Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Cotton Candy Cupcakes are a delightful treat that brings back sweet childhood memories. With their colorful marble batter and fluffy cotton candy frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for birthday parties, celebrations, or just a fun day at home. They not only look great but also taste amazing, making them a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Cotton Candy Cupcakes is a fantastic choice because they are fun and full of flavor. The addition of cotton candy extract adds a unique sweetness that you won’t find in regular cupcakes. Plus, the vibrant pink and blue colors make them look appealing, perfect for any festive occasion. It’s a simple recipe that guarantees smiles from everyone who tries them!

How to Make Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
3 egg whites
1 1/2 tsp cotton candy extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup melted butter, cooled
Pink and blue icing color
1/2 cup butter for frosting
1/2 cup shortening
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp cotton candy extract for frosting
2-3 tbsp water or cream
Cotton candy or cotton candy-flavored suckers for decorating

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake trays with paper liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder.
In a separate bowl, combine the egg whites, cotton candy extract, sour cream, milk, and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
Divide the batter into two bowls, dye one pink and the other blue with icing color.
Alternate spoonfuls of pink and blue batter into each cupcake liner, creating a marble effect.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cream together butter and shortening for the frosting. Gradually add powdered sugar, cotton candy extract, and water or cream until smooth.
Divide the frosting into two bowls and dye one pink and the other blue.
Pipe swirled pink and blue frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Top with cotton candy or cotton candy-flavored suckers for a fun finishing touch.

How to Serve Cotton Candy Cupcakes

These cupcakes are best served at room temperature. You can display them on a colorful platter to make them even more inviting. They are great for parties, and people will love to grab them as a fun snack.

How to Store Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Store your Cotton Candy Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for about a week. Just make sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving for the best taste!

Tips to Make Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Make sure your butter is cooled before mixing it with the wet ingredients to avoid cooking the egg whites.
Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant color.
For an extra touch, try adding sprinkles on top of your frosting along with the cotton candy decorations.

Variation

You can experiment with different flavors by trying other extracts like raspberry or vanilla. You can also change the colors to match a theme, such as green and yellow for a spring celebration!

FAQs

1. Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of cotton candy extract?
Yes, you can use vanilla extract, but the cupcakes will have a different flavor.

2. Can I make these cupcakes in advance?
Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes a day or two ahead of time and frost them on the day you plan to serve them.

3. Is it necessary to use shortening in the frosting?
Shortening helps to stabilize the frosting and make it hold its shape better. However, you can use all butter if you prefer!