Cotton Candy Cookies

Soft and chewy cotton candy cookies with vibrant pink and blue swirls, infused with nostalgic carnival-inspired flavor. These whimsical cookies feature a tender sugar-cookie texture and a crunchy spun sugar topping for the ultimate fun dessert experience.

Print Pin

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, American Dessert

Keyword: Cotton Candy Cookies

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 27

Servings: cookies

Calories: 145kcal

Author: Lila benett

Cost: 3

Equipment

mixing bowls
electric mixer
whisk
rubber spatula
baking sheets
parchment paper
wire cooling rack
cookie scoop 1.5-tablespoon scoop recommended

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cotton candy flavoring oil
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pink gel food coloring
1/8 tsp blue gel food coloring
2 tbsp spun sugar or crushed rock candy topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk together flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and beat until smooth and creamy.
Add vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring oil and mix until evenly combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until no flour streaks remain.
Divide the dough evenly into two bowls.
Mix pink gel coloring into one dough portion until evenly colored.
Mix blue gel coloring into the second dough portion until evenly colored.
Scoop pink dough onto one prepared baking sheet using a cookie scoop.
Scoop blue dough onto the second prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
Flatten each cookie slightly using the bottom of a glass dipped in water.
Bake for 11–12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.
Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes.
Top cookies with spun sugar or crushed rock candy while slightly warm.
Allow cookies to set for 5 minutes before serving or storing.

Notes

Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to prevent excess moisture in the dough. Slightly underbake the cookies for a pillowy-soft texture. Apply the spun sugar topping while cookies are still slightly warm so it adheres properly.

Nutrition