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Cotton Candy Cake: A Magical, Fluffy Cake Bursting with Cotton Candy Flavor and Dreamy Pastel Colors!

A light, fluffy cake bursting with cotton candy flavor and dreamy pastel colors. This cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime you need a nostalgic treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract or to taste
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • Pink food coloring
  • Blue food coloring
For the Cotton Candy Frosting:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
  • Pink food coloring
  • Blue food coloring
  • Cotton candy for garnish

Method
 

Make the Cake:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add egg whites one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  5. Stir in vanilla and cotton candy extracts.
  6. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
  7. Divide batter into two bowls. Tint one pink and the other blue.
  8. Pour into prepared pans. Swirl batters for a marble effect or layer for distinct colors.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
  1. Beat butter until smooth.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low.
  3. Stir in heavy cream, vanilla, and cotton candy extracts. Beat until fluffy.
  4. Divide frosting into two bowls. Color one pink and the other blue.
Assemble and Decorate:
  1. Place a cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting on top.
  2. Repeat with remaining layers.
  3. Frost the outside with swirls of pink and blue frosting.
  4. Garnish with cotton candy before serving.