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Cotton Candy Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 132 reviews

A whimsical Cotton Candy Cake that brings the magical flavor of cotton candy to a moist white cake base, enhanced with cotton candy soda and a light blue tint. Topped with a fluffy, sweet frosting infused with reduced cotton candy soda for a delightful, unique treat perfect for celebrations and fun gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 12 ounces Cotton Candy Soda (can substitute with cream soda)
  • 1 box White Cake Mix (15 ounces)
  • Light Blue Food Dye (optional)

Frosting

  • 1 cup Cotton Candy Soda (or 1 teaspoon Cotton Candy flavor extract)
  • 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
  • 4 cups Powdered Icing Sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons Milk
  • Light Blue Food Dye (optional)
  • Pastel Sprinkles (as desired)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9″ x 11″ casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and set aside.
  3. Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, beat together the white cake mix and 12 ounces of cotton candy soda for 2 minutes until well combined. Add light blue food dye to the batter if desired, making it a deeper blue than you want the finished cake since it lightens during baking.
  4. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Cool Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely before frosting to ensure the frosting sets well and doesn’t melt.
  6. Reduce Soda for Frosting: Pour 1 cup of cotton candy soda into a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until boiling. Then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the soda has reduced to 1/4 cup (about 2 ounces). Allow this reduction to cool completely.
  7. Make Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered icing sugar together for 2 minutes until fluffy. Gradually add the cooled reduced cotton candy soda and beat to incorporate. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve a spreadable consistency. Optionally, add light blue food dye to tint the frosting.
  8. Frost the Cake: Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Use short strokes and then roughen up the frosting slightly to create a fun textured appearance.
  9. Decorate: Garnish the frosted cake with pastel sprinkles as desired for a festive, colorful finish.

Notes

  • Using cotton candy soda is key to achieving the unique cotton candy flavor in both the cake and frosting.
  • Light blue food dye is optional but adds to the whimsical appearance of the cake.
  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting or sliding of frosting.
  • The soda reduction intensifies flavor and should be completely cooled before adding to the frosting.
  • If cotton candy soda is unavailable, cream soda can be used as a substitute, or use cotton candy flavor extract for the frosting.
  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Cotton Candy Cake, cotton candy soda cake, homemade cake, whimsical dessert, pastel cake, party cake

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/cotton-candy-cake-recipe/