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Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe

These Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a delightful dessert featuring vanilla cake infused with cotton candy extract, beautifully swirled with pink and blue colors, and generously topped with a homemade buttercream frosting for an extra touch of sweetness!

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 18 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

Servings: 16 cupcakes

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Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

• 15.25 ounces vanilla cake mix (1 box)
• ¾ cup water
• ½ cup unsalted butter slightly melted (1 stick)
• 3 large eggs room temperature
• 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract *
• Gel food coloring pink and blue**

For the Buttercream Frosting

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¾ cup unsalted butter room temperature (1½ sticks)
• ¼ teaspoon cotton candy extract
• Gel food coloring pink and blue
• Cotton candy optional, for topping

US Customary – Metric

Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional)
• 2 Cupcake Tins
• Hand Mixer

Instructions

For the Cupcakes

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 16 wells of two 12-count cupcake tins with paper liners. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, water, slightly melted unsalted butter, room temperature eggs, and cotton candy extract. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  15.25 ounces vanilla cake mix, ¾ cup water, ½ cup unsalted butter, 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
  
• Divide the batter equally between two separate bowls. Each bowl should contain approximately 435 grams of batter if using a kitchen scale.
• In one bowl, gently stir in enough pink gel food coloring to achieve a light pink shade. In the second bowl, add blue gel food coloring until a light blue color is reached. Stir carefully to incorporate the color without overmixing.
  Gel food coloring
  
• Carefully layer the colored cupcake batter into each paper liner. To create a beautiful swirl, ensure the cupcake wrappers are not filled more than three-quarters of the way. For half of your cupcakes, start with a layer of blue batter at the bottom, followed by pink in the middle, and then blue on top. For the remaining cupcakes, reverse the order: start with pink batter, then blue in the middle, and pink on top. This technique will give you a stunning two-toned effect.
  
• Place the cupcake tins in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
  
• Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

For the Buttercream Frosting

• In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer on high speed, beat together the powdered sugar, softened room temperature unsalted butter, and cotton candy extract. Continue beating for about 5 minutes until the frosting is wonderfully light and fluffy.
  3 cups powdered sugar, ¾ cup unsalted butter, ¼ teaspoon cotton candy extract
  
• Separate the prepared buttercream frosting equally between two bowls. Color one bowl of frosting pink and the other bowl blue using gel food coloring, stirring gently until the color is consistent.
  Gel food coloring
  
• To frost, place both pink and blue frostings into separate tipless icing bags (or piping bags fitted with your favorite decorating tip). For a swirled effect, you can place both colored frostings side-by-side into one larger piping bag, then pipe onto the cooled cupcakes. If desired, top each cupcake with a small piece of cotton candy right before serving for an extra festive touch.
  Cotton candy
  

Notes

*Choosing the right cotton candy extract is crucial for achieving that authentic flavor. I highly recommend LorAnn Super Strength Cotton Candy Flavoring. Because it’s a concentrated extract, just 1 teaspoon is enough to impart a lovely, noticeable cotton candy flavor without being overwhelming. If you’re using a less concentrated flavoring, you may need to increase the amount slightly to taste.

**For the vibrant colors, I achieved these beautiful shades using Chefmaster Liqua-gel food coloring in Neon Brite Pink and Royal Blue. Gel food colorings are preferred over liquid ones as they provide intense color without altering the batter consistency.

Expert Tips for Perfect Cotton Candy Cupcakes:

• Avoid Overmixing: For light and airy cupcakes, mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to dense and chewy cupcakes, which we definitely want to avoid!
• Chill Out Before Frosting: Patience is key! Ensure your cupcakes are completely cool before applying the buttercream frosting. Warm cupcakes will cause the frosting to melt and slide right off, ruining your beautiful presentation.
• Timing is Everything for Cotton Candy Topping: If you plan to garnish your cupcakes with actual cotton candy, remember that cotton candy is highly sensitive to air and humidity. It will start to dissolve very quickly (often within 10-15 minutes) once removed from its packaging. To prevent a sticky, melted mess, only place the cotton candy on top of the frosted cupcakes immediately before serving. This ensures your guests get to enjoy the full, fluffy effect!
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature eggs and butter for both the cupcakes and the frosting. This helps the ingredients emulsify properly, creating a smoother, more consistent batter and a creamier frosting.
• Fill Liners Appropriately: Do not overfill your cupcake liners. Filling them about two-thirds to three-quarters full allows the cupcakes to rise perfectly without spilling over the sides, resulting in beautifully domed tops ideal for frosting.
• Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.

Storage & Freshness: To keep your cotton candy cupcakes at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, transfer them to the refrigerator where they will last for up to 4 days. These cupcakes also freeze wonderfully; store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 cupcake)

Calories 329
Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 73mg24%

Sodium 204mg9%

Potassium 34mg1%

Carbohydrates 45g15%

Fiber 0.3g1%

Sugar 33g37%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 494IU10%

Calcium 69mg7%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Becky Hardin

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How to Make Whimsical Cotton Candy Cupcakes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these magical cotton candy cupcakes is simpler than you might think, even with the beautiful swirling colors. Follow these easy steps to bake up a batch of these enchanting treats:

1. Prepare Your Workspace & Mix the Batter

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 16 cups of two 12-count cupcake tins with festive paper liners and set them aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, water, slightly melted unsalted butter, three large room-temperature eggs, and the delightful cotton candy extract. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the ingredients on medium speed until they are just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense cupcakes.

2. Color the Batter for a Swirl Effect

Once your batter is ready, divide it equally into two separate bowls. For precise measurements, you can use a kitchen scale to ensure each bowl contains roughly 435 grams of batter. Now comes the fun part: adding color! In one bowl, stir in a few drops of pink gel food coloring until you achieve a light, consistent pink. In the second bowl, repeat the process with blue gel food coloring until it’s a lovely light blue. Stir gently to incorporate the colors without overworking the batter.

3. Layer the Colors in Cupcake Liners

To create that signature swirled look, you’ll be layering the pink and blue batter in each cupcake wrapper. It’s crucial not to overfill the wrappers; aim for about three-quarters full to allow for proper rising. For approximately half of your cupcakes, start with a spoonful of blue batter at the bottom, then add a layer of pink batter in the middle, and finish with another spoonful of blue on top. For the remaining cupcakes, reverse this pattern: pink batter at the bottom, blue in the middle, and pink on top. This alternating method ensures a beautiful and varied swirl throughout your batch.

4. Bake to Golden Perfection

Carefully place your filled cupcake tins into the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re perfectly baked when a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. This indicates they are cooked through and wonderfully fluffy. Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. This step is vital – attempting to frost warm cupcakes will result in melted, messy frosting!

5. Prepare the Fluffy Buttercream Frosting

While your cupcakes cool, prepare the irresistible cotton candy buttercream. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of powdered sugar, ¾ cup of softened unsalted butter, and ¼ teaspoon of cotton candy extract. Using a hand mixer, beat these ingredients together on high speed for about 5 minutes. Continue mixing until the frosting becomes incredibly light, airy, and fluffy – the perfect consistency for piping.

6. Color the Frosting for a Dazzling Top

Just like with the batter, we’ll be coloring the buttercream to match our theme. Separate the prepared buttercream frosting equally between two bowls. Use pink gel food coloring for one bowl, stirring gently until you achieve a beautiful, even pink. Do the same for the second bowl with blue gel food coloring. These vibrant frostings will create a stunning visual contrast on your cupcakes.

7. Frost and Garnish Your Masterpieces

Once the cupcakes are completely cool and your frostings are colored, it’s time to decorate! For the best swirled effect, place both the pink and blue frostings into separate tipless icing bags (or piping bags fitted with your favorite star or round tip). Then, you can place both filled bags into one larger piping bag and pipe the two colors simultaneously onto the cooled cupcakes. This creates an eye-catching, festive swirl. For an extra touch of whimsy, consider topping each cupcake with a delicate piece of cotton candy right before serving. Remember our tip about cotton candy dissolving quickly, so only add it at the last moment!

How to Store Your Cotton Candy Cupcakes for Lasting Freshness

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious cotton candy cupcakes for as long as possible. To maintain their delightful flavor and soft texture, store them in an airtight container. At room temperature, they will remain fresh for up to 2 days, making them perfect for parties and gatherings. If you need to keep them longer, transfer them to the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. Always ensure the container is airtight to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other food odors.

These cupcakes also freeze beautifully! For longer storage, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe airtight container, or individually wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen treat, simply transfer the cupcakes to the refrigerator and let them thaw overnight. You can then enjoy them cold, or allow them to come to room temperature for that freshly baked taste.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Can I make these cupcakes from scratch instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! While this recipe uses a box mix for convenience and consistent results, you can certainly adapt it with your favorite vanilla cupcake recipe made from scratch. Just ensure you incorporate the cotton candy extract into your scratch batter and follow the coloring and layering instructions. You might need to adjust baking times slightly based on your recipe.

Where can I find cotton candy extract?

Cotton candy extract can typically be found in specialty baking stores, craft stores with a baking section, or readily online from retailers like Amazon. As mentioned in our tips, brands like LorAnn are highly recommended for their concentrated “super strength” flavorings.

What if I don’t have gel food coloring?

Gel food coloring is preferred because it’s highly concentrated and won’t thin out your batter or frosting. Liquid food coloring can be used in a pinch, but you’ll need more of it to achieve vibrant colors, and it might slightly alter the consistency of your mixture. If using liquid, add it very gradually.

Can I use different colors?

Of course! The beauty of these cupcakes is their versatility. Feel free to experiment with any color combination you like! Green and purple for a whimsical fairy party, red and white for a carnival theme, or even single colors if you prefer. Let your creativity run wild!

How can I prevent the cotton candy topping from melting?

Cotton candy is very sensitive to moisture and air. The best way to keep it fluffy is to only place it on top of the cupcakes just moments before serving. If you’re serving them outdoors or in a humid environment, it’s best to keep the cotton candy separate and let guests add it themselves to ensure it stays perfect.