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Homemade cotton candy cake slice with pink, blue, and white layers, fluffy frosting, and a pink cotton candy topping, served on a white plate with candy pearls.

Cotton Candy Cake

5 from 1 vote
A whimsical and nostalgic birthday showstopper, this Cotton Candy Cake features swirled pastel layers, dreamy cotton candy frosting, and magical carnival-inspired decorations. Loved by kids and adults alike!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 460
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Base:
  • 1 box White cake mix - Use gluten-free if needed
  • 1 cup Milk - Whole or 2%
  • ⅓ cup Vegetable oil - Or melted butter
  • 4 Egg whites - Use for white base color
  • 2 teaspoon Cotton candy extract - Or mix of vanilla + almond
  • 1 teaspoon Clear vanilla extract - Enhances flavor
  • Gel food coloring - Pink and blue
Frosting:
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter - Room temperature
  • 4 cups Powdered sugar - Sifted
  • 2–4 tbsp Heavy cream - Adjust for consistency
  • 1 teaspoon Cotton candy extract
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Optional
  • Gel food coloring - Pink, blue, optional white
Decorations:
  • Cotton candy - Add just before serving
  • Sprinkles - Any color/theme
  • Edible glitter - Optional
  • Sugar pearls - Pink and blue
  • White chocolate - For optional drip effect

Equipment

  • 8-inch cake pans (Lined with parchment paper)
  • Electric mixer (Stand or hand mixer)
  • Cooling rack (For cooling cake layers)
  • Offset spatula (For smooth frosting application)
  • Cake turntable (Optional but helpful for frosting)
  • Piping bags and tips (For decorative swirls)
  • Bench scraper (For smooth frosting sides)
  • Measuring cups and spoons (Standard set)
  • Large mixing bowls (For batter and frosting)
  • Serrated knife (For leveling layers)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, milk, oil, egg whites, and extracts. Mix until just combined (do not overmix).
  3. Split batter evenly into two bowls. Tint one bowl pink and the other blue using gel food coloring.
  4. Spoon alternating dollops of each color into the pans. Swirl gently with a knife or skewer to create a marbled effect.
  5. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
  6. Beat butter until fluffy (about 5 minutes). Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in extracts and cream. Beat until light and fluffy. Divide and color frosting as desired.
  7. Level cake layers if needed. Stack layers with frosting between them. Apply a thin crumb coat and chill for 30 minutes.
  8. Apply final frosting layer in swirls. Add sprinkles, pearls, and glitter. Top with cotton candy just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 460kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 3gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 280mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 48gVitamin A: 560IUCalcium: 60mgIron: 0.8mg

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.

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