Description
These Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a whimsical treat that transports you to a carnival with every bite. The fluffy, pastel-hued frosting melts in your mouth, while the light and airy cake base offers a delightful sweetness reminiscent of spun sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cupcake Base:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cotton Candy Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp cotton candy flavoring
- Food coloring (pink and blue)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with batter and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add the heavy cream and cotton candy flavoring, mixing until well combined. Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint one with pink food coloring and the other with blue.
- Using a piping bag, swirl the pink and blue frosting on top of each cooled cupcake to create a cotton candy effect.
Notes
- Make-ahead: Cupcakes can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Storage: Frosted cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Substitutions: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: desserts
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake with frosting
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30 grams
- Sodium: 150 milligrams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 9 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 3 grams
- Cholesterol: 40 milligrams
Keywords: Cotton Candy Cupcakes, carnival cupcakes, sweet treats, dessert recipes, fluffy cupcakes, cotton candy flavor, party desserts, colorful frosting, whimsical desserts, baking recipes, festive cupcakes, easy cupcake recipes, American desserts