Name: Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring; 1/2 cup whole milk; Pink food coloring; Blue food coloring; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons heavy cream; 1/2 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring; Pink and blue cotton candy (for topping)

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If you’re in the mood for a treat that’s as whimsical as it is delicious, these Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a magical pick! With their pastel swirls, fluffy frosting, and the unmistakable nostalgic flavor of cotton candy, each cupcake is like a bite-sized trip to the carnival. They’re soft, tender, and just the right amount of sweet, making them an instant hit at parties, birthdays, or whenever you’re craving a splash of color and fun in your day.

Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these cupcakes lies in their playful look and unique flavor, but what really makes them shine is the balance of simple, quality ingredients. Each one plays a key role in creating that signature taste and the gorgeous, swirled effect that screams celebration.

All-purpose flour: The foundation for a soft, fluffy crumb that holds all the magic together.
Baking powder: Gives the cupcakes their lift and ensures each bite is light and airy.
Salt: Just a pinch brings out the sweetness and intensifies the cotton candy flavoring.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps the cupcakes stay moist.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and balances the cotton candy notes.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to that lovely, tender texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and brings warmth to the cupcakes.
Cotton candy flavoring: This is the secret to capturing that classic carnival taste—don’t skip it!
Whole milk: Adds moisture and creates a smooth batter for perfectly baked cupcakes.
Pink and blue food coloring: Essential for that show-stopping, marbled effect that makes these cupcakes stand out.
Unsalted butter (for frosting): The base for a creamy, dreamy frosting that’s just begging to be piped high.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect consistency.
Heavy cream: Makes the frosting extra smooth and easy to spread or swirl.
Cotton candy flavoring (for frosting): Doubles down on the fun flavor, making every bite unmistakably cotton candy.
Pink and blue cotton candy (for garnish): The finishing touch—adds a pop of color and texture that makes everyone smile.

How to Make Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Muffin Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s good and hot by the time your batter is ready. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners for easy removal and a festive look—bonus points for pastel colors!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures everything is evenly distributed, so your Cotton Candy Cupcakes bake up nice and uniform every single time.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This is what gives your cupcakes that perfect, tender crumb, so don’t skimp on the mixing!

Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring for that unmistakable carnival aroma.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined—this is the secret to keeping your cupcakes fluffy.

Step 6: Color and Swirl the Batter

Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Tint one half with pink food coloring and the other with blue. Alternate spoonfuls of each color into your cupcake liners, then gently swirl with a toothpick for that beautiful marbled look.

Step 7: Bake

Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes. You’ll know your Cotton Candy Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely before frosting.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

Beat the room-temperature butter until it’s fluffy, then gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and a touch more cotton candy flavoring. Keep whipping until your frosting is smooth, light, and irresistibly creamy.

Step 9: Frost and Decorate

Pipe or spread your frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Just before serving, add a tuft of pink and blue cotton candy on top for that final, magical flourish.

How to Serve Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Garnishes

For truly irresistible Cotton Candy Cupcakes, garnish each one with a fluffy tuft of real cotton candy just before serving. A few edible glitter sprinkles can add a dazzling touch, and a drizzle of pastel glaze or a sparkly sugar pearl completes the look for special occasions.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes are a showstopper all on their own, but they pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, a simple fruit salad, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a full-on dessert spread that feels like a party.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or baby showers, arrange the cupcakes on a tiered stand, alternating the pink and blue tops for a playful effect. Or, display each cupcake in a clear plastic cup with a mini stick of cotton candy for that carnival-vendor vibe. They also look adorable in individual treat boxes for party favors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover Cotton Candy Cupcakes (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Remove the cotton candy garnish first, as it will melt or dissolve quickly.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months. Simply wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving for best results.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat these cupcakes, but if you want to freshen them up, let frozen cupcakes thaw at room temperature and then give them a quick zap in the microwave (about 5-10 seconds) to soften.

FAQs

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Absolutely! Bake the cupcakes and prepare the frosting a day in advance. Store them separately and assemble with the cotton candy garnish just before serving to keep everything fresh and fluffy.

Where can I find cotton candy flavoring?

Cotton candy flavoring is available at specialty baking stores and online retailers. Just a little goes a long way to capture that classic sweet flavor you love from the fair!

Can I use a different type Dessert

Yes, whole milk gives the richest texture, but you can substitute with 2% or even a non-dairy milk if you prefer. Keep in mind that the cupcakes might be slightly less moist with lower-fat milks.

What if I don’t have food coloring?

The food coloring is all about the look, so feel free to skip it if you prefer a classic vanilla appearance. The cupcakes will still taste wonderful and have that lovely cotton candy flavor.

Can I double this recipe for a big party?

Definitely! This recipe scales up beautifully, so go ahead and double or triple the ingredients to make enough Cotton Candy Cupcakes for everyone to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever dreamed of bringing the magic of a summer carnival into your kitchen, these Cotton Candy Cupcakes are your ticket! They’re easy, colorful, and bursting with fun—give them a try and watch everyone’s faces light up with joy.

Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Cotton Candy Cupcakes are whimsical, colorful treats perfect for parties and celebrations. These moist vanilla cupcakes are flavored with cotton candy essence and feature a delightful marbled effect in pink and blue hues. Topped with a fluffy cotton candy frosting and a tuft of real cotton candy, these cupcakes capture the magic of carnival sweets in a fun, easy-to-make dessert.

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
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
1/2 cup whole milk
Pink food coloring
Blue food coloring

Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring

Garnish

Pink and blue cotton candy (for topping)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. This ensures your cupcakes bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps give your cupcakes a tender crumb.
Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring for that signature carnival taste.
Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
Color the Batter: Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Add pink food coloring to one bowl and blue to the other, mixing each until the color is uniform.
Fill and Swirl: Alternately spoon pink and blue batter into the cupcake liners. Use a toothpick to gently swirl the colors together to create a marbled effect without over-mixing.
Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and cotton candy flavoring, whipping the mixture until it becomes light, smooth, and spreadable.
Frost and Garnish: Spread or pipe the frosting onto each cooled cupcake. Just before serving, top each cupcake with a small tuft of pink and blue cotton candy for a playful and visually stunning presentation.

Notes

Add cotton candy topping immediately before serving to prevent it from melting or dissolving due to moisture.
Cotton candy flavoring can be found at specialty baking stores or purchased online.
You can use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
For a dairy-free option, substitute the butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
Store cupcakes in an airtight container without topping the cotton candy to keep them fresh.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American