Bring a touch of whimsy to your next celebration with these delightful Cotton Candy Cupcakes. These light and fluffy cupcakes are made with a cotton candy-flavored batter, beautifully swirled in pastel pink and blue. Topped with smooth, colorful frosting and finished with playful decorations, they’re a sweet treat that will brighten any occasion. The cotton candy flavor adds a nostalgic twist to these fun cupcakes, making them a hit with both kids and adults.
Embrace the fun and festive charm of Cotton Candy Cupcakes, a deliciously sweet and fluffy dessert that evokes childhood memories. These cupcakes are perfect for any celebration, from birthday parties to themed events, with their vibrant colors and nostalgic cotton candy flavor.
INGREDIENTS
- Sugar: 1 cup, for sweetness in the batter.
- Baking soda: ¼ tsp, to help the cupcakes rise.
- Baking powder: 1 ¼ tsp, to provide additional lift.
- All-purpose flour: 1 ⅔ cups, for the base of the batter.
- Egg whites: 3, to give the cupcakes a light and fluffy texture.
- Cotton candy extract: 1 ½ tsp, for a fun and nostalgic flavor.
- Sour cream: ½ cup, to add moisture and richness to the cupcakes.
- Milk: ½ cup, for added moisture.
- Melted butter: ¾ cup, cooled, to give richness to the batter.
- Pink and blue icing color: To create the signature cotton candy swirl in the cupcakes and frosting.
- Butter: ½ cup, for the frosting, providing a creamy texture.
- Shortening: ½ cup, to stabilize the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: 4 cups, to sweeten and thicken the frosting.
- Water or cream: 2–3 tbsp, to adjust the consistency of the frosting.
- Cotton candy or cotton candy-flavored suckers: For decoration, adding a playful touch.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with liners.
- Step 2:
- Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Step 3:
- Incorporate egg whites, cotton candy extract, sour cream, and milk into the dry mixture until smooth. Mix in the melted, cooled butter.
- Step 4:
- Divide the batter evenly between two bowls, coloring one pink and the other blue. Fill cupcake liners with alternating spoonfuls of each color.
- Step 5:
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, then cool the cupcakes completely.
- Step 6:
- For the frosting, cream together butter and shortening, gradually adding powdered sugar. Divide the frosting and color one pink and one blue. Swirl the frosting onto the cupcakes using a piping bag.
- Step 7:
- Finish with cotton candy or cotton candy-flavored suckers for decoration.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate the cupcakes and consume within 5 days.
Helpful Notes
- Make sure the melted butter is completely cooled before adding to the batter to avoid curdling.
- For extra fun, add edible glitter to the frosting.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- For extra fluffiness, use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour in the batter.
Colorful Swirls of Fun: Cotton Candy Cupcakes
These cupcakes are as fun to make as they are to eat! The vibrant pink and blue swirls inside and out create a whimsical look that’s perfect for any party or special occasion. The cotton candy flavor is sure to bring back sweet memories while delighting both kids and adults.
A Sweet Treat for Every Celebration
Cotton Candy Cupcakes are the perfect way to bring a playful touch to birthdays, baby showers, and carnivals. The light and fluffy texture, combined with the nostalgic flavor of cotton candy, makes these cupcakes irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel colors?
Yes, but gel colors are recommended as they give more vibrant colors without affecting the consistency of the batter or frosting.
Can I freeze the cupcakes?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before frosting.
Summary
These Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a whimsical treat perfect for birthdays, parties, or any celebration. The fluffy cupcakes are infused with the sweet and nostalgic flavor of cotton candy, colored in pastel pink and blue for a playful touch. Topped with a swirl of cotton candy-flavored frosting, these cupcakes are as fun to look at as they are to eat. The frosting, made from butter, shortening, and powdered sugar, is smooth and sweet, while the cupcake base is light and airy, offering a delightful combination of textures. Garnish with cotton candy or cotton candy-flavored suckers for an extra whimsical touch.