Olympic Torch Cupcake Cones

These cupcake cones are the perfect treat to enjoy while watching the Olympics! I made these for a viewing party of the Opening Ceremony in Sochi. These carrot cake cupcakes are baked into ice cream cones and topped with orange cream cheese frosting. I'm really happy with the choice to make carrot cake, I think the slivers of carrot contribute to the metaphor of a flame.

I first came across the idea of baking cupcakes in ice cream cones when I saw this post by scoochmaroo (https://www.instructables.com/id/Cupcake-Cones/) a few years ago.

Yesterday when I was trying to figure out what to bring to this viewing party, I google searched 'olympics themed desserts' and saw so many fun ideas! The Olympic Torch Cupcakes by Statsy (http://stasty.com/?p=4268) struck me the most and I just couldn't wait to try it myself!

To make these delicious olympics themed treats you will need the following ingredients:

- For the cupcakes:
Carrot cake mix
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
3 eggs
optional: grated carrots

- ice cream cones
- cream cheese frosting
- food coloring
- gold sprinkles

- piping bag
- baking sheet

Preheat the oven to 350 deg F. Then, to prepare the carrot cake batter -  mix the cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and grated carrots in a large bowl.

Arrange the ice cream cones on a baking sheet. The box that I purchased contained 24 which was good since I didn't need as many and some had broken rims. Choose the best ones and display them in neat rows. It's ok to include some that aren't perfect - they can be perfect for taste testing later!

Then, fill each ice cream cone about 2/3rds full with batter. Clean off any batter that may have dripped onto the rims of the ice cream cones.

Bake the cupcakes for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Scrap the cream cheese frosting into a bowl. Add about 3 - 4 drops of orange food coloring and give it a good stir. Fill a piping bag with the frosting.

Using the piping bag, decorate the tops of the cupcakes in a spiral pattern so that it looks like flames. 

Sprinkle the tops of the cupcake cones with gold glitter sugar sprinkles.

Enjoy these delicious treats and I hope that you can do so while watching the Olympics!