Description
Delightfully colorful and whimsical, these Best Cotton Candy Cupcakes combine a soft, fluffy texture with a playful cotton candy flavor. Perfect for birthdays or carnival-themed parties, they feature a swirl of pink and blue batter and frosting, topped with a tuft of cotton candy for an enchanting finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
- ½ cup whole milk
- Pink and blue food coloring
- Optional: cotton candy for garnish
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
- Pink and blue food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Liners: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute leavening and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for rise.
- Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring to infuse the batter with sweet, nostalgic flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and whole milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to prevent tough cupcakes.
- Divide and Color Batter: Split the batter evenly between two bowls and tint one portion pink and the other blue using food coloring for the classic cotton candy look.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon a little of each colored batter alternately into the liners to create a swirl effect when baked.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cupcakes are done.
- Cool: Remove from oven and allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly between additions.
- Add Flavor and Color to Frosting: Stir in vanilla extract, cotton candy flavoring, and 1–2 tablespoons milk to reach desired consistency. Divide frosting into two bowls and tint one pink and the other blue.
- Pipe Frosting: Spoon each colored frosting side-by-side into a piping bag to create a beautiful swirl effect when piped onto cupcakes.
- Frost Cupcakes: Pipe the multi-colored frosting onto the cooled cupcakes, covering them evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, top each cupcake with a small tuft of cotton candy to enhance the fun, carnival-inspired presentation.
Notes
- Add the cotton candy garnish right before serving to prevent it from melting and losing its texture.
- Cotton candy flavoring can be found online or in specialty baking stores; it adds an authentic carnival flavor.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to keep cupcakes light and tender.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the batter or frosting.
