Cotton Candy Cupcakes – Colorful Carnival-Inspired Treats

Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a fun and vibrant dessert that will transport you straight to the carnival! With fluffy pink and blue swirled batter and sweet cotton candy-flavored frosting, these cupcakes are a colorful treat perfect for parties, birthdays, or anytime you want to add a bit of magic to your day.

INGREDIENTS

• All-purpose flour: 1 ¾ cups, sifted
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup
• Butter: ½ cup, softened
• Milk: ¾ cup, for the cupcake batter
• Eggs: 2 large
• Baking powder: 2 ½ tsp, for a light rise
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, for added flavor
• Salt: ¼ tsp, to balance the sweetness
• Pink and blue gel food coloring: A few drops each, for swirling the batter
• Butter: 1 cup, softened, for frosting
• Powdered sugar: 3 cups, for frosting
• Cotton candy flavoring: 2 tsp, for a nostalgic taste
• Milk: 2 tbsp, to adjust the frosting consistency
• Cotton candy tufts: For garnish
• Sprinkles: Optional, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Step 2:

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 3:

In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

Step 4:

Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 5:

Divide the batter into two bowls. Tint one portion pink and the other blue with gel food coloring. Spoon both batters into the cupcake liners and swirl gently with a toothpick for a marbled effect.

Step 6:

Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Step 7:

To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, cotton candy flavoring, and milk, mixing until smooth. Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint one portion pink and the other blue.

Step 8:

Pipe swirls of pink and blue frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Garnish with cotton candy tufts and sprinkles just before serving.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serve the cupcakes fresh with cotton candy tufts on top. Add the cotton candy right before serving to prevent it from melting.
• Store the frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you are not serving them right away, skip the cotton candy until you're ready to serve.

Helpful Notes

• Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy.
• Gel food coloring is recommended for bright, vibrant colors without altering the texture of the batter.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

• For an even fluffier frosting, beat the butter for an extra minute before adding the sugar. This will create a lighter, airier texture.

Creating the Perfect Swirled Cupcakes

To achieve the perfect swirled effect in your cupcakes, drop alternating spoonfuls of pink and blue batter into each liner, then gently drag a toothpick through the batter to create a marble effect. Be careful not to over-swirl, as you want the colors to remain distinct.

Fun Ways to Customize Cotton Candy Cupcakes

For an extra fun twist, try adding a sprinkle of edible glitter or cotton candy-flavored sprinkles on top of the frosting. You can also experiment with other pastel colors to match your party theme!

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring?

Yes, but gel food coloring is more concentrated and won't affect the texture of the batter or frosting as much as liquid food coloring.

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cupcakes a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Frost them and add the cotton candy just before serving.

How can I prevent the cotton candy from melting?

Add the cotton candy tufts just before serving, as they can absorb moisture and melt if left out too long.

Can I make these cupcakes without cotton candy flavoring?

Yes, you can substitute with vanilla extract for a more traditional flavor, though you’ll lose the cotton candy twist.

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Conclusion

Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a whimsical, carnival-inspired treat that will brighten any dessert table. Made with a soft vanilla cupcake base, these cupcakes are swirled with vibrant pink and blue colors and topped with a fluffy cotton candy-flavored frosting. The frosting is divided into two portions, each tinted pink and blue, creating a magical swirl effect when piped onto the cupcakes. Perfect for celebrations, these cupcakes can be garnished with real cotton candy and sprinkles for a fun, colorful presentation. Just remember to add the cotton candy right before serving to keep it from melting.