Nostalgic Cotton Candy Cupcakes with Fluffy Pastel Frosting

There’s something a little magical about cotton candy, and these cotton candy cupcakes bring that whimsy into a simple, delicious treat. They’re soft, fluffy, and packed with a nostalgic flavor that’s sure to make both kids and adults smile.

I love making these when I want something playful and eye-catching, but still easy to whip up. You don’t need complicated techniques—just basic ingredients, a little color, and that signature cotton candy taste.

Whether you’re baking with kids or just want to bring a bit of fun to dessert, this recipe is a sweet, no-stress favorite you’ll come back to again and again.

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Equipment You Will Need

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large mixing bowl
• Hand or stand mixer
• Spatula
• Muffin tins
• Cupcake liners
• 1 Large, 3 small piping bags
• Large star tip
• Cocktail sticks (optional)

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Cotton Candy Cupcake Recipe

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• Total Time: 48-50 minutes
• Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

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For the cupcake:

1 15.25 oz white cake mix

1 1/4 cups water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

4 egg whites

LorAnn Cotton Candy Flavoring

1 1/4 cups Nestle® Toll House® Funfetti Baking Morsels, divided

For the frosting:

1 1/2 sticks salted butter, softened

1 cup shortening

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3–4 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons half and half

LorAnn Cotton Candy Flavor

Blue and pink gel food coloring

Cotton candy (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or line a standard muffin tin.
2. Add cake mix to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, mix in your water, oil, and egg whites on medium until well incorporated.
3. Fold in 1 cup of the Funfetti Morsels.
4. Add batter into the muffin tin until each is about 2/3 full. Top with a few of the remaining Funfetti Morsels. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before adding candy filling and frosting.
5. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, cream the butter and shortening for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
6. Mix in the vanilla extract, salt, and cotton candy flavoring (start with 1-2 drops as this flavoring is very strong!).
7. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, while alternating 1 tablespoon of the half and half.  Continue to mix until creamy and stiff peaks form.
8. Divide the frosting into 3 containers. Add the blue food coloring to one container and the pink to the other, 1 drop at a time and mix until desired color is achieved. Leave the other container without color.
9. Add each color to its own small piping bag until you have 3 bags of frosting and then insert your 3 smaller piping bags into the large, prepared piping bag.
10. Before frosting your cupcakes, squeeze out a bit onto a plate until you see all the colors come out. Frost your cupcakes and garnish with cotton candy of desired and enjoy!

• Author: Little Party Pixie
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
• Category: Sweet Treats

Step-By-Step Process

These cotton candy cupcakes are perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any celebration that calls for something fun and festive. They’re a great way to add a touch of color and charm to your dessert table.

If you’re looking for more fun recipe ideas, be sure to check out the other party-friendly treats on my blog!

If you liked this, don’t miss the Tie-Dye Unicorn Hershey’s Kiss Cookies and Unicorn Mini Cheesecakes—they’re both colorful, easy, and party-ready.

© Little Party Pixie 2025