🌭Mini Mummies 🪲

Reader’s Note from The Dreamer: Mummies in Harvest Hollow have been speculated to have come from Anubis of the Reader’s Realm as a way to continue traditions of ancient Egyptian mummification in The Thicket. As such, they are, in this context, undead entities that exist only in The Twilight Table and not the souls of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and people that inspired their namesake and iconography. Though a lot of research has been done to create the lore behind them, this in no way even holds a candle to the rich, complex, and beautiful culture that inspired my mummy family. This story is a work of fantasy inspired by Egyptology. If you’re interested in learning more about the real traditions, I highly recommend this article on The Smithsonian website.

Unraveling

At this rate, you'd think the Monster Sabbatical wasn't an annual event. And yet, just like every other year, all of the heads of the monster households packed up their bags to go on a trip, leaving their children, protégés, and mentees to fend for themselves. Every household handled it a little bit differently… But the House of Pharaohs was simply unraveling.

The mummies were used to a certain kind of treatment, being of royal lineage and greatly favored. When the Pharaoh Anpumose left, they seemed to have forgotten, or perhaps never had the faculty, to keep the scarabs in check and the wandering souls that served them on schedule.

Within a fortnight of King Anpumose leaving, Opal Mae got the call from his distressed royal offspring.

She hurriedly went to the Catacombs deep beneath the cemetery, and upon entering The Temple, she quickly saw that the royal tomb was in total disarray.

Ahmose had not had his wrappings changed in a few days. He fretted about as he had never tried to do it without the help of their spectral servants, and in attempting to prove his self suffiencece had tied himself in knots. 

Thutmose complained of needing to be excerebrated, a process that had to happen monthly when their brains began to grow back, causing total discomfort. 

Nedjemet was doing relatively better than the rest, but still felt as if the world were ending because she wasn't dressed each morning in her usual perfume and jewelry. Opal had to explain that the items were brought to her and did not simply show up on her bed every morning. 

Worst of all, the palace cat Sekhmet’s food bowl had been left without any offerings, making her yowl at the sight of a capable witch who would be able to give her the attention she so deserved. 

“You all are in a bit of a bind, it seems,” Opal humoured, after gathering the royal children in the center chambers. 

“We thought we were able to handle it all,” Nedjemet chuckled, “But it seems like we weren’t aware of how much our father was doing to keep us together!”

Mummies in Harvest Hollow are curious indeed, and endlessly fascinating. What they lack in apparent credentials, they make up for in endless charm and class, as well as a willingness to learn. Opal Mae let out a sigh. She knew her work was cut out for her this week. She grabbed her broomstick and her summoning spellbook, her linens and amulets, and got to work. 

🌭Mini Mummies 🪲

Wrapped in biscuits instead of linens

Recipe

Recipe Information

Total Time: ~20–25 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly
Category: Bites – Appetizers & Small Bites

🥗 Dietary Information
✅ Customizable (plant-based hot dogs and pastry alternatives can be used)
✅ Vegan (with suitable pastry dough, sauces, and decorations)
⚠ Contains Gluten (depending on pastry dough)
⚠ Contains Dairy (depending on pastry dough)
⚠ Check labels to confirm halal suitability and dietary compatibility

Ingredients

🌭 Lightlife vegan hot dogs – For compassion, inclusivity, and honoring the people who inspire our stories
🥐 Your favorite pastry dough – For creativity, comfort, and wrapping a little magic into the everyday
🍅 Ketchup, hoisin sauce, or red frosting – For binding, sweetness, and a touch of theatrical mischief
👀 Candy eyeballs – For curiosity, playfulness, and bringing little spirits to life

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Mummies
   Preheat your oven according to the instructions on your pastry dough packaging.
   Separate the dough into triangles and wrap each vegan hot dog, leaving small gaps between the strips to create the look of mummy bandages.
2. Bake
   Place the wrapped hot dogs on a baking sheet and bake according to the pastry dough package instructions, until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
3. Give Them Eyes
   Once the mini mummies have cooled slightly, use a small dab of ketchup, hoisin sauce, or red frosting to attach two candy eyeballs to each one.
   – ✨ A Little Kitchen Magic: I recommend Lightlife vegan hot dogs for this recipe. Mini mummies are inspired by Egyptian imagery, and I wanted the recipe to honor that inspiration with a thoughtful ingredient choice. Egypt is home to a large Muslim population, and pork is prohibited in Islam. Using plant-based hot dogs offers a more inclusive alternative to traditional pork-based pigs in a blanket. Just remember to check product and ingredient labels if halal suitability is important to you.

✨ Best Enjoyed…

• While watching Brendan Fraser's The Mummy
• Packed into a school lunchbox to bring a little whimsy to spooky season
• On a surprisingly warm autumn day, shared with friends
• Lightly roasted over a bonfire as the veil thins and the mummies come out to play