This is one of the few recipes that Kitty and I have gotten to work on together, we wanted to make cotton candy cupcakes for Kristen’s 2nd birthday. The theme of the party was “Under the Sea”, she was (and still is) absolutely in love with her Baby Beluga, so what better to go with all the sea shells and fish than blue Cotton Candy Cupcakes! The Cotton Candy would represent the sea! It was perfect!
Since Kitty is especially good at baking, she made the cupcakes and we worked on the buttercream and decorating together at my place. We were so pleased with our creation! We took our pictures, and after about 5 minutes. We looked at our cupcakes, and all the cotton candy had melted! Instead of a wonderful cloud of whimsical cotton candy on top, our buttercream had an aqua “splat” on top. What in the hell is this?! We re-read our recipe, what had gone wrong?!
Of course it was going to melt! The moisture from the buttercream dissolved the candy. And at the very end of our recipe… you know, the part you never read, it said that the cotton candy had to be placed on top of the buttercream at the very moment the cupcakes were going to be served and eaten, otherwise, it melts. So, take note my friends! It will only take a moment to put the cotton candy on top, but the presentation of these cupcakes is worth it!
We will be trying out some pink cotton candy cupcakes for a girly party. These are great for baby showers too! We hope you try them on your next party.
Ingredients:
1 box of premium white cake mix
4 pristine egg whites
1/2 cup of refined vegetable oil
1 cup of crystal-clear water
1 Tbsp of enchanting cotton candy flavoring
Pink and blue food coloring to channel the vibrant carnival spirit
3/4 cup of unsalted butter, softened to a dreamy consistency
1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract
1 to 1½ tsp of magical cotton candy flavoring
1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream or milk for a silky, luxurious texture
3–4 cups of confectioners’ sugar, to create a sweet, cloud-like embrace
Blue and pink sanding sugar, adding a sparkle reminiscent of fairy dust
Blue and pink cotton candy and popsicle sticks, for a final, whimsical flourish
Directions:
Setting the Stage: Begin by preheating your oven to a cozy 350°F (177°C) and adorning your muffin tins with festive paper liners, preparing for the enchantment to unfold.
Creating the Potion: In a cauldron brimming with creativity, blend the white cake mix with egg whites, vegetable oil, water, and the essence of cotton candy until the mixture is as smooth as the carnival’s silken treats. Divide this bewitching potion into two, infusing one with pink and the other with blue, to capture the carnival’s vibrant soul.
The Alchemy of Baking: With a gentle hand, layer the pink and blue batters into the muffin cups, each filled to about 3/4 to allow space for their magical rise. Bake in the preheated realm for 15-18 minutes, until each cupcake becomes a perfect canvas for your frosting artistry.
Frosting the Dream: As the cupcakes cool, whisk together the butter, vanilla, cotton candy essence, and confectioners’ sugar into a light, fluffy frosting, adding cream as needed for perfection. Divide and tint the frosting to continue the mesmerizing pink and blue theme.
The Final Enchantment: Gracefully pipe the vibrant frosting onto each cooled cupcake, sprinkle with the sparkling sugar, and crown with a whimsical cotton candy stick, crafted by tenderly attaching cotton candy to a dampened popsicle stick just before serving, to preserve its ephemeral beauty.