Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring (if using).
Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined after each addition.
Add a few drops of food coloring to the batter and mix until you reach your desired color.
2. Bake the Cupcakes:
Divide the cupcake batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
3. Make the Frosting:
While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract, cotton candy flavoring (if using), and heavy cream. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust the consistency by adding more heavy cream, a tablespoon at a time, if needed.
Add a few drops of food coloring to achieve your desired pastel shade.
4. Frost the Cupcakes:
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, use a piping bag with a star tip or a simple butter knife to frost each cupcake with a generous amount of cotton candy-flavored frosting.
5. Garnish (Optional):
For an extra touch, you can top each cupcake with a small tuft of cotton candy. This gives them a fun and festive look that’s perfect for special occasions.
6. Serve:
Serve the cotton candy cupcakes immediately, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days
