Cotton Candy Layer Cake Recipe
Kristan Roland | Confessions of a Cookbook QueenCotton Candy Layer Cake is almost too good to be true. Who wouldn't love a pink cotton candy cake?
I have heard rumors that cotton candy is meant for children, but I have difficulty believing this to be true. Because eating cotton candy is equivalent to eating heaping spoonfuls of straight up sugar.
And while I’m sure that is a delightful experience for children, it is not very socially acceptable. And certainly isn’t conducive to good behavior. Even more so with cotton candy layer cake.
It is with this in mind that I admit to stealing cotton candy from my son several years ago. Bless his heart, he headed off to first grade that day assuming that his precious cotton candy would be waiting for him when he got home from school.
Little did he know that with his best interests at heart, I would consume the entire bag with no remorse.
It wasn’t good for him. And all that sugar was liable to send him into a spiral of undesirable behavior. I mean, think of what could have happened! I probably saved him from a life of crime.
The fact that he’s not in prison right now is most likely thanks to me and my theft of his cotton candy.
Also? It wasn’t even that good. And we all know that there is nothing worse than second-rate cotton candy. I sacrificed my taste buds to save him the inevitable heartbreak of consuming mediocre cotton candy.
Moms are just selfless like that.
Sometimes I read articles about the importance of moms doing things for themselves more often and I’m like, you know, I think these people are on to something.
Then I sneak in my child’s room after he falls asleep and raid his Easter basket / Christmas stocking / class party goody bag and feel strangely at peace about it. I feel like it’s what the experts would recommend. Pretty sure I read it in Dr. Becky's book.
How can I take care of anyone else if I’m not taking care of me?
If, by any chance, you are open to the idea of sharing cotton candy (I don’t necessarily recommend it), this cotton candy layer cake recipe is a great option.
For starters, there's enough to go around. And it turns what often feels like state fair food associated with summertime into a year-round treat. I might, as a sort of tacit apology, make it for my son's next birthday.
The pink cake is cotton candy flavored all the way through, and the cotton candy buttercream is perfectly creamy and sweet.
I do not recommend topping it with cotton candy until time to serve, otherwise the moisture in the frosting will break down the cotton candy and cause it to shrink very pitifully.
Whether you choose to share or keep this cake all to yourself, you definitely need to make it! It’s so yummy and fun, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Or your child's or a friend's, if you're a giving person like that.
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The more I look at it, the more I think this layer cake could be a great idea for a gender reveal party. Or a whimsical fairy-themed birthday. Easter maybe? Or just a chance to get in touch with your inner child. If I'm honest though, I think it's also a perfect way to beat back the mid-week doldrums.
Like, do you really need any justification other than pure delight to enjoy this cotton candy layer cake recipe?
I know I don't.
Gear You'll Need for This Cake
In order to properly make this recipe, you'll need the following kitchen gear (or comparable substitutes):
- Two 8- or 9-inch cake pans
- Liquid measuring cup
- Whisk
- Large mixing bowl
- A stand mixer
- Spatula
- Wire cooling rack
- Small saucepan
Cotton Candy Layer Cake Ingredients
This recipe calls for the following ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 6 large Egg Whites
- 2 teaspoons Cotton Candy Extract
- 2 1/4 cups Cake Flour
- 1 3/4 cups Granulated Sugar
- 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
- Sprinkles (you pick!)
- 12 tablespoons Butter
- A few drops of Pink Food Coloring, Or blue food coloring, if desired
For the Cotton Candy Simple Syrup:
- 1/2 cup Cotton Candy Floss Sugar
- 1/2 cup Water
For the Cotton Candy Frosting:
- 1/2 teaspoon Cotton Candy Extract
- 3 sticks Salted Butter, Softened
- 5 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
For Optional Garnish:
- Cotton Candy, Or rock candy
As you can see, you're going to need a lot of butter! Play around with different sprinkles and garnish options to make these more theme-appropriate for whatever occasion (or random Tuesday) you're making the cake for.
Love this recipe? You may also like making our homemade Twix candy bars.
Cotton Candy Layer Cake Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Cake:- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 6 large Egg Whites
- 2 teaspoons Cotton Candy Extract
- 2 1/4 cups Cake Flour
- 1 3/4 cups Granulated Sugar
- 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
- Sprinkles
- 12 tablespoons Butter
- a few drops of Pink Food Coloring, Or blue food coloring, if desired
- 1/2 cup Cotton Candy Floss Sugar
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Cotton Candy Extract
- 3 sticks Salted Butter, Softened
- 5 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
- Cotton Candy, Or rock candy
Directions
For the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter and flour two 8 or 9 inch cake pans and set aside.
- In a large glass liquid measuring cup, whisk together the milk, egg whites, and cotton candy flavoring. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and sprinkles. Beat the flour mixture and butter on low speed until the mixture is crumbly, about 3 minutes.
- With the mixer on low, beat in all but 1/2 cup of the milk mixture. Increase speed to medium and beat for about 3 minutes, until smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in remaining milk mixture until just mixed.
- Give batter a final stir with rubber spatula, scraping bottom of the bowl to make sure all is fully combined. Pour evenly into prepared pans, smoothing the tops of the batter. Bake for about 20 minutes or until tops are brown and centers spring back when very lightly touched.
- Remove from oven and let cool in pans for about 5 minutes before turning onto wire rack to cool completely.
For the Cotton Candy Simple Syrup:
- In a small, heavy saucepan, whisk together cotton candy sugar and water over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.
- Boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and mixture coats the back of a spoon.
- Pour in a small cup or bowl and place in the refrigerator until cooled.
For the Frosting:
- In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter, simple syrup and cotton candy flavoring on medium speed until smooth.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add powdered sugar until just combined. Add heavy cream, then slowly increase mixer speed to high and beat for one minute until light and fluffy.
- Assemble and frost cooled cake.
- Garnish with candy, if desired.
- Cake batter adapted from Cooks Illustrated
- Published:
- Modified:
- Author:
- Kristan Roland
- Source:
- Cake batter adapted from Cooks Illustrated
- Cooking Method:
- Baking
- Category:
- Desserts
- Tags:
- Cakes, Desserts, Candy, Baking, Baked, Party Food
- Related Recipes:
- Cake Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Candy Recipes, Baking Recipes, Baked Recipes, Party Food Recipes
- Recipe Yields:
- 15 servings
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Total Time:
- Related Post:
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Published:
- Cake batter adapted from Cooks Illustrated
Author: Kristan Roland
Source:
Recipe Yields: 15 servings
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
