Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a fun, whimsical dessert that captures the sweet, airy flavor of cotton candy in a soft and fluffy cupcake form. With a light and tender cake base topped with a sweet cotton candy-flavored frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for parties, birthdays, or any occasion where you want to add a playful touch. The cotton candy flavor brings nostalgia and joy in every bite!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cupcakes:
all-purpose flour
baking powder
salt
unsalted butter (softened)
granulated sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
whole milk
cotton candy flavoring (or cotton candy extract)

For the Frosting:
unsalted butter (softened)
powdered sugar
cotton candy flavoring (or cotton candy extract)
milk
food coloring (optional, for pastel shades)

For Garnish:
cotton candy (for topping, optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Stir in the cotton candy flavoring, adding to taste.
6. Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the batter.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
9. Add the cotton candy flavoring and a splash of milk, beating until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If you’d like, add a few drops of food coloring to achieve a fun pastel hue.
10. Frost the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the cotton candy frosting onto each cupcake.
11. Garnish: Top each cupcake with a small tuft of cotton candy for a fun and festive touch (optional).

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 12 cupcakes.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 18-20 minutes
Cooling time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Variations

• Flavored Cupcakes: For a different flavor base, add a few drops of another extract, like strawberry or vanilla, to the batter.
• Colored Frosting: Use different colors of food coloring to create a rainbow effect with the frosting.
• Mini Cupcakes: For smaller servings, use mini cupcake liners and reduce the baking time to 12-15 minutes.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
The cotton candy on top is best enjoyed fresh, so it’s recommended to add it just before serving.

FAQs

Can I use regular cotton candy instead of flavoring?
Using actual cotton candy on top as a garnish is fine, but for flavoring, it’s best to use cotton candy extract or flavoring, as it’ll give a more consistent taste.

Can I make the cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, the cupcakes can be baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Add the frosting and cotton candy garnish the day you plan to serve them.

Can I use a different frosting flavor?
Absolutely! You can use vanilla, strawberry, or any flavor that you like. Just make sure the frosting complements the sweetness of the cotton candy flavor.

Conclusion

Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a whimsical and delightful dessert that will bring a burst of sweetness to any occasion. With their soft texture, sweet cotton candy flavor, and colorful frosting, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit at parties, celebrations, or just as a fun treat for any time of year. Whether you’re a fan of cotton candy or just looking for a fun, creative cupcake recipe, this one will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!

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