be savory potato puffs. They're sweet and fluffy, and they don't taste like potatoes, although the potato starch makes them extra-soft.)

The challenge to turn those potato puffs into a potato-based Smile cookie came from my friend, Robin Palmer, when she was serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Robin has one of the most contagious smiles you have ever seen (a human version of the ever-smiling quokka!), and she's quick to find things to be happy about, even when things are tough. So when she joked about making me find a way to turn the smiley potato puffs she remembered into a delicious cookie, I had to accept the challenge. And pairing the resulting recipe with equally-delicious books was a fun way to connect with all of the different parts of her smiley (but not always strictly "happy") disposition!

Happy Smiles Cookies

2 c butter
2 1/2 c powdered sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 1/2 c potato starch
3 c GF AP flour

Cream together, butter and sugar.

Add eggs, salt, baking powder, vanilla, and potato starch. Mix together on low speed, just until combined, then increase to high speed and beat until light and fluffy. (Approximately 3-5 minutes.) Stir in flour.  Chill 1 hour.

Scoop into 1-inch balls. (Optional: roll in a mixture of ½ c. powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder)

On a parchment-lined baking sheet, press each cookie ball with the bottom of a drinking glass. Flatten to ¼-inch thick. Space the cookies 1-2 inches apart after pressing them flat. Chill again for 1 hour.

Using a piece of a drinking straw, cut out 2 circles for eyes on each cookie. Use the curved edge of a small spoon to create a smile on each. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-9 minutes, until the cookies are set but still soft.  

*Optional: Bake a few cookies, then freeze some, unbaked, for future cookie emergencies! Prepare dough as if you were prepping to bake the cookies (portion, press flat, and cut out the eyes and smile on each). Then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet (no need to keep space between them this time), and freeze 2-4 hours or overnight. Once frozen, transfer cookie dough to a large freezer bag and return to your freezer. You can bake straight from frozen at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-14 minutes. Fresh-baked cookie smiles anytime!

 

 

This recipe, originally created for Robyn Palmer, pairs well with THIS WAY TO HAPPY by Alison Green Myers, HAPPY RIGHT NOW by Julie Berry and Holly Hatam, and I AM NOT HAPPY by Caroline L. Perry and Sydney Hanson.

Printable PDF Recipes

Especially if You're Invisible: KidLit Confections Ghost Puff Cookies

Sometimes, no matter what you do, the world makes you feel invisible. And that's not fun!

(The recipe, including a link to the index of printable PDF files, can be found at the bottom of this post.)

This year, I joined Julie Hedlund's 12x12 Picture Book Challenge to immerse myself more in the world of picture books as I work on jumpstarting my author career. As part of this community, I've discovered so many fun picture books! This is one that really touched my heart. Because I, like Gilbert, know what it feels like to be invisible.

The Book:

GILBERT AND THE GHOST by Heather Pierce Stigall and Jess Mason

Description from the Publisher:

The ghost at 632 Savannah Street is real . . . right?

Gilbert often feels invisible, just like the ghost living at 632 Savannah Street. Despite his family's disbelief, Gilbert leaves gifts for the ghost: a friendship bracelet, a plate of cookies, even a drawing with a note. When each disappears one by one, Gilbert finds that believing and friendship are worth the effort.

​For kids who might often feel unseen, Gilbert and the Ghost is a ghostly tale of overcoming obstacles and finding friendship in mysterious places. Gothic, whimsical illustrations make this picture book perfect for spooky season, while its earnest themes make it worth a read all year round.

My Thoughts:

Gilbert knows how hard it is to make friends. Especially when you're invisible. Like the ghost at 632 Savannah Street. So he makes it his mission to become friends with the ghost, even when no one else believes that the ghost is real.

This book is beautifully illustrated, with a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt invisible. I know I have definitely felt that way far more often than I want to admit... and I often wished I had someone like Gilbert who could see me. And I love the way that, in reaching out to the ghost at 632 Savannah Street, Gilbert finds a way to be seen himself. I highly recommend this story!

The Recipe:

This recipe was inspired by a trio of ghosts that helped me through a very difficult time in my life. These cookies were a nod to the "phantoms" in the Netflix TV show Julie and the Phantoms (from 2020), and particularly the line Reggie says: "We're less than nobody. We have no bodies!" - Because the show hit at a time when I was feeling like less than nobody, but it helped me to realize that even when I was invisible, I could be a positive force in the world. The cookies are maple-flavored because I always associate warm, comforting flavors like maple with fall, and that's when I originally watched Julie and the Phantoms. It's also the season GILBERT AND THE GHOST is set in, so that makes these extra-perfect to pair with the book. (And yes, I know we're sort of past the fall season now, with snow falling and Christmas bells ringing, but it's not technically winter yet, so this still counts as a fall confection!)

It might feel difficult to reach out to others, especially if you're feeling invisible. But even an invisible somebody has the potential to make the world a bit sweeter. That's the message I see in this book, with Gilbert's selfless service toward a ghost he's never met, simply because he knows what it's like to have trouble making friends. Especially when you're invisible. So what better cookies to pair with this book than a delicious maple cookie that "has no body" like this one? The little "ghost" marshmallows melt away in the baking process, leaving a hollow cookie puff with a little something extra sweet inside. 

Fall Phantoms Cookies

2 c. maple syrup (reduced to 1 ½ c.)

2 c. butter

½ c. cornstarch

3 eggs

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla extract

5 c. gluten-free all-purpose flour

Mini marshmallows (aka “ghosts”)

Reduce the maple syrup: Pour 2 c. maple syrup into a 2-quart or larger glass measuring bowl. (You need the extra room—don’t be tempted to use a smaller bowl!) Heat on high in the microwave to reduce the liquid. The timing will vary based on your microwave. Start with 3 minutes, but don't take your eyes off it for a second! Stop & stir every time it starts to bubble up, so it won't boil over! Once the syrup starts boiling, you will have to stop it more and more frequently to stir down the bubbles, until it starts to thicken. (Once some of the liquid has boiled off, it will bubble up less.) -- Keep heating on high, 30 seconds at a time, until the syrup has reduced to 1 1/2 c. (You can also reduce the syrup by heating on the stove, stirring constantly so it won't burn or boil over, but that's more finicky and has more of a risk of burning the syrup.)

Stir in cold butter, until it's thoroughly combined. Chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours, until butter/syrup is slightly solidified, but not hard.

Transfer to large mixing bowl and beat in cornstarch, eggs, soda, and salt. Stir in flour. Then cover and chill overnight.

Scoop dough into 1/2-inch balls. Flatten each ball into a disc and place a mini marshmallow in the center. Fold the edges up around the marshmallow and pinch together to seal. Roll slightly in your hands to even out the dough, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

 Bake at 375F for 8-9 minutes, until slightly browned on the bottom. Cool for a few minutes on the tray, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely..

Makes about 16 dozen bite-sized cookies.

*Most of my cookie recipes can be portioned and frozen for easy baking later, but these need to thaw completely before baking, and they might not puff up as expected if cooked from frozen dough (though they will still be delicious)!

This recipe pairs well with GILBERT AND THE GHOST by Heather Pierce Stigall and Jess Mason.

Printable PDF Recipes

Sorting Sweets: KidLit Confections Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie

Sometimes I read a book and know exactly which recipe from my existing archives will pair perfectly as a #KidLitConfections treat. Sometimes, I create recipes specifically for the books I want to share. And sometimes, like this week, I only find the right recipe after systematically sorting through all of the recipes I have in my stash, trying each one to see if it fits until I find the right pairing...

(The recipe, including a link to the index of printable PDF files, can be found at the bottom of this post.)

When I got the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book, I literally jumped at the chance! The artwork is adorable, the concept is cute, and anyone who knows me could tell you that I'm a huge fan of puns, so a book called CATerwaul about a group of precocious kittens caterwauling about Grandma's upcoming move was right up my alley!

The Book:

CATERWAUL by Ann Marie Stephens and Jenn Harney

Description from the Publisher:

Math-loving kittens help Grandma pack up her belongings for her move to the Catskill Mountains in this playful picture book that demonstrates the key math concept of sorting.

Nine chaotic kittens are tasked with helping Grandma sort and pack her belongings before the moving van arrives. But they don’t want to see her go, and besides, there’s so much fun stuff to look through! When the moving van pulls up, the kittens can’t help CATerwauling until Grandma helps them sort their feelings and realize that although she may be leaving her house, she’ll always be there for her family. . . . 

Author Ann Marie Stephens draws upon more than 30 years of teaching experience to ensure that readers absorb math while having fun in the adventure-filled A CATastrophe Tale series. Jenn Harney’s energetic illustrations hilariously capture the antics of these enthusiastic kittens.

Each book in the A CATastrophe Tale series includes helpful back matter, which shows readers that, just like the kittens, they use mathematical skills in their everyday lives. Additional titles in the series include CATastrophe!: A Story of Patterns, CATawampus!: A Story of Shapes, and sCATtered!: A Story of Estimation.

My Thoughts:

I always thought I wasn't very good at math. I would point to the amount of time it took me to work out an equation in math class, and the way my brain never wanted to process the answers the same way my teacher taught us to get there... And I would simply sigh and say "I'm just not good at this!" But put me in a kitchen with the task of adapting a recipe to feed a larger (or smaller) crowd than the original specified and with four different ingredient substitutions to accommodate food allergies or dietary preferences (or simply the fact that my budget wouldn't allow for the expensive specialty ingredients required...) and suddenly I could work complex equations in my head to get the recipe proportions just right. Eventually, I realized that I wasn't bad at math. I simply wasn't very good at focusing on the math that didn't feel relevant to my life! I love the way this book introduces an essential mathematical concept in a way that makes it easy and accessible, so young readers can see that yes, they are good at math, even if it's not the kind of math they usually think about!

Beyond the exploration of sorting, this story hits a familiar note that will resonate with almost all readers, at one point or another. The kittens are sad because Grandma is moving to a new house. But they like this house, with it's familiar walls and floors and memories. They don't want her to go! 

Change can be so difficult, at any age. It's easy to focus on the things you'll be leaving behind, and all the things you'll miss. But sorting through those sad feelings to find and focus on the things that will stay the same is so helpful! 

The Recipe:

I'm a huge fan of salty/sweet flavor combinations, and peanut butter is practically made to go with chocolate. So when I made the gluten-free version of my 3.1415926 Ultimate Pie a while ago and I had extra chocolate crusts to play with, I had to try a peanut butter chocolate cream pie, even if I didn't have a book to pair it with yet!

When I first started searching through my recipe files to find the perfect #KidLitConfections creation to pair with this adorable book, I initially thought I'd go with one of my cookie recipes. Perhaps one that has several different variations to the recipe, so I could play on the idea that the cookies could be sorted into subsets by variety... But I also wanted something that leaned heavily toward the category of "comfort food" to reflect the way the kittens find comfort in their sweet memories with Grandma. And the more I looked, the more I kept thinking about the old Reese's Peanut Butter Cups commercials where someone accidentally gets their chocolate into someone else's peanut butter and they discover that the two categories of flavor/texture go perfectly together... So I ultimately came back to this pie, with its layers that can be sorted into three separate flavors (vanilla for the whipped cream, dark chocolate for the chocolate mousse and the crust, and peanut butter for the second mousse) or into two textures (crispy, flaky crust and soft, fluffy cream).

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mousse Pie

GF Chocolate Crust*:

1 c. butter, softened

1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese, softened

¼ c. heavy cream

¼ c. sugar

1 tsp. salt

3 c. gluten-free, all-purpose flour

¼ c. cocoa powder

 

Peanut Butter Mousse Layer:

1 c. heavy whipping cream

¼ c. powdered sugar

½ tsp. vanilla bean paste

½ tsp. salt

1/3 c. peanut butter

Chocolate Mousse Layer:

1 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

2-4 Tbsp. cocoa powder

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla bean paste

 

Whipped Cream Layer:

1 c. heavy whipping cream

¼ c. powdered sugar

½ tsp. vanilla bean paste

½ tsp. salt

First, make the crust*: In a large mixing bowl, mix together butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream on low speed until smooth. Add sugar and salt. Mix thoroughly. Stir in flour and cocoa powder, until the dough is combined well enough to hold together in a soft ball. Divide the dough into four evenly sized pieces. Shape each piece into a disk that is approximately 1-inch thick, smoothing the edges. Wrap each disc with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the dough.

Prepare the crust: Place 1 disc of crust dough between 2 large sheets of waxed paper. (Save the other crusts for future desserts!) Roll into a thin circle, approximately 1 ¼” larger all around than your pie tin. Transfer dough to your pie tin and crimp the edges all around. Prick the bottom of the dough all around with a fork, then bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Peanut Butter Mousse Layer: Whip the cream, powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, and salt together in a large mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. In a glass measuring cup, melt peanut butter in the microwave, stirring after every 15 seconds or so until it’s pourable but not hot. Carefully drizzle it over the whipped cream. Fold in gently, just to incorporate. Spread evenly in cooled pie crust.

Chocolate Mousse Layer: In large mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients. Whip with wire whisk attachment on your mixer, until stiff peaks form. Gently spoon mousse over peanut butter mousse layer and spread evenly.

Whipped Cream Topping: In a large, clean mixing bowl, whip together heavy cream, vanilla and sugar until soft peaks form. Gently spread over chocolate mousse layer.

Chill 2-3 hours or overnight, until ready to serve.

Serves 8.

*This Gluten Free Chocolate Pie Crust recipe (adapted from Chef Alina’s Gluten-Free Foolproof Cream Cheese Pie Crust) makes 4 crusts, but you’ll only use 1 for this pie. The extra crusts can be refrigerated for up to four days. Or wrap well and freeze for up to three months. When ready to use your dough, remove from the freezer and let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, remove from the fridge and let it rest for 15 minutes or so at room temperature before you roll it out, so it’s not too stiff.

Note: Pie can be frozen (whole or by the slice) in an airtight container. Simply remove from the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving.

This recipe pairs well with CATERWAUL by Ann Marie Stephens and Jenn Harney

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