Fluffy Cotton Candy Cake (Print View)
A whimsical pink and blue layer cake with cotton candy flavor and fluffy pastel buttercream frosting.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Batter
01 - 2 1/2 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
05 - 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
06 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1 tbsp cotton candy flavoring
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) whole milk, room temperature
10 - Pink and blue food coloring, as desired
→ Cotton Candy Buttercream
11 - 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
12 - 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1 1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring
14 - 2-3 tbsp whole milk or cream
15 - Pink and blue food coloring, as desired
→ Decoration
16 - Fresh cotton candy, to garnish
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the cotton candy flavoring and vanilla extract.
05 - With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Tint one portion pink and the other blue with food coloring. Drop spoonfuls of each color alternately into the prepared pans for a marbled effect. Swirl gently with a skewer or knife.
07 - Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low. Add cotton candy flavoring and milk until smooth and fluffy. Divide and tint pink and blue as desired.
09 - Once cakes are cool, layer and frost with the buttercream. Swirl pink and blue frosting together for a cotton candy effect.
10 - Just before serving, top with fluffy pieces of fresh cotton candy. Serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The marbled pink and blue batter makes every slice look different and nobody will believe you did it at home.
- Cotton candy flavoring gives it that unmistakable fairground sweetness without being overwhelming.
- It is genuinely fun to make and even more fun to watch peoples faces when you bring it out.
02 -
- Never place the cotton candy on the cake until you are literally about to serve it because moisture will dissolve it into a sticky puddle within minutes.
- Room temperature eggs and milk blend into the batter far more smoothly than cold ones, which prevents curdling and odd textures.
- Cotton candy flavoring is available online and at specialty baking shops, so plan ahead if your local grocery does not carry it.
03 -
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid because you get vivid pastel shades without thinning out your batter or frosting.
- Chill your frosted cake in the fridge for fifteen minutes before adding the cotton candy garnish so the buttercream firms up and gives you a stable surface.