Twinkling Tree Cupcakes

Ice cream cones are the basis for these Twinkling Trees cupcakes that are truly special in Red & Green Swirl Baking Cups. We've given you an edible version and one best suited for a centerpiece!

What you need:

Reynolds^® Baked for You^®  Baking Cups (Holiday Swirl)
1 package (18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
2 containers (16 oz.) ready-to-spread white frosting -- one to
frost the cupcakes, one to make the edible trees
Multicolor sprinkles, nonpareils or assorted mini candies
Yellow rolled fondant or a flat pieces of chewing gum for star
Centerpiece Trees
4 sugar ice cream cones
2 cans (6.4 oz. each) ready-to-use decorating icing
Small star cookie cutter
Edible Trees
20 sugar ice cream cones
Green food coloring

Instructions:

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. 

PLACE Reynolds Baking Cups in muffin pans; set aside. 

PREPARE cake mix following package directions for 24 cupcakes.  Spoon batter into baking cups. 

BAKE following package directions (17to 23 minutes).  Cool.

Life-like trees use 1/4 can of green icing each and make beautiful centerpieces, The simpler version is a better choice for consumption.

SPREAD one container of white frosting onto 16 cupcakes; set aside.

MAKE four (4) centerpiece trees

1. Using the green decorating icing with a leaf tip, start 1/2-inch from the point of the cone and work your way down the cone making leaves with frosting as you go.  Leaving the tip undecorated will allow you to transfer the decorated cone to the top of the cupcake without touching the icing. 
   
2. Holding onto the undecorated tip of the tree, place one decorated ice cream cone onto center of each of four cupcakes.
3. Finish decorating the top of the cone with frosting and sprinkles.
4. Use a small star cookie cutter to cut a star out of chewing gum or rolled fondant. Place star on top of tree.

MAKE twenty (20) trees better suited for eating

1. Use scissors to cut ice cream cones to about 2" tall.
2. Tint second container of frosting green.
3. Use a spatula or knife to spread a thin layer of icing on cones - again, leaving the tip uncovered for clean transfer to the cupcake.
4. Place decorated cones on frosted cupcakes.
5. Follow decorating/placing directions above.

Want to add an extra-tasty surprise?  Consider one of the following ideas:

1. Before spreading green frosting on ice cream cones, use a knife or spreader to put Nutella® Hazelnut Spread or melted chocolate chips inside.  If chocolate chips, refrigerate until chocolate is solid and then decorate.
2. Place candy, chocolate kiss, or other surprise in the center of the cupcake before you add the ice cream cone...to be revealed when taken off the cupcake