Easy Cotton Candy Cupcakes {Candy Floss}

Easy cotton candy cupcakes recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Soft and moist chocolate devil's food cupcakes are decorated with vanilla buttercream icing and fluffy pink and blue cotton candy toppers. Great for birthday parties.

Since cotton candy and buttercream frosting are both so sweet, I had to balance the intense sweetness with the bitterness of chocolate cupcakes. I tried this candy decoration on vanilla cupcakes but that was creating a very one dimensional flavor profile and it was overly sweet. I am sure kids would beg to differ and go crazy for them though! I also know that my younger self would have gone bonkers for these and gotten a crazy sugar rush and drove my Mom crazy. If you are looking for similar confectionary delights, check out these recipes for Cotton Candy Cookies and Cotton Candy Cake.

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• Variations
• How to make easy cotton candy cupcakes recipe from scratch?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More candy desserts
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Flour- The is the base of your batter.
• Baking powder and baking soda- Act as rising agents.
• Salt- Balances out sweet flavor.
• Cocoa powder- This also helps to balance the sweet frosting and cotton candy.
• Espresso powder- Brings out the chocolate flavor.
• Brown sugar- Similar to your regular table sugar but with the addition of molasses.
• Water- Be sure it is hot, not just warm.
• Butter- Use unsalted room temperature for best results.
• Granulated Sugar- The base of your sweet tooth needs.
• Vanilla extract- Compliments the other ingredients with warmth.
• Almond extract- This is optional but really adds to the flavor.
• Eggs- Use large ones at room temperature so they mix well.
• Buttercream frosting- Versatile and easy to decorate with.
• Cotton candy- Use both pink and blue for extra fun and flavor.

Variations

• Instead of chocolate cupcakes- Make these Best Vanilla Cupcakes or these Yellow Cupcakes. Color the batter pink and blue and it will match the candy decoration.
• Make this with a yellow cake mix- Prepare the batter as per the instructions on the bow. Divide the batter into two bowls. Mix in pink coloring in one bowl and blue coloring in the other. Pour spoonfuls of both batters in cupcake liners. Swirl with a toothpick. Bake and cool. Then, ice and stick cotton candy on top.
• Try other cotton candy flavors and colors- With so many flavors and colors to choose from, have some fun and be creative.
• Use boxed cake mix- Instead of making Devil's food cupcakes from scratch, use the box and save some time.
• Add to the decorations- With edible pearls, Nerds, mini marshmallows, mini gummy bears, mini chocolate chips, mini Starbursts, or coconut flakes.
• Use a different flavor frosting- Like Funfetti Frosting, Marshmallow Frosting, White Chocolate Frosting, or American Buttercream. There are also chocolate options, such as Chocolate Ganache Frosting, Chocolate Buttercream, or Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Fill the cupcakes- With sprinkles, Strawberry Jam, marshmallow creme, Cream Cheese Frosting, various candies, Caramel Sauce, or Chocolate Ganache. If you have never done this before, look at my post on How to Make Filled Cupcakes for helpful tips.

How to make easy cotton candy cupcakes recipe from scratch?

1. Make flour mixture- By combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Make chocolate liquid mixture- By combining cocoa powder, espresso powder, brown sugar, and water.
3. Cream together- Butter and sugar until fluffy, then add extracts and eggs.
4. Stir in- Half of the flour mixture and half of the chocolate liquid mixture. Repeat.
5. Pour batter- In cupcake liners and bake until done.
6. Allow cupcakes to cool- While preparing the frosting.
7. Frost each cupcake- With a spatula.
8. Just prior to serving- Tear apart cotton candy and stick it on top of each iced cupcake.

Tips and techniques

• Add cotton candy decoration just prior to serving- Or else it will dissolve and make a huge ugly mess.
• Almond extract is optional- And can be omitted or replaced with another extract of your choice. I highly recommend adding it though. It adds another level of flavor that's subtle but delicious.
• Use dark cocoa powder- For a more intense chocolate flavor. 
• Water should be hot- And not room temperature like the eggs and butter.
• Make sure you are using unsalted butter- So that your sweet treat doesn't become too salty.
• Don't ice warm cupcakes- Or the frosting will melt and make a mess. 
• Be sure to beat butter and sugar- Until it is fluffy and light.
• Use a spatula to ice each cupcake- Because this is easiest and yields the best results.
• Keep cotton sealed until ready to use- Because this will keep it fresh and help it not to dissolve or harden.
• Be sure your hands are dry- When handling the cotton candy or else it will dissolves or become crunchy.
• Don't over-mix the batter- Or else cupcakes can get chewy. Some lumps are okay.
• The cotton candy will stick- To the frosting below, so no need for special glue or anything.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Room temperature- I don't recommend letting this sit out for more than 2-3 hours, because the cotton candy will melt or harden.
• Refrigerate- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days but the cotton candy will most likely dissolve. 
• Freeze- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw and decorate with the cotton candy per instructions below.
• Make ahead- Leaving off the cotton candy until ready to serve, you can make the cake up to 3 days before and store it in the fridge in a sealed container. You can also freeze the cake for up to 1 month before needed. When ready, thaw, decorate, and serve.

More candy desserts

• Easy Candy Cake
• Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies
• Birds Nest Cookies
• Easy Camping Cake
• Summer Cake
• JELL-O Marshmallow Candy (Pinwheels)
• Halloween Monster Donuts

Recipe