Fluffy Cotton Candy Cake Recipe: A Sweet Carnival Dream

Sweet dreams come alive with this whimsical cotton candy cake that sparks childhood memories and delights every celebration.

My baking adventure started with a playful twist on classic desserts.

Pastel-colored layers promise a magical experience for anyone seeking something extraordinary.

Pure sugar-spun happiness dances through each fluffy bite of this dreamy creation.

Soft, cloud-like frosting mimics the ethereal texture of carnival treats.

Unexpected flavor combinations will surprise and enchant your taste buds.

Let this cotton candy cake become the star of your next gathering and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Tips for Better Cotton Candy Cake Results

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Enhance cotton candy extracts by adding a drop of almond extract to deepen the sweetness and create a more complex taste profile.
• Prevent Color Bleeding: Chill colored cake batters separately before pouring into pans to maintain distinct color boundaries and prevent muddying.
• Achieve Fluffy Texture: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more uniform cake batter with better rise.
• Master Frosting Consistency: If frosting seems too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time; if too thin, incorporate additional powdered sugar gradually to reach perfect spreading texture.
• Preserve Cotton Candy Garnish: Add cotton candy decorations moments before serving to maintain their delicate texture and prevent premature melting.

Save Cotton Candy Cake for Later Enjoyment

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping it covered to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
• Transfer frozen cake to the refrigerator overnight, allowing it to defrost slowly and maintain its moisture and texture.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and softness, ensuring the best taste and texture.

What Goes Great with Cotton Candy Cake

• Whip up a Cotton Candy Milkshake that mirrors the cake's whimsical flavor, blending vanilla ice cream, cotton candy syrup, and pastel-colored whipped cream for a dreamy companion.
• Craft a Cotton Candy Martini using vodka, blue curaçao, and a cotton candy sugar rim to complement the cake's playful essence, creating an adult-friendly pairing perfect for celebrations.
• Select a crisp and slightly sweet Moscato d'Asti, whose light bubbles and fruity notes will dance beautifully with the cake's sugary profile, offering a sophisticated contrast to the dessert's childlike charm.
• Mix a Unicorn Punch featuring white cranberry juice, sprite, and edible glitter to match the cake's vibrant colors, creating a festive and Instagram-worthy beverage experience.

Cotton Candy Cake Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Cotton Candy Cake: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same soft texture while accommodating those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Cotton Candy Cake: Swap butter for coconut oil, use plant-based milk, and replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce to create a dairy-free and egg-free version.
• Low-Sugar Cotton Candy Cake: Utilize alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cake's signature sweet flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Cotton Candy Cake: Substitute milk with almond or oat milk, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and replace butter with plant-based margarine for a creamy, allergen-friendly option.

Why Cotton Candy Cake Is a Fun Favorite

• Effortless Cotton Candy Cake Magic
• Create a stunning visual feast by easily dividing and coloring cake batter with vibrant pink and blue hues, transforming an ordinary dessert into a whimsical masterpiece.
• Achievable in just over an hour, this recipe offers a simple yet impressive baking experience perfect for home bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
• Infuse pure joy with cotton candy extracts that transport you back to carnival memories, making this cake a delightful treat for birthdays, parties, or spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Engage children in decorating with fun sprinkles and cotton candy topping, turning cake preparation into an interactive and memorable family activity that sparks creativity and excitement.

Your Go-To List for Cotton Candy Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the cake's structure and soft texture, choose unbleached for best results.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps the cake rise evenly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender crumb, use unsalted for better flavor control.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's moisture, granulated white works best.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, room temperature eggs mix more smoothly.
• Milk: Keeps the cake moist and adds tenderness, whole milk recommended.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic bakery flavor, pure extract preferred over imitation.
• Cotton Candy Extract: Provides signature cotton candy flavor, specialty baking stores carry this.

• Food Coloring: Creates vibrant cake layers, gel colors provide more intense hues.
• Sprinkles: Adds festive decorative touch, choose soft pastel colors.
• Cotton Candy: Fresh topping that adds whimsical presentation, add just before serving.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting base, sift to prevent lumps.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create creamy texture.
• Butter: Provides smooth, spreadable frosting base.

Make Cotton Candy Cake with Confidence

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F. Grab three 8-inch round cake pans and give them a quick spray with cooking oil. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set this magical mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab an electric mixer and beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like texture. This should take about 2-3 minutes of mixing magic.

Step 4: Introduce Wet Ingredients

Drop eggs into the butter mixture one at a time. Pour in vanilla and cotton candy extracts. Mix until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

Step 5: Create Colorful Batter

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Alternate with milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 6: Paint the Batter

Divide batter into separate bowls. Splash food coloring into each bowl- think vibrant pink and soft blue. Stir colors gently to create a swirled masterpiece.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pour colored batters into prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula. Slide into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 8: Whip Up Dreamy Frosting

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing with heavy cream. Stir in vanilla and cotton candy extracts. Add food coloring if desired for extra pizzazz.

Step 9: Build Your Cake Tower

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread a thin frosting layer. Stack remaining layers, covering entire cake with frosting.

Step 10: Final Flair

Right before serving, crown your cake with wispy cotton candy and a sprinkle shower. The cotton candy will melt quickly, so timing is everything!

Enjoy your magical Cotton Candy Cake Delight!

Cotton Candy Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Magical cotton candy cake brings whimsical childhood memories to life with its playful pink swirls and sweet nostalgia. Delicate layers of fluffy cake crowned with cloud-like frosting promise a delightful celebration that connects generations through pure sugary joy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk

Flavoring and Extracts:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
• Food coloring (pink and blue or your choice of colors)

Additional Cake Ingredients:

• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Main Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
• 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Frosting Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
• Food coloring (optional)

Decoration:

• Cotton candy (store-bought or homemade)
• Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Carefully coat three 8-inch round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper.
2. In a medium mixing vessel, thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, and salt using a whisk. Set the dry ingredient mixture aside for later integration.
3. Utilize an electric mixer to transform butter and sugar into a voluminous, airy mixture by beating for approximately 2-3 minutes until the texture becomes light and fluffy.
4. Introduce eggs individually into the butter mixture, blending completely after each addition. Incorporate vanilla and cotton candy extracts, mixing until fully integrated.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and conclude with dry ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain batter’s delicate consistency.
6. Separate the batter into multiple mixing bowls, applying vibrant food coloring to create contrasting pastel hues like soft pink and ethereal blue. Gently fold coloring to preserve batter’s airiness.
7. Distribute colored batters evenly into prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges clean. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
8. Whip butter until creamy, progressively adding powdered sugar and heavy cream. Beat until achieving a silky, cloud-like frosting. Enhance with vanilla and cotton candy extracts, optionally tinting with food coloring.
9. Construct the cake by positioning first layer on serving plate. Spread a delicate frosting layer, repeating with subsequent layers. Enrobe entire cake with remaining frosting, creating smooth, even coverage.
10. Moments before presentation, embellish cake with wisps of cotton candy and playful sprinkles to prevent premature melting and maintain visual whimsy.

Notes

• Swap milk with dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the cake’s fluffy texture.
• Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to prevent altering the cake’s consistency and achieve vibrant, saturated colors.
• Add a pinch of cream of tartar when whipping butter and sugar to create an extra light and airy cake texture.
• Cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, professional-looking finish.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg