Cotton Candy Frosting
A fluffy, colorful buttercream that tastes just like carnival cotton candy—perfect for cupcakes, cakes, and cookies. Pipes beautifully, takes minutes to make, and can be tinted pink and blue for a fun swirl.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar), sifted if lumpy
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring (extract or flavoring oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free, optional)
- pinch fine salt
- gel food coloring (pink and blue), optional for swirl
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2–3 minutes.
- With mixer on low, gradually add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing until incorporated and scraping the bowl as needed.
- Add cotton candy flavoring, vanilla (if using), and a pinch of salt. Mix to combine.
- Drizzle in 2 tablespoons cream or milk and beat on low until smooth; add up to 1 more tablespoon to reach desired piping consistency.
- Increase speed to medium-high and whip 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- For colors, divide frosting into two bowls. Tint one pink and the other blue with gel coloring, stirring until evenly colored.
- For a swirl, place pink and blue frostings side by side in a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or use the plastic-wrap log method). Pipe onto cupcakes or spread over cakes.
- Use immediately, or store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tbspCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 24gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 10mgSugar: 22g
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