🔎 Missing cupcakeGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionWord problemsSkip countingMissing addends
The Great Cupcake Caper
Oh no! The giant prize cupcake has vanished from the bakery counter. Baker Bob needs your help to find the sneaky cupcake bandit before the big party starts.
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 | Secret Tool | Baking Trick | Spatula Hand | Hair Topping | Tasty Trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meg | icing blower | cream piping | left handed | white flour | loud oven timer |
| Dan | sprinkle shooter | cream piping | right handed | blue sprinkles | loud oven timer |
| Hal | sprinkle shooter | flour dusting | left handed | white flour | fresh strawberries |
| Ava | whisk spinner | cherry throwing | right handed | blue sprinkles | fresh strawberries |
| Rex | icing blower | sugar dusting | right handed | blue sprinkles | cold milk |
| Jay | dough roller | sugar dusting | left handed | white flour | fresh strawberries |
| Tia | icing blower | cream piping | right handed | white flour | fresh strawberries |
| Joy | whisk spinner | sugar dusting | left handed | white flour | cold milk |
| Leo | dough roller | cherry throwing | right handed | blue sprinkles | loud oven timer |
| Gus | dough roller | cream piping | left handed | white flour | loud oven timer |
| Max | pan clapper | flour dusting | right handed | blue sprinkles | loud oven timer |
| Ned | icing blower | flour dusting | left handed | white flour | fresh strawberries |
| Roy | sprinkle shooter | jelly dripping | right handed | pink frosting | cold milk |
| Zoe | dough roller | jelly dripping | left handed | blue sprinkles | fresh strawberries |
| Eli | icing blower | flour dusting | left handed | blue sprinkles | fresh strawberries |
| Tim | sprinkle shooter | cherry throwing | left handed | white flour | fresh strawberries |
| Fay | icing blower | sugar dusting | left handed | white flour | fresh strawberries |
| Pam | pan clapper | jelly dripping | left handed | pink frosting | cold milk |
| Sam | whisk spinner | cream piping | left handed | blue sprinkles | fresh strawberries |
| Mia | dough roller | cream piping | right handed | blue sprinkles | loud oven timer |
| Ben | pan clapper | jelly dripping | left handed | white flour | cold milk |
Clue 1
Addition
Let us add up the spilled baking cups on the floor to see where the bandit went.
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
9
18
19
12
4
2
11
16
T
9
16
13
2
7
T
9
4
6
18
19
15
15
10
T
9
18
15
7
8
19
15
2 + 7 =T
4 + 3 =O
1 + 1 =N
12 + 6 =H
7 + 5 =B
6 + 2 =W
2 + 2 =A
6 + 4 =Y
2 + 4 =C
5 + 6 =D
6 + 9 =R
11 + 8 =E
9 + 7 =I
3 + 10 =S
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
The bandit took away some frosting bowls from our stack. Let us count how many are left.
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
1
18
12
5
18
12
6
9
T
1
18
12
10
2
16
T
1
14
6
16
7
11
T
1
18
T
1
18
12
11
3
6
12
13
T
1
18
16
4
9
7 - 6 =T
12 - 8 =N
12 - 3 =D
20 - 6 =U
18 - 7 =I
10 - 7 =R
6 - 4 =P
11 - 4 =W
19 - 6 =F
19 - 1 =H
10 - 4 =L
19 - 3 =A
9 - 4 =Y
18 - 6 =E
16 - 6 =S
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Word problems
Baker Bob needs help solving a tasty baking puzzle to unlock the next secret clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
F
37
30
39
34
9
34
40
30
19
W
B
39
30
30
I
39
34
There were 41 aprons. 4 were used up. How many aprons are left?F
Baker Bob lined up 3 rows of 10 spatulas. How many spatulas in all?R
There were 43 cherries. 9 were used up. How many cherries are left?S
Baker Bob lined up 8 rows of 5 spatulas. How many spatulas in all?T
There were 16 cupcakes. 7 were used up. How many cupcakes are left?H
Baker Bob found 37 cupcakes yesterday and 2 more today. How many cupcakes in all?E
Baker Bob found 10 cupcakes yesterday and 9 more today. How many cupcakes in all?A
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
Look at the rows of delicious cookies. We can count them by twos to find the hidden path.
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
15
24
100
16
130
45
20
W
15
18
36
65
24
100
22
16
130
28
36
45
65
18
24
18
9
36
28
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21W
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28E
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32R
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150U
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120F
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26L
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75T
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15A
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20O
0/13 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We have four cupcakes but need ten total for the party. How many more must we bake to find the final clue.
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
7 + ___ = 16
5 + ___ = 11
10 + ___ = 12
4 + ___ = 16
6 + ___ = 9
4 + ___ = 11
7 + ___ = 17
3 + ___ = 11
7 + ___ = 11
10 + ___ = 11
4 + ___ = 15
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain clangs heavy baking pans together, then makes the floor slippery with sugar dusting.
2.The villain rolls out flat paths of dough, then makes the floor slippery with sugar dusting.
3.The villain blasts a shower of sweet sprinkles, then leaves a trail of sticky jelly dripping.
4.The villain blasts a shower of sweet sprinkles, then makes the floor slippery with sugar dusting.
5.The villain sprays sticky sweet icing, then creates a white cloud of flour dusting.
6.The villain sprays sticky sweet icing, then makes the floor slippery with sugar dusting.
7.The villain clangs heavy baking pans together, then hurls bright red cherries at the walls.
8.The villain sprays sticky sweet icing, then leaves a trail of sticky jelly dripping.
9.The villain blasts a shower of sweet sprinkles, then creates a white cloud of flour dusting.
10.The villain clangs heavy baking pans together, then creates a white cloud of flour dusting.
11.The villain clangs heavy baking pans together, then leaves a trail of sticky jelly dripping.
12.The villain sprays sticky sweet icing, then pipes sweet fluffy cream over the door.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Cupcake Caper
Culprit: Ned (icing blower · flour dusting · left handed · white flour · fresh strawberries)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE BANDIT IS NOT A CHERRY THROWER"2 + 7 = 9 (T) · 4 + 3 = 7 (O) · 1 + 1 = 2 (N) · 12 + 6 = 18 (H) · 7 + 5 = 12 (B) · 6 + 2 = 8 (W) · 2 + 2 = 4 (A) · 6 + 4 = 10 (Y) · 2 + 4 = 6 (C) · 5 + 6 = 11 (D) · 6 + 9 = 15 (R) · 11 + 8 = 19 (E) · 9 + 7 = 16 (I) · 3 + 10 = 13 (S)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THEY HELD THE SPATULA WITH THEIR LEFT HAND"7 - 6 = 1 (T) · 12 - 8 = 4 (N) · 12 - 3 = 9 (D) · 20 - 6 = 14 (U) · 18 - 7 = 11 (I) · 10 - 7 = 3 (R) · 6 - 4 = 2 (P) · 11 - 4 = 7 (W) · 19 - 6 = 13 (F) · 19 - 1 = 18 (H) · 10 - 4 = 6 (L) · 19 - 3 = 16 (A) · 9 - 4 = 5 (Y) · 18 - 6 = 12 (E) · 16 - 6 = 10 (S)
- Clue 3 (Word problems): "FRESH STRAWBERRIES"There were 41 aprons. 4 were used up. How many aprons are left? = 37 (F) · Baker Bob lined up 3 rows of 10 spatulas. How many spatulas in all? = 30 (R) · There were 43 cherries. 9 were used up. How many cherries are left? = 34 (S) · Baker Bob lined up 8 rows of 5 spatulas. How many spatulas in all? = 40 (T) · There were 16 cupcakes. 7 were used up. How many cupcakes are left? = 9 (H) · Baker Bob found 37 cupcakes yesterday and 2 more today. How many cupcakes in all? = 39 (E) · Baker Bob found 10 cupcakes yesterday and 9 more today. How many cupcakes in all? = 19 (A)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "WE FOUND WHITE FLOUR IN THE HAIR"Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21 = 15 (W) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (E) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (R) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (U) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (F) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30 = 20 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (L) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24 = 18 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (T) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (A) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (O)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 5) → Ned7 + ___ = 16 = 9 · 5 + ___ = 11 = 6 · 10 + ___ = 12 = 2 · 4 + ___ = 16 = 12 · 6 + ___ = 9 = 3 · 4 + ___ = 11 = 7 · 7 + ___ = 17 = 10 · 3 + ___ = 11 = 8 · 7 + ___ = 11 = 4 · 10 + ___ = 11 = 1 · 4 + ___ = 15 = 11
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 Great Cupcake Caper — set in The Sunny Day Bakery
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects