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Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe

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These whimsical Cotton Candy Cupcakes combine pastel-colored layers of fluffy white cake infused with cotton candy flavoring, topped with a matching cotton candy-flavored buttercream frosting and topped with vibrant sanding sugar and fresh cotton candy sticks for a fun and festive treat.

Ingredients

Scale

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 – 1½ tsp 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

  1. Preheat and Prepare Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two muffin tins with 18 paper liners. In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, water, and 1 tablespoon cotton candy flavoring using an electric mixer until the batter is smooth, about 2 minutes.
  2. Separate and Color Batter: Divide the batter evenly between two bowls. Tint one bowl with blue food coloring and the other with pink food coloring, using only one drop per bowl for a pastel effect.
  3. Fill Muffin Cups: Alternately layer the colored batters into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Avoid swirling the colors together to maintain distinct pastel layers.
  4. Bake Cupcakes: Bake for approximately 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 in the tins before transferring.
  5. Make Frosting: In a stand mixer bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, 1 to 1.5 teaspoons cotton candy flavoring, and vanilla extract until smooth, approximately 1 minute. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar about one cup at a time, alternating with little streams of heavy cream or milk until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  6. Color Frosting: Divide the frosting equally into two bowls. Tint one portion with blue food coloring and the other with pink, using one drop each for a soft pastel color.
  7. Prepare Dual-Color Piping Bag: Fill a pastry bag by spooning blue frosting down one side and pink frosting down the other side of the bag. Some mixing near the tip is okay and will create a purple shade when piped.
  8. Pipe Frosting: Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes in a swirl or desired pattern.
  9. Add Toppings: Sprinkle cupcakes with blue and pink sanding sugar for sparkle.
  10. Make Cotton Candy Sticks and Serve: Just before serving, tear small pieces of cotton candy and gently affix them onto popsicle sticks by dipping the stick tip in water and then attaching the cotton candy. Place the cotton candy sticks alongside the cupcakes. Serve immediately as cotton candy hardens quickly when exposed to air.

Notes

  • Do not swirl the cake batters together to keep the colors distinct and pastel.
  • One drop of food coloring per bowl is sufficient for soft pastel colors; add more for vibrant hues.
  • Cotton candy sticks should be made immediately before serving to avoid hardening.
  • You can substitute milk for heavy cream in the frosting if desired.
  • Use popsicle sticks rather than wooden skewers, for easier handling and presentation.

Keywords: cotton candy cupcakes, pastel cupcakes, cotton candy frosting, party cupcakes, colorful cupcakes, fun dessert, buttercream frosting

Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/cotton-candy-cupcakes-recipe/