Name: Cotton Candy Cake – Fluffy Layers
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk; 1 tbsp vanilla extract; 1–2 tsp cotton candy flavoring (adjust to taste); Pink and blue gel food coloring; 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar; 2–4 tbsp heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp cotton candy flavoring (optional); Pink and blue gel coloring; Sprinkles; Cotton candy (add only right before serving); Edible glitter

Description

A light, whimsical, cotton-candy–flavored cake with soft pastel layers and fluffy frosting. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or whenever you want a fun, colorful dessert that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1–2 tsp cotton candy flavoring (adjust to taste)
Pink and blue gel food coloring

For the Frosting

1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2–4 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cotton candy flavoring (optional)
Pink and blue gel coloring

Optional Decorations

Sprinkles
Cotton candy (add only right before serving)
Edible glitter

Instructions

Prep the Cake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line two or three 8-inch cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
- Add vanilla and cotton candy flavoring.
- Mix in the dry ingredients and milk alternately until smooth.
Color & Bake
- Divide batter evenly into 2 or 3 bowls depending on how many color layers you want.
- Tint each bowl lightly pink, blue, or swirl the two colors.
- Pour into pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake 22–26 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar a cup at a time.
- Add vanilla, cream, and optional cotton candy flavor.
- Separate frosting into two bowls and tint pink and blue (or leave white).

Assemble the Cake
- Level cake layers if needed.
- Spread frosting between layers, alternating colors for a cotton-candy look.
- Frost outside of the cake using swirls, ombré, or smooth finish.
- Decorate with sprinkles or add cotton candy just before serving.

Notes

Cotton candy melts quickly — add as a topping right before serving.
Gel food coloring works best for vibrant pastel shades.
Make sure cakes are fully cooled before assembling to avoid melting frosting.

Leveling the cakes ensures a clean, even look.