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Easy Fluffy Cotton Candy Cake with Pastel Swirls

Close-up of a slice of cotton candy cake showing pink, blue, and white layers with white frosting.
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Make a magical, fluffy cotton candy cake featuring soft pastel layers and a sweet homemade cotton candy frosting. This easy recipe is perfect for birthdays and fun celebrations.

Ingredients

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  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon clear cotton candy flavoring oil
  • Pink and blue gel food coloring
  • For the Frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon clear cotton candy flavoring oil
  • Pinch of salt
  • Extra cotton candy for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring oil.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the batter evenly into three separate bowls. Leave one bowl white. Add several drops of pink gel coloring to the second bowl and blue gel coloring to the third bowl. Gently stir each bowl until the color is uniform.
  6. Spoon alternating dollops of the white, pink, and blue batter randomly into the prepared cake pans to create a swirled effect. Do not mix the colors together.
  7. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream. Mix until smooth. Add the cotton candy flavoring oil and salt. Beat on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  9. Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting over the top. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
  10. If you want a pink and blue swirl effect on the outside, divide a small amount of frosting and color it pink and blue. Use an offset spatula to gently swirl the colors onto the exterior of the cake.
  11. Top the finished cake with fluffy strands of store-bought cotton candy just before serving.

Notes

  • For the best pastel effect, use gel food coloring sparingly; you want soft, dreamy colors, not harsh ones.
  • This cake tastes best when assembled and served the same day, as the cotton candy topping dissolves quickly.
  • If you want a taller cake, you can use three 6-inch pans instead of two 8-inch pans, adjusting the baking time slightly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/cotton-candy-cake-recipe-easy-fluffy/