Start with 24 cupcakes that have been baked and completely cooled. You can use your favorite flavor box mix, or your favorite from scratch recipe. (Consider using my chocolate cupcakes or vanilla cupcakes if you want a from scratch cupcake.) Place the cupcakes on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Make room for a second cookie sheet lined with wax paper in your freezer.

For sprinkle filled ice cream: scoop half of a 1.5Q container of ice cream into a bowl and let it soften for a few minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup sprinkles, then place the bowl back in the freezer to firm up while you prepare the cupcakes. Otherwise, just have your favorite flavor ice cream in the freezer and ready to go.

To prep the cupcakes: use a pairing knife to cut a large circle (about the size of a half dollar) in the top of the cupcake. Cut down almost to the bottom of the cupcake, then lift out the cut part. You should end up with a cone shaped chunk of cake. Slice the cone off of each of the cupcake pieces. (You need to make the piece of cake smaller, because the cupcake will be filled with ice cream.)

I suggest you prepare all the cupcakes for the ice cream, then place your second cookie sheet in the freezer. Work in batches of 3-4 cupcakes, filling with ice cream, then placing on the cookie sheet that’s in the freezer. That way the ice cream won’t melt out of the cupcakes.

Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of ice cream into the center of each cupcake. Place the top back on and press gently. Put the cupcake on the cookie sheet in the freezer. Continue until all the cupcakes are filled and in the freezer.

Cover the cupcakes with plastic wrap (leaving them on the cookie sheet) and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving. You can place them (frozen) in a single layer in large

Ziploc bags and freeze for up to 1 month before serving.

When ready to serve, have your frosting or a thawed carton of Cool Whip ready. Remove a cupcake from the freezer, frost as desired, and serve immediately. (For an amazing chocolate frosting recipe try this one or for vanilla, this is my favorite.