Description
A whimsical, sweet frosting with the nostalgic flavor of cotton candy—perfect for topping cupcakes, cakes, or cookies with a fun pastel swirl.
Ingredients
Units
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- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring (LorAnn or similar)
- Food coloring (optional: pink and blue for classic cotton candy effect)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter with a hand mixer or stand mixer until creamy and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add cotton candy flavoring, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons cream or milk. Beat until smooth and fluffy, adding more cream 1 teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- If using food coloring, divide frosting into two bowls. Tint one bowl pink and the other blue. Swirl together slightly when piping for a two-tone effect.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature and re-whip before using.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the frosting.
- Flavor intensity can vary—start with 1/4 tsp cotton candy flavoring and adjust to taste.
- Add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for a creamy depth if desired.
- Pipe with a star tip for a carnival-style swirl on cupcakes or cookies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg