Description

Bring a little magic to your dessert table with these whimsical Cotton Candy Cupcakes. Light, fluffy, and full of nostalgic flavor, they’re perfect for parties, birthdays, or any time you want a sweet treat that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. With soft pastel colors, cotton candy flavoring, and a swirl of dreamy frosting, these cupcakes are sure to delight kids and adults alike.

Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe now to get the latest culinary creations you’ll love.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1½ tsp cotton candy flavoring (or vanilla if preferred)
½ cup whole milk
2–3 drops pink food coloring
2–3 drops blue food coloring

For the Cotton Candy Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3½ cups powdered sugar
1½ tsp cotton candy flavoring
2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
Pink and blue food coloring (optional for swirls)
Pinch of salt (to balance the sweetness)

For Decoration:

Small tufts of cotton candy (added just before serving)
Sprinkles or edible glitter
Cupcake liners in pastel colors

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with pastel cupcake liners.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Mix in the cotton candy flavoring.

Step 4: Add Milk and Dry Ingredients
Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour, mixing until just combined.

Step 5: Color the Batter
Divide the batter evenly into two bowls.
Add a few drops of pink food coloring to one bowl and blue food coloring to the other. Stir until the colors are well mixed.

Step 6: Fill the Cupcake Liners
Spoon small dollops of each colored batter into the cupcake liners, alternating pink and blue.
Use a toothpick to gently swirl the colors together for a cotton candy look (optional).

Step 7: Bake the Cupcakes
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool completely in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully before frosting.

Step 8: Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy.
Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add cotton candy flavoring, cream, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
For swirled frosting, divide the frosting into two bowls, tint one pink and one blue.
Spoon side-by-side into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.

Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes in a high swirl.
Top with a small tuft of cotton candy just before serving (don’t add too early or it will melt).
Add sprinkles or glitter for extra sparkle.

Notes

Don’t Overmix – Mix batter until just combined for fluffy cupcakes.
Use Gel Food Coloring – A little goes a long way and won’t alter texture.
Let Cupcakes Cool – Frosting on warm cupcakes will melt and slide off.
Pipe with Style – Use a star tip for those bakery-style swirls.
Add Cotton Candy Last – Place it just before serving so it stays fluffy.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cuisine: American