Rootbeer Float Cupcakes

My Grandma lived in a HUGE old house when I was younger. It seemed almost magical with all the rooms and doors that were all somehow connected to each other. There were small little doors that would lead to closets that were big enough to be called a 'clubhouse' if you were little, and in a game of hide-and-go-seek, these were my favourite spots.  The grand stairway seemed gigantic when you were small and  led up to a dimly lit upper level that took some bravery to walk up to alone, but you could be sure that one of the seven aunts or uncles would be up there somewhere, so only the middle part of the stairs was truly scary. My dad was the oldest of the bunch, which meant that when we went to visit Gram, there was always some of the younger ones still around, and that made going there something I loved to do. The kitchen table was always a buzz with chatter of homework and friends visiting. I learned how fun a board game was at that kitchen table, or even a family favourite game of Ten Thousand. If you rolled the dice and didn't get any points the whole table would yell 'WALLY!', a bad roll named after a wonderful man. I am smiling right now, just thinking of all of the memories of Gram's house....Her vegetable garden, the dirt cellar with the tool room with the little hammer I thought was meant for me, the two wheeler that I would try so hard to ride by myself, the extra large Christmas tree at Christmas time and Corky the dog and his coloured dog biscuits that I would always want to eat (and sometimes did). Those were the 'good ol' days'.

Another favourite memory of mine was getting a root beer float at Gram's house. It was always made in the dark green plastic cups and I would always need a spoon and the A&W bear straw. I loved to see his face turn brown while I sucked up the ice creamy root beer.

A few weeks ago, I ordered some Watkins root beer extract from a lady at work. What else could I do with it other than make a 'Root beer Float Cupcake'? I started with a basic cupcake batter and added the extract to taste. They smelled great while baking in the oven! I topped it off with a vanilla buttercream, some caramel drizzle and a pop bottle gummy on top. They looked great and tasted incredible! Definitely one of my favourites!

Rootbeer Float Cupcakes