Introduction
If you’re looking for a fun and unique cake to make for your next celebration, look no further than this cotton candy cake recipe! This cake is perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any other occasion where you want to add a little whimsy to your dessert table. With its fluffy pink frosting and sweet cotton candy flavor, this cake is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. So, let’s get started!
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- Pink food coloring
For the frosting:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring
- Cotton candy flavoring (optional)
For decoration:
- Cotton candy
- Sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 3. In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and butter together until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. 4. Gradually add flour mixture and milk to the sugar mixture, alternating between the two until all ingredients are combined. Add pink food coloring until desired color is achieved. 5. Divide batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 6. Remove cakes from oven and let cool completely. 7. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring. Beat until frosting is light and fluffy. Add cotton candy flavoring if desired. 8. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top. Repeat with remaining layers. 9. Frost the entire cake with remaining frosting. Decorate with cotton candy and sprinkles.
Nutritional Information
This recipe serves 12 people. Each serving contains approximately:
- Calories: 700
- Total Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Sodium: 214mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 98g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 80g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time
This recipe takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare and bake.
Equipment
- 3 8-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Mixer
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cake spatula
Serving Suggestions
This cotton candy cake is perfect for any celebration. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.
Variations
If you don’t have cotton candy flavoring, you can use vanilla or almond extract instead. You can also try adding different food coloring to the cake and frosting to match the theme of your celebration.
Substitutions
If you don’t have whole milk, you can use 2% or skim milk instead. You can also use salted butter instead of unsalted butter, but be sure to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.
Storage
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the cake for up to 2 months.
Tips
Be sure to let the cake layers cool completely before frosting. This will prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off the cake.
Notes
This recipe makes a large cake, so be sure to have plenty of people to share it with!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of frosting?
Yes, you can use any type of frosting you like. However, the cotton candy flavoring really adds to the overall flavor of the cake.
Can I use a different type of milk?
Yes, you can use any type of milk you like. Just be sure to adjust the amount of sugar and vanilla extract accordingly.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cake layers ahead of time and freeze them until you’re ready to assemble the cake. You can also make the frosting ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Final Thoughts
This cotton candy cake recipe is a fun and unique way to add some whimsy to your dessert table. With its fluffy pink frosting and sweet cotton candy flavor, this cake is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. So, go ahead and give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!