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Cotton Candy Cupcake Recipe

Cotton Candy Cupcake Recipe


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4.5 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet cotton candy cupcakes bring whimsical childhood memories to life with fluffy frosting and pastel-colored sprinkles. Delicate bakery magic promises delightful moments you will savor and share with friends and family.


Ingredients

Scale

Cupcake Base:

  • 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 0.5 cup butter (softened)
  • 0.75 cup milk
  • 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coloring:

  • Pink gel food coloring
  • Blue gel food coloring

Frosting:

  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cotton candy flavoring
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Garnish:

  • Cotton candy tufts
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Calibrate the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
  2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl, then set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar until ethereal and voluminous. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition, then fold in vanilla extract.
  4. Methodically integrate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with milk, and mix until ingredients are harmoniously combined.
  5. Partition batter into two separate containers, infusing one portion with vibrant pink food coloring and the other with electric blue.
  6. Carefully deposit alternating pink and blue batters into cupcake liners, creating a mesmerizing marbled pattern by gently swirling with a toothpick.
  7. Transfer muffin tin to preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges pristine. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Whip butter until silky, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar, cotton candy flavoring, and milk until achieving a smooth consistency. Divide frosting and tint into complementary pink and blue hues.
  9. Artfully pipe swirled frosting onto cooled cupcakes, adorning with delicate cotton candy wisps and playful sprinkles just moments before serving.

Notes

  • Choose high-quality food coloring to achieve vibrant, even colors without affecting the batter’s taste or texture.
  • Fold batter gently when mixing colors to maintain soft, airy cupcake consistency and prevent overmixing.
  • Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and milk for smoother batter and more consistent baking results.
  • Replace regular milk with lactose-free or almond milk for a dairy-free version that maintains the same delightful texture.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 310 kcal
  • Sugar: 38 g
  • Sodium: 160 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg