I seriously can’t even with how much I love today’s first story. Maisy Magill shares this delightful peek into her Moonshine Hollow world, and some sweet treats, too!!

Hallowmoon Cupcake Catastrophe
Maisy Magill

The lanterns in The Sconery’s windows flickered cheerfully, casting pumpkin-orange light over the cobblestones outside. Loaves of bread dusted with flour making jack-o-lantern faces, orange and purple frosted cakes, chocolate scones in the shape of witch hats, and delightful bat-shaped cookies were on display alongside orange pumpkins. Rosalyn had closed the shop early to prepare for the Hallowmoon trick-or-treaters. All day, we’d been decorating, preparing a ghoulishly sweet punch, and baking cupcakes for Hallowmoon night so the children could stop by for a quick bite. The tables were bare of their usual flower-filled vases and teacups and were instead decorated with orange and black tablecloths and enchanted candles that flickered in a rainbow of colors. On the counter sat a sparkling silver punch bowl.

“Nothing too elaborate,” Rosalyn told me, smoothing a tablecloth with one graceful hand. “Just a stop along their rounds. A bit of punch, a cupcake, and on their way again.”

“Okay, Rosalyn,” I said, giving her a knowing look.

Rosalyn, who had dressed up as her fluffy white cat caticorn, complete with face makeup and a small gold horn, laughed. Rosalyn always went overboard for Hallowmoon, which I loved, because it was a special holiday for me as well.

I smiled warmly at her. My eyes then strayed to the tray of cupcakes I’d spent all day baking and decorating: chocolate sponge, orange-flavored frosting swirled high, and half-moon candied orange peels on top. They were festive enough, but something in me twitched with the urge to make them extra special. After all, I was a kitchen witch, and it was Hallowmoon.

While Rosalyn busied herself with the punch, I cracked open my spellbook. A harmless charm, just a whisper of magic, would do the trick. I dusted just a little shimmer of dried candle blossom across the top of the cupcakes, whispering an incantation as I worked. The icing gleamed as though soft light had settled inside it.

“Perfect,” I whispered. “Just a little sparkle.”

The first of the children arrived just as I finished arranging the cupcakes.

“Trick-or-treat!” A cluster of children tumbled in, their costumes a riot of color: tiny Rune elf explorers with painted shields, flower fairies with glittery wings, even sprites with fur-trimmed coats and mushroom caps. Rosalyn welcomed them with a ladle of pumpkin punch, while I handed out the cupcakes.

At first, everything went smoothly. The children bit into the cakes with happy squeals, smearing frosting across their cheeks. They gathered around Rosalyn, who passed them drinks, and they giggled and talked, more children entering the Sconery to join them.

All was well until one little girl in a cat-ear headband gasped.

“Zarina,” Rosalyn said, her voice careful, “Zarina, her skin…”

The girl’s cheeks had begun to shimmer, faintly at first, then brighter, until her whole face glowed with a soft orange light. The brightness trailed down her neck, then arms, then legs. Suddenly, she looked like a jack-o’-lantern come to life.

The room fell silent.

The other children stared.

The parents, peering in from the doorway, blinked in surprise.

And then the little girl grinned and cried, “Look at me! I’m glowing!”

“Zarina?”

“Well, I…”

Another child crammed the rest of his cupcake into his mouth, and seconds later, he too began to glow. Then another, and another, until the shop was filled with softly shining children. Knights gleamed like lanterns. Pixies twinkled. Even the sprites looked positively radiant.

“Oh, moonlight and mayhem,” I breathed, clutching the tray.

Rosalyn covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Finally, she managed to ask, “Zarina, did you, perhaps, enhance the frosting?”

“Just a little candle blossom, I swear! I only wanted them to sparkle!”

“Oh, they’re sparkling, all right,” she said, laughter dancing in her voice.

“The cupcakes, I meant the cupcakes!” I protested.

Rosalyn turned to the parents who were staring, and chuckling, at the sight. “It wears off in an hour. I promise.”

“Well, at least we’ll be able to keep an eye on them more easily,” one of the moms, who was dressed like a flower, said with a laugh.

To my astonishment, the children loved it. They twirled and posed, giggling at their reflections in the window. “We look like lanterns!” one cried. Another waved at her parents outside, who laughed and clapped their hands.

“Best trick-or-treat stop in Moonshine Hollow!” a boy shouted, his face beaming—literally.

Soon, every child in town clamored for a glowing cupcake, and I found myself passing them out as quickly as I could. Even the parents took one, curious to see what would happen. Soon, the whole shop glowed with warm orange light.

Rosalyn leaned against the counter, sipping her tea and chuckling. “You realize you’ve ruined every other stop in town. No one else can compete with cupcakes that make you glow.”

I flushed. “I didn’t mean to…”

Rosalyn grinned, then set her hand on my shoulder. “Never apologize for adding a little extra magic on Hallowmoon.”

I couldn’t help but smile, the tension easing from my shoulders. As the last giggling child toddled off, trailing orange light behind him, I made a note in my spellbook: Hallowmoon cupcakes with candle blossom. Causes a temporary glow. Popular with children. Safe for parents. Bake again next year.

I couldn’t help but smile as I wiped down the counter. It was Hallowmoon, and for one magical night, The Sconery had been the brightest stop in all of Moonshine Hollow. Now, that was magic.

Learn more about the magical residents of Moonshine Hollow, a cozy romantasy series, at MaisyMagill.com

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Hallowmoon Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with orange buttercream, candied orange peel, and a little sparkle

Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup hot coffee or hot water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add milk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Stir in hot coffee or water until batter is thin but combined.
5. Divide into liners (about ⅔ full).
6. Bake 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Orange Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3–4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
• Zest of 1 large orange (about 2 tsp)
• 1–2 tsp orange extract (or 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice, strained)
• A few drops orange food coloring

Instructions

1. Beat butter until fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low.
3. Add orange zest and orange extract (or juice), plus cream. Beat until smooth and spreadable.
4. Tint frosting a pumpkin-orange hue with food coloring.

Candied Orange Peel

Ingredients

• Peel of 2 oranges (thin strips, minimal white pith)
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar, plus extra for rolling

Instructions

1. Place orange peels in saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil, then drain. Repeat twice more.
2. Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in saucepan. Add peels. Simmer until translucent (30–40 minutes).
3. Remove peels, cool briefly, and roll in extra sugar. Let dry on parchment.

To Assemble

1. Frost cooled cupcakes with orange buttercream.
2. Top with candied orange peel strips.
3. Sprinkle lightly with edible glitter (aka dried candle blossom powder).