The Best Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe
Introduction
These cotton candy cupcakes are a fun and whimsical twist on a classic treat, perfect for parties or a cheerful dessert. With fluffy pastel cake layers and light cotton candy-flavored frosting, they bring a playful burst of sweetness topped with real cotton candy flair.
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cotton candy flavoring
- Pink and blue food coloring
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons cotton candy flavoring (for frosting)
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream or milk
- 3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Blue and pink sanding sugar
- Blue and pink cotton candy
- Popsicle sticks
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two muffin tins with 18 paper liners and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, water, and 1 tablespoon cotton candy flavoring. Use an electric mixer to blend until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Tint one bowl pink and the other blue using food coloring; add just one drop per bowl for soft pastel colors.
- Step 4: Spoon layers of pink and blue batter alternately into each cupcake liner, filling about 3/4 full. Avoid swirling the colors to keep them distinct.
- Step 5: Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Step 6: For the frosting, beat the softened butter, vanilla extract, and 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons cotton candy flavoring together until smooth.
- Step 7: Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, about one cup at a time, alternating with small amounts of heavy cream or milk, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Step 8: Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint one pink and the other blue, again using minimal drops for a pastel finish.
- Step 9: Using a pastry bag fitted with your chosen tip, spoon blue frosting down one side of the bag and pink frosting down the other. Pipe swirled frosting onto each cupcake.
- Step 10: Sprinkle blue and pink sanding sugar over the frosted cupcakes.
- Step 11: To make cotton candy sticks, lightly dampen the end of a popsicle stick and press a small piece of cotton candy onto it. Attach the sticks just before serving, as cotton candy hardens quickly once exposed to air.
Tips & Variations
- For a more intense cotton candy flavor, adjust the cotton candy flavoring gradually in both cake and frosting, tasting as you go.
- Try using gel food coloring to prevent thinning your batter or frosting.
- Instead of layering the batter, gently dollop alternating colors for a marbled effect, but avoid overmixing to keep colors distinct.
- If you prefer natural toppings, omit the sanding sugar and garnish with edible flowers or sprinkles.
Storage
Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Frosted cupcakes can also be refrigerated for up to 3 days; allow them to come to room temperature before serving. Avoid storing cotton candy sticks with the cupcakes as the cotton candy will harden quickly in humidity.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake and frost the cupcakes a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Add the cotton candy sticks just before serving to keep them fresh and fluffy.
What can I substitute for cotton candy flavoring?
If you can’t find cotton candy flavoring, try using a small amount of bubblegum or vanilla extract for a similar sweet flavor, though it won’t exactly replicate cotton candy.
Print
The Best Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 18 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the whimsical charm of The Best Cotton Candy Cupcakes, featuring pastel-hued layers of moist white cake infused with cotton candy flavoring and topped with fluffy, swirled buttercream frosting. Enhanced with colorful sanding sugar and served alongside playful cotton candy sticks, these cupcakes are perfect for parties or any fun celebration.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp cotton candy flavoring
- Pink and blue food coloring
For the Frosting & Topping:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 to 1½ teaspoons cotton candy flavoring
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream or milk
- 3–4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Blue and pink sanding sugar
- Blue and pink cotton candy
- Popsicle sticks
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two muffin tins with 18 paper liners and set aside.
- Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, water, and 1 tablespoon cotton candy flavoring. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Divide the batter evenly between two bowls and tint one with a drop of pink food coloring and the other with a drop of blue for pastel shades.
- Fill the Muffin Cups: Layer the pink and blue batters into the muffin liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Avoid swirling to keep colors distinct.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, vanilla extract, and 1 to 1½ teaspoons cotton candy flavoring until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, about one cup at a time, alternating with little streams of heavy cream, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint one with blue and the other with pink food coloring to achieve your desired pastel shades.
- Pipe the Frosting: Fit a pastry bag with your desired tip. Spoon blue frosting down one side and pink frosting down the other side of the bag. Pipe onto the cooled cupcakes; the colors will blend slightly at the tip, creating a pretty purple hue.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle blue and pink sanding sugar over the frosted cupcakes. To make cotton candy sticks, lightly moisten one end of a popsicle stick and gently attach a small piece of cotton candy. Serve immediately, as cotton candy hardens quickly when exposed to air.
Notes
- Do not swirl batters when layering to keep the colors vibrant and separate.
- For best presentation, make cotton candy sticks just before serving.
- If desired, substitute milk for heavy cream in the frosting for a lighter texture.
- Use pastel gel food coloring for more vivid but soft coloring.
- Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cotton candy cupcakes, pastel cupcakes, buttercream frosting, party cupcakes, colorful cupcakes, whimsical desserts
