Description
These Cotton Candy Cupcakes are delightfully whimsical and perfect for parties or themed celebrations. Featuring a swirled pink and blue batter, fluffy cotton candy-flavored frosting, and topped with a sprinkle of real cotton candy, these cupcakes offer a colorful carnival-inspired dessert that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink and blue food coloring gel
- 1/2 cup cotton candy, finely chopped for topping
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
- Pink and blue food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners to ensure the cupcakes won’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your batter.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth consistency, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Color the Batter. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Tint one bowl pink and the other blue using food coloring gel for a vibrant effect.
- Create Swirled Cupcakes. Spoon alternating colors of batter into each cupcake liner to achieve a pretty swirled look that resembles cotton candy.
- Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cupcakes are fully cooked.
- Cool Completely. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to ensure the frosting does not melt.
- Make the Frosting. Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream and cotton candy flavoring until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Color Frosting. Divide the frosting into two bowls, tint one pink and one blue, then swirl the two colors together in a piping bag to mimic cotton candy colors.
- Frost and Decorate. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and top each with finely chopped cotton candy just before serving to keep it fresh and fluffy.
Notes
- Add the cotton candy topping just before serving to prevent it from dissolving.
- If cotton candy flavoring is unavailable, vanilla frosting is a great alternative.
- This recipe is perfect for parties and themed celebrations, especially those with a carnival or whimsical theme.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
