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Cotton Candy Cake Recipe

Cotton Candy Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 15 reviews

This whimsical Cotton Candy Cake is a delightful treat that layers vanilla cake infused with cotton candy flavoring and vibrant pastel swirls. The moist layers are enveloped in a fluffy cotton candy buttercream, bringing the nostalgic carnival flavor to your celebration table. Decorated with pastel gel colors and topped with real fluffy cotton candy, this cake is perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any sweet occasion where a fun, colorful dessert is desired.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cotton Candy Cake:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cotton candy flavoring
  • 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
  • Fuchsia, sky blue, and violet gel food coloring

For the Cotton Candy Buttercream:

  • 6 large egg whites
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring

For Assembly & Decoration:

  • Additional fuchsia, sky blue, and violet gel food coloring
  • Fluffy cotton candy for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pans thoroughly to prevent sticking. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the cotton candy flavoring and then alternate adding the dry mixture and whole milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, until just combined. Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls and tint each one with a small amount of fuchsia, sky blue, or violet gel food coloring. Pour the colored batters into the greased pans, swirling them gently together with a skewer or knife to create a marbled effect. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack before assembly.
  2. Make the Cotton Candy Buttercream: Place the egg whites and granulated sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a double boiler with gently simmering water. Whisk constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture reaches about 160°F (71°C) on a candy thermometer, which ensures it is safe to use. Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form and the meringue has cooled to room temperature, which can take about 7-10 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the softened unsalted butter in small pieces, continuing to whip until the buttercream is smooth, silky, and fluffy. Beat in the cotton candy flavoring until fully incorporated.
  3. Assemble and Decorate: Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread an even layer of cotton candy buttercream over the top. Repeat with remaining layers and cover the entire cake with a thin crumb coat of frosting to seal in the crumbs; chill briefly to set. Apply a final smooth or lightly textured coat of buttercream. Using the additional fuchsia, sky blue, and violet gel food coloring, lightly dab and blend the colors watercolor-style onto the outside of the frosted cake with a clean brush or spatula for a whimsical pastel effect. Just before serving, gently place fluffy cotton candy on top of the cake as a playful and authentic decoration to complete the look and flavor experience.

Notes

  • Ensure all ingredients, especially eggs, butter, and milk, are at room temperature to achieve the best batter consistency and cake texture.
  • You can adjust the amount of gel food coloring to achieve more vibrant or subtle swirls in your cake layers depending on preference.
  • Use a candy thermometer when heating the egg whites and sugar mixture to ensure proper temperature and food safety.
  • Store the assembled cake in the refrigerator if not serving immediately, but add the fluffy cotton candy topping just before serving to prevent it from melting.
  • If you prefer a non-alcoholic cotton candy flavoring, many natural options are available; always check ingredient labels for suitability.

Nutrition

Keywords: cotton candy cake, colorful cake, buttercream frosting, pastel cake, carnival cake, birthday cake

Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/cotton-candy-cake-recipe/