Cotton Candy Cookies

Cotton Candy Cookies: A Whimsical and Sweet Treat

If you’re looking for a fun and nostalgic treat that captures the essence of childhood fairs and carnivals, these Cotton Candy Cookies are the perfect recipe! With their vibrant colors and sweet, cotton candy flavor, these cookies are not only delicious but also visually stunning. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or just a fun baking day with the family, these cookies will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ teaspoons cotton candy flavoring
• Pink food coloring
• Blue food coloring
• Powdered sugar or flour (for rolling)

For the Topping:

• 16 ounces white icing
• Sprinkles (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. This step ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough, helping the cookies rise evenly.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar:

• In a large mixing bowl, blend the softened butter and sugar together until creamy and light. This should take about 2-3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add the egg and cotton candy flavoring, mixing well until fully incorporated. The egg adds richness to the cookies, while the cotton candy flavoring gives them their signature taste.

4. Combine Ingredients:

• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. The dough may be a little crumbly, but it should come together when pressed.

5. Color the Dough:

• Turn the dough out onto a surface lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar or flour to prevent sticking. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Add pink food coloring to one portion and blue food coloring to the other, working each portion until the color is evenly distributed. These colors give the cookies their fun, cotton candy-like appearance.

6. Roll and Layer the Dough:

• Roll out each portion of colored dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Carefully place one sheet of dough on top of the other, gently patting to remove any air pockets. Roll the layered dough tightly from one side to the other, like a jelly roll, to create a spiral pattern.

7. Slice and Bake:

• Slice the rolled dough into ¼ inch thick slices and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes, being careful not to let the cookies brown. You want the colors to stay vibrant and the cookies to remain soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for at least 20 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

8. Prepare the Icing:

• While the cookies cool, prepare the icing. Remove the lid and aluminum seal from the container of icing and microwave for 1 minute to make it easier to drizzle. If you want to enhance the cotton candy flavor, stir in 1 teaspoon of cotton candy extract.

9. Decorate the Cookies:

• Add the icing to a piping bag and pipe it over the cookies, or use a spoon to drizzle the icing over the tops. While the icing is still wet, add sprinkles for a fun, festive touch.

10. Let the Icing Set:

• Allow the icing to dry completely before stacking the cookies. If stacking, place parchment or waxed paper between each layer to prevent sticking.

Tips for Success

• Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring provides vibrant colors without adding too much liquid to the dough.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies in the oven to ensure they don’t brown, preserving their bright colors and soft texture.
• Customize Your Sprinkles: Choose sprinkles that match your theme or occasion for a personalized touch.

Nutritional Information

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 9 minutes
• Cooling Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 59 minutes
• Calories: 210 kcal per cookie
• Servings: 24 cookies

These Cotton Candy Cookies are sure to be a hit at any event or gathering, bringing a burst of color and flavor to your dessert table. The combination of the sweet, nostalgic cotton candy flavor with the soft, buttery texture of the cookies makes them irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a party or just for fun, these cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!

Print