Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350F.

Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the white cake mix and cotton candy soda for 2-3 minutes. Adjust the color with light blue food dye, if desired. (If using, make the cake batter a deeper blue than you want the finished cupcake to be as it will lighten with baking.)

Scoop the cupcake batter with a measuring cup into the cupcake liners.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. (1 – 2 hours)

While waiting, place 1 cup of cotton candy soda in a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce to medium-low and simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup (2 ounces of soda should remain). Allow to cool completely.

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and powdered icing sugar for 2 minutes, then add the reduced cotton candy soda. Beat to mix well, then add the milk as needed to achieve a spreadable texture. Adjust the color with blue food dye, if desired.

Scoop the frosting into a piping bag and snip off 1” of the tip.

Swirl the frosting onto the cupcakes and then around the edge to create a “basket” effect.

Smooth the ridges of the frosting with an offset spatula.

Fill the basket with cotton candy and then garnish with pop rocks.