Log in
Cotton Candy Cake Recipe for Birthdays
Dolce Flav
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Cotton Candy Flavoring
Author:
Dolce Flav
Servings
12
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
This Cotton Candy Birthday Cake is a vibrant, pastel-colored celebration dessert packed with nostalgic carnival sweetness. Featuring cotton candy flavoring in both the cake and frosting, this recipe creates a moist, fluffy vanilla base with a whimsical cotton candy twist. Perfect for birthdays and parties, this cake delivers beautiful layers, creamy frosting, and bold cotton candy aroma — making it a must-try dessert for anyone who loves fun and colorful cakes.
Ingredients
For the Cotton Candy Cake
-
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
-
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
-
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
-
4 large eggs
-
1 tablespoon Cotton Candy Flavoring (Water Soluble)
-
1 cup whole milk
-
½ cup sour cream
-
Optional: a few drops pink and blue gel food coloring
For the Cotton Candy Frosting
-
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
-
4 cups powdered sugar
-
2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
-
1 teaspoon Cotton Candy Flavoring
-
Optional: pastel pink + blue coloring
-
Optional toppings: sprinkles, real cotton candy (added ONLY before serving)
Directions
Preheat & prepare pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: Beat softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
Add eggs & flavoring: Mix in eggs one at a time, then add cotton candy flavoring.
Add wet ingredients: Mix in milk and sour cream.
Combine: Add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until smooth.
Color (optional): Divide batter and tint one part pink, one part blue for a cotton-candy swirl.
Bake: Pour into pans and bake 23–26 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely: Let cake layers cool before frosting.
Make the Frosting
Beat softened butter until creamy.
Add powdered sugar gradually.
Add heavy cream and cotton candy flavoring.
Tint frosting pink or blue if desired.
Whip until light and fluffy.
Assemble the Cake
Place the first layer on a cake board and spread frosting evenly.
Add the second cake layer and frost the entire cake.
Decorate with sprinkles or real cotton candy (only add cotton candy right before serving to prevent melting).
Slice and serve!
Recipe Note
10 FAQ About Cotton Candy Cake
1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, bake the layers 1–2 days ahead and refrigerate. Frost the day of serving.
2. Does cotton candy flavoring work in baking?
Yes — water-soluble flavoring is ideal for cakes and frostings.
3. Can I use boxed cake mix?
Yes! Add 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring to a vanilla cake mix for a shortcut.
4. Can I make this cake pink and blue inside?
Absolutely — tint the batter and swirl before baking.
5. Can I bake this as cupcakes?
Yes! Bake 18–20 minutes at the same temperature.
6. Can I make a 3-layer cake with this recipe?
Yes — divide batter into three 6-inch or three 8-inch pans.
7. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter, dairy-free milk, and coconut cream for frosting.
8. Can I add real cotton candy to the batter?
No — it melts instantly and affects texture. Use flavoring instead.
9. How strong is the cotton candy flavor?
Cotton candy flavoring is potent — adjust from 1 tsp to 1 tbsp based on brand.
10. How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate slices in an airtight container for up to 4 days.