Mardi Gras Cupcakes

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1 Preheat oven to 350°F. For the Cupcakes, mix flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
• 2 Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds or until softened. Add granulated sugar and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl frequently. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Alternately beat in flour mixture and milk on medium-low speed just until mixed. Spoon batter into 12 lightly greased or paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.
• 3 Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.
• 4 For the Frosting, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and Root Beer Concentrate; beat until fluffy. Set aside.
• 5 Make an indentation in the center of each cupcake using the handle of a wooden spoon or a straw, making sure not to break through bottom of cupcake. Spoon Frosting into resealable plastic bag or piping bag fitted with star tip. If using plastic bag, cut a small piece off one of the bottom corners of bag. Pipe a small amount of Frosting into each cupcake. Pipe remaining Frosting onto each cupcake. Sprinkle with colored sugar, if desired.