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Cotton Candy Cupcake Recipe

Cotton Candy Cupcake Recipe

This cotton candy cupcake recipe is a fun and colorful way to bring carnival magic into your kitchen. The cupcakes are light, fluffy, and bursting with nostalgic cotton candy flavor, making them perfect for birthdays, parties, or any sweet celebration. With swirls of pink and blue, this cotton candy cupcake recipe is easy to make and guaranteed to delight both kids and adults alike.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cupcakes
  • 1 box White cake mix Use your favorite brand
  • 1 cup Lemon-lime soda e.g., Sprite or 7Up
  • 1 tbsp Cotton candy flavoring Or extract
  • - - Pink and blue food coloring Gel preferred
Frosting
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened Room temperature
  • 4 cups Powdered sugar Sifted for smooth texture
  • 2 tbsp Heavy cream For creamy texture
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract Optional
  • 1 tsp Cotton candy flavoring
  • - - Pink and blue food coloring Gel preferred
  • - - Cotton candy & sprinkles For garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 Muffin Tin Standard 12-cup tray
  • 24 Cupcake Liners For easy removal and decoration
  • 1 Mixing Bowl Large, for batter and frosting
  • 1 Electric mixer For mixing cake and frosting
  • 1 Piping Bag For two-tone swirl effect

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a bowl, mix cake mix, lemon-lime soda, and cotton candy flavoring until smooth.
  3. Divide batter into two bowls. Tint one pink and the other blue.
  4. Spoon both colored batters into each cupcake liner, filling about 2/3 full.
  5. Bake 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  6. In another bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar.
  7. Add heavy cream, vanilla, and cotton candy flavoring. Beat until fluffy.
  8. Divide frosting in two bowls. Tint one pink and the other blue.
  9. Fill a piping bag with both frostings side by side. Swirl onto cooled cupcakes.
  10. Top with sprinkles and cotton candy just before serving.

Notes

  • For stronger flavor, adjust the amount of cotton candy extract.
  • Only add cotton candy as garnish right before serving — it melts quickly.
  • Use gel coloring for brighter colors without thinning the batter.