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Whimsical Truffula Tree Cupcakes Recipe with Fluffy Cotton Candy Topping Made Easy

Whimsical Truffula Tree Cupcakes - featured image
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These whimsical cupcakes feature a moist vanilla base with a hint of almond, topped with fluffy pastel cotton candy that looks like tiny Truffula trees. Perfect for parties and easy to make in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ cup whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (for frosting)
  • Food coloring in pastel shades (pink, blue, yellow, optional)
  • Fluffy cotton candy in assorted pastel colors

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat ½ cup softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and almond extracts; mix until combined.
  5. Reduce mixer speed to low. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk in three additions, starting and ending with flour. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full using a scoop or spoon.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes.
  10. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low then increasing speed.
  11. Add vanilla extract and heavy cream or milk until smooth and fluffy.
  12. Divide frosting into bowls and tint with food coloring to create pastel shades.
  13. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes using a star tip or spread with a knife.
  14. Just before serving, gently place a small tuft of pastel cotton candy on top of each cupcake, shaping like a tiny Truffula tree.

Notes

Add cotton candy topping just before serving to prevent melting. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix batter to keep cupcakes tender. Frosting can be chilled if too soft for piping. For dairy-free, substitute almond or oat milk and plant-based butter. Gluten-free flour blend can be used with slight baking time adjustment.

Nutrition

Keywords: cupcakes, cotton candy, whimsical, party dessert, vanilla cupcakes, almond extract, easy cupcakes, pastel frosting

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