🔎 CupcakeGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionWord problemsSkip countingMissing addends
The Cupcake Castle Caper
Someone mixed up all the royal cupcake recipes! The Head Pastry Chef needs your help to find the sneaky Frosting Bandit before the big Sweet Street party begins.
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Main Baking Blast | Secret Baking Tool | Apron Style | Frosting Hair Color | How to Stop Them |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Batter | Batter Bomber | Candle Glow | Left apron pocket | Blue wave frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Chef Charlie | Sugar Shield | Cherry Launcher | Right apron pocket | Pink swirl frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Oliver Oven | Frosting Blaster | Cherry Launcher | Right apron pocket | Pink swirl frosting | Squirting lemon juice |
| Sammy Sweet | Batter Bomber | Cream Squeezer | Right apron pocket | White star frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Patty Pan | Sugar Shield | Candle Glow | Left apron pocket | Pink swirl frosting | Blowing a toy fan |
| Danny Dough | Sugar Shield | Whisk Shield | Right apron pocket | White star frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Suzy Swirl | Wrapper Spinner | Jelly Cannon | Right apron pocket | Blue wave frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Cupcake Cal | Sugar Shield | Jelly Cannon | Left apron pocket | White star frosting | Squirting lemon juice |
| Coco Cocoa | Sprinkle Shower | Cherry Launcher | Right apron pocket | Blue wave frosting | Blowing a toy fan |
| Sprinkles Sam | Batter Bomber | Cream Squeezer | Right apron pocket | Blue wave frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Sally Sugar | Frosting Blaster | Jelly Cannon | Left apron pocket | Blue wave frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Cherry Chip | Batter Bomber | Jelly Cannon | Right apron pocket | White star frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Baker Betty | Sprinkle Shower | Candle Glow | Right apron pocket | Blue wave frosting | Squirting lemon juice |
| Frosty Fred | Batter Bomber | Cherry Launcher | Right apron pocket | White star frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Tammy Tart | Sprinkle Shower | Cream Squeezer | Left apron pocket | Pink swirl frosting | Squirting lemon juice |
| Molly Muffin | Sugar Shield | Cherry Launcher | Left apron pocket | White star frosting | Blowing a toy fan |
| Pippa Pink | Sugar Shield | Cream Squeezer | Left apron pocket | White star frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Gary Glaze | Wrapper Spinner | Cream Squeezer | Right apron pocket | White star frosting | Clapping loud hands |
| Timmy Treat | Frosting Blaster | Jelly Cannon | Right apron pocket | White star frosting | Squirting lemon juice |
| Bella Baker | Sugar Shield | Jelly Cannon | Right apron pocket | Pink swirl frosting | Squirting lemon juice |
| Wendy Whip | Frosting Blaster | Jelly Cannon | Right apron pocket | Pink swirl frosting | Clapping loud hands |
Clue 1
Addition
We need to count the baking pans. Let us add the big pans and the small pans together to find the total.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
3
13
19
10
20
7
4
5
T
3
4
12
19
8
7
12
T
3
14
8
19
20
18
13
5
8
9
8
13
5
19
15
4
1 + 2 =T
3 + 10 =H
2 + 3 =I
5 + 4 =K
4 + 6 =B
4 + 3 =N
9 + 10 =E
7 + 11 =W
10 + 4 =U
4 + 8 =O
7 + 8 =L
2 + 2 =D
14 + 6 =A
4 + 4 =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
Some sweet cupcakes are missing. We had a full tray but we must subtract the ones the bandit ate.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
19
10
8
18
11
12
3
1
T
19
10
11
6
11
16
1
14
10
T
19
11
5
16
17
12
5
17
15
13
8
T
19
20 - 1 =T
12 - 6 =S
14 - 6 =E
19 - 1 =B
14 - 4 =H
19 - 6 =K
11 - 8 =D
17 - 1 =R
17 - 2 =C
15 - 3 =N
15 - 1 =G
15 - 4 =A
4 - 3 =I
12 - 7 =P
20 - 3 =O
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
Let us solve this sweet word problem. Read the story about the sprinkles to find the secret number.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
C
37
11
21
14
14
33
15
35
11
O
U
D
H
21
15
D
S
Chef Bella found 33 baking pans yesterday and 4 more today. How many baking pans in all?C
Chef Bella found 2 sprinkles yesterday and 13 more today. How many sprinkles in all?N
Chef Bella lined up 7 rows of 2 frosting bags. How many frosting bags in all?P
There were 37 baking pans. 4 were used up. How many baking pans are left?I
There were 19 frosting bags. 8 were used up. How many frosting bags are left?L
Chef Bella lined up 7 rows of 3 cupcakes. How many cupcakes in all?A
Chef Bella found 15 sprinkles yesterday and 20 more today. How many sprinkles in all?G
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
The cherries on the shelf are in neat rows of two. Skip count by twos to find how many we have.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
12
55
6
65
15
30
21
W
12
22
28
90
55
130
90
140
60
6
60
65
130
90
28
30
10
22
140
28
60
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16W
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110T
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75O
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25U
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, ___, 33, 36N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80R
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65E
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14G
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150S
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10F
0/14 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
Our cake recipe needs ten cups of flour. We only have six cups so how many more cups do we need to find.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
2 + ___ = 11
8 + ___ = 19
4 + ___ = 6
3 + ___ = 7
9 + ___ = 15
1 + ___ = 13
6 + ___ = 14
9 + ___ = 16
9 + ___ = 14
2 + ___ = 5
2 + ___ = 3
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain splats cake batter on the walls, then lights up a shiny birthday candle.
2.The villain splats cake batter on the walls, then fires a blast of sweet grape jelly.
3.The villain sprays sticky pink frosting, then fires a blast of sweet grape jelly.
4.The villain makes a barrier of sweet sugar, then fires a blast of sweet grape jelly.
5.The villain sprays sticky pink frosting, then shoots a red cherry high in the air.
6.The villain spins a trap of shiny paper wrappers, then blocks the door with a giant whisk.
7.The villain splats cake batter on the walls, then blocks the door with a giant whisk.
8.The villain throws giant rainbow sprinkles, then blocks the door with a giant whisk.
9.The villain splats cake batter on the walls, then shoots a red cherry high in the air.
10.The villain splats cake batter on the walls, then squeezes a big cloud of whipped cream.
11.The villain spins a trap of shiny paper wrappers, then squeezes a big cloud of whipped cream.
12.The villain sprays sticky pink frosting, then squeezes a big cloud of whipped cream.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Cupcake Castle Caper
Culprit: Sammy Sweet (Batter Bomber · Cream Squeezer · Right apron pocket · White star frosting · Clapping loud hands)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE BANDIT DOES NOT USE A WHISK SHIELD"1 + 2 = 3 (T) · 3 + 10 = 13 (H) · 2 + 3 = 5 (I) · 5 + 4 = 9 (K) · 4 + 6 = 10 (B) · 4 + 3 = 7 (N) · 9 + 10 = 19 (E) · 7 + 11 = 18 (W) · 10 + 4 = 14 (U) · 4 + 8 = 12 (O) · 7 + 8 = 15 (L) · 2 + 2 = 4 (D) · 14 + 6 = 20 (A) · 4 + 4 = 8 (S)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE BANDIT HAS A RIGHT APRON POCKET"20 - 1 = 19 (T) · 12 - 6 = 6 (S) · 14 - 6 = 8 (E) · 19 - 1 = 18 (B) · 14 - 4 = 10 (H) · 19 - 6 = 13 (K) · 11 - 8 = 3 (D) · 17 - 1 = 16 (R) · 17 - 2 = 15 (C) · 15 - 3 = 12 (N) · 15 - 1 = 14 (G) · 15 - 4 = 11 (A) · 4 - 3 = 1 (I) · 12 - 7 = 5 (P) · 20 - 3 = 17 (O)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "CLAPPING LOUD HANDS"Chef Bella found 33 baking pans yesterday and 4 more today. How many baking pans in all? = 37 (C) · Chef Bella found 2 sprinkles yesterday and 13 more today. How many sprinkles in all? = 15 (N) · Chef Bella lined up 7 rows of 2 frosting bags. How many frosting bags in all? = 14 (P) · There were 37 baking pans. 4 were used up. How many baking pans are left? = 33 (I) · There were 19 frosting bags. 8 were used up. How many frosting bags are left? = 11 (L) · Chef Bella lined up 7 rows of 3 cupcakes. How many cupcakes in all? = 21 (A) · Chef Bella found 15 sprinkles yesterday and 20 more today. How many sprinkles in all? = 35 (G)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "WE FOUND WHITE STAR FROSTING HAIR"Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (W) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, ___, 150, 160 = 140 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (T) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (O) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (U) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, ___, 33, 36 = 30 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80 = 60 (R) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (E) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (G) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (S) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (F)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 10) → Sammy Sweet2 + ___ = 11 = 9 · 8 + ___ = 19 = 11 · 4 + ___ = 6 = 2 · 3 + ___ = 7 = 4 · 9 + ___ = 15 = 6 · 1 + ___ = 13 = 12 · 6 + ___ = 14 = 8 · 9 + ___ = 16 = 7 · 9 + ___ = 14 = 5 · 2 + ___ = 5 = 3 · 2 + ___ = 3 = 1
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Word problems, Skip counting, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 1-2
- Theme
- The Cupcake Castle Caper — set in The Sweet Street Bakery
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects