Description
These Best Cotton Candy Cupcakes bring a whimsical twist to classic cupcakes with vibrant pink and blue layers, infused with cotton candy flavoring both in the batter and the buttercream frosting. Perfectly moist and fluffy, topped with colorful sanding sugar and a playful cotton candy pop, these cupcakes are ideal for celebrations and fun gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 box white cake mix
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp cotton candy flavoring
- Pink food coloring
- Blue food coloring
Frosting
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 – 1 1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream or milk
- 3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Pink food coloring
- Blue food coloring
Decoration
- Blue and pink sanding sugar
- Blue and pink cotton candy
- Popsicle sticks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two muffin tins with 18 paper liners to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, water, and 1 tablespoon cotton candy flavoring. Mix until smooth, about 2 minutes. Divide the batter evenly into two separate bowls, then add blue food coloring to one and pink to the other, mixing well to incorporate the color.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Evenly distribute the blue and pink batters into the muffin cups, layering without swirling to maintain distinct colors. Fill each cup about three-quarters full.
- Bake: Place the muffin tins in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, vanilla extract, and 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons cotton candy flavoring. Gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar alternated with the heavy cream or milk until the frosting reaches a fluffy consistency. Divide the frosting into two separate bowls and tint one with blue food coloring and the other with pink food coloring.
- Pipe Frosting: Fit a pastry bag with a large star tip and spoon blue frosting down one side of the bag and pink frosting down the other side. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes in a swirl pattern to create a two-tone effect.
- Decorate: Sprinkle the frosted cupcakes with blue and pink sanding sugar for sparkle. Attach small pieces of cotton candy to popsicle sticks and place them atop each cupcake as a whimsical, eye-catching topper.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use cotton candy flavoring sparingly, as it is quite potent.
- Layer the batter gently to create distinct pink and blue layers without mixing.
- Popsicle sticks should be inserted carefully to avoid breaking the cupcakes.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives.
