Directions for Cupcakes:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray or line a standard muffin tin.Steps 1-2: Add cake mix to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, add in your oil, eggs, and soda, and mix on medium until well incorporated. Step 3: Add batter into the muffin tin until each is about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting. Directions for Frosting:Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand or stand mixer, cream the butter, and beat until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).Step 5 Mix the half and half or milk and root beer soda together. (If you don’t, the soda on its own will break your frosting)Step 6: Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, while adding a bit of the liquid mixture from Step 5 in between each cup. Continue to mix for 1 minute or until creamy. Step 7: Prepare a piping bag and fill the bag with frosting and frost your cupcakes. Add your maraschino cherry and straw if desired. Enjoy! Makes 24 cupcakes.