Ingredients

23

flat-bottom ice cream cones

2 1/3

cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

2 1/2

teaspoons baking powder

1/2

teaspoon salt

1

cup butter or margarine, softened

1 1/4

cups granulated sugar

3

whole eggs

1

teaspoon vanilla

2/3

cup milk

2/3

cup root beer (measure liquid only—not foam)

Root beer candies, coarsely crushed, if desired

46

straws, if desired

3/4

cup granulated sugar

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1/3

cup cold root beer

1/4

teaspoon cream of tartar

Dash salt

2

egg whites

1

teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F. Stand ice cream cones in muffin pans. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.

In large bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add whole eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third a time, and 2/3 cup root beer, about half at a time, beating just until blended.

Divide batter evenly among ice cream cones, filling each with scant 1/4 cup batter.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cones from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

In heavy 3-quart saucepan, mix all frosting ingredients except vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on high speed 1 minute, scraping pan constantly. Place over low heat. Beat on high speed about 10 minutes or until stiff peaks form; remove from heat. Add vanilla. Beat on high speed 2 minutes or until fluffy.

Frost cupcakes; decorate with root beer candies. Cut about 4 inches off bottom of each straw; discard. Poke 2 straws into each cupcake.