Cotton Candy Cake Recipe
This fun and fluffy Cotton Candy Cake is perfect for birthdays and celebrations. It has layers of soft vanilla cake infused with cotton candy flavor and topped with a cotton candy buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cotton candy flavoring (or cotton candy extract)
• 1 cup whole milk
• Pink and blue food coloring
For the Cotton Candy Buttercream:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cotton candy flavoring
• Pink and blue food coloring
For Garnish:
• Cotton candy pieces (added just before serving)
• Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
4. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and cotton candy flavoring.
5. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with the flour, mixing until just combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Add pink food coloring to one and blue food coloring to the other. Swirl together gently if you want a marbled effect.
7. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
2. Make the Cotton Candy Buttercream:
1. In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and cotton candy flavoring. Beat until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
3. Divide the frosting into two bowls, tint one pink and the other blue. Swirl together lightly if desired.
3. Assemble the Cake:
1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with a layer of buttercream.
2. Repeat with the remaining layers, then frost the top and sides of the cake.
3. Decorate with cotton candy and sprinkles right before serving to prevent melting.
Tips:
• Cotton Candy Addition: Add cotton candy only at the last minute, as it dissolves quickly when exposed to air.
• Marbled Swirls: Lightly swirl pink and blue batters for a fun effect.
• Flavor Boost: If you don’t have cotton candy flavoring, use a mix of vanilla and raspberry extract for a similar taste.
Enjoy your magical Cotton Candy Cake!