Cotton Candy Cookies (Printable Version)
Soft pastel cookies swirled with cotton candy flavor, perfect for parties and celebrations.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
07 - 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 - 1/2 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
→ For the Look and Flavor
11 - Pink and blue gel food coloring
12 - 1/2 cup (60 g) cotton candy, for optional garnish and extra flavor
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
04 - Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and cotton candy flavoring to the butter mixture. Beat until smooth and well combined.
05 - Gradually mix the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
06 - Divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring to one half and blue to the other. Mix each until the color is evenly distributed.
07 - Pinch off a small amount of dough from each colored batch and gently roll them together in your palms to form a 1.5-inch ball with a marbled swirl effect. Place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
08 - Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still soft in the center.
09 - Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Just before serving, optionally top each cooled cookie with a small tuft of cotton candy for a whimsical presentation. Add the garnish right before serving, as cotton candy dissolves quickly.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- The marbled pink and blue dough looks impressive but takes zero artistic skill to pull off.
- Cotton candy flavoring adds a fun twist without being overwhelming or cloying.
- They stay soft for days when stored properly, making them great for party prep ahead of time.
02 -
- Gel food coloring is the only way to get vibrant pastels without ruining the dough consistency.
- The cotton candy topping dissolves within minutes on contact with moisture so add it at the very last second.
- Clear vanilla extract keeps the dough color brighter if you can find it at your grocery store.
03 -
- Chill the shaped dough balls for fifteen minutes in the fridge before baking to help them hold their round shape and reduce spreading.
- Dip your measuring spoon in a tiny bit of oil before measuring the cotton candy flavoring so it slides right out cleanly.