Description

Delight in this whimsical Cotton Candy Cake, featuring soft, pastel-colored layers infused with cotton candy flavoring and topped with fluffy buttercream frosting. Perfect for celebrations, this vibrant cake is decorated with rainbow sprinkles for an extra touch of fun and sweetness.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 1/2 cups (312g) all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
4 large egg whites, room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (360ml) whole milk, room temperature
1 1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring (or to taste)
Gel food coloring: pink, yellow, blue

For the Buttercream:

1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, room temperature
5 cups (600g) powdered sugar, sifted
2 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)
1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring (optional)
Pink gel food coloring

For Decoration:

Rainbow nonpareils or pastel sprinkles
Optional: extra piped frosting swirls

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Instructions

Bake the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg whites one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Divide batter evenly into three bowls. Tint each portion with a different gel food coloring (pink, yellow, blue). Pour each colored batter into separate pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make the Buttercream: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract, cotton candy flavoring (if using), and heavy cream. Beat until light and fluffy. Tint a portion with pink gel food coloring for decorating.
Assemble the Cake: Level cake layers if needed. Spread a layer of buttercream between each cake layer. Frost the top and sides evenly with buttercream. Decorate with rainbow sprinkles and optional frosting swirls.
Chill briefly to set before serving.

Notes

Adjust cotton candy flavoring to your taste preference.
Use gel food coloring to avoid altering batter consistency.
Store leftovers covered at room temperature or refrigerated.