Introduction

These Cotton Candy Cookies are a fun and sweet treat that bring the carnival spirit right to your kitchen. Soft, chewy, and bursting with a unique cotton candy flavor, they’re sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

A white plate is stacked with seven round cookies showing a cracked texture on top. Each cookie has a marbled mix of pastel pink, blue, and white swirls blending softly. Small, shiny white pearl-like sprinkles are scattered on top of the cookies, with some colored sprinkles like pink and purple lightly surrounding the plate. The background has a soft pink tone with a white marbled surface visible under the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cotton candy extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup pink and blue cotton candy, torn into small pieces
Pink and blue food coloring (gel preferred, optional)
Extra cotton candy for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Step 2: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This helps create a soft, chewy texture.
Step 3: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and cotton candy extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully incorporated and smooth, about 1 minute, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the ingredients.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed after each addition until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender; the dough should be soft but not sticky.
Step 6: Gently fold in the torn cotton candy pieces using a rubber spatula, distributing them evenly. Work quickly as cotton candy will dissolve when moist.
Step 7: (Optional) Divide the dough in half and add a few drops of pink food coloring to one half and blue to the other. Mix gently until evenly colored. For a marbled effect, lightly twist the two dough portions together without fully combining.
Step 8: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion dough into 1-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Place them on the prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches between cookies. Slightly flatten the tops with your palm or the bottom of a glass.
Step 9: Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges are set and centers look slightly underdone. Residual heat will finish baking for a soft, chewy texture.
Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, press small pieces of cotton candy onto the cookies while still warm for a decorative finish.

Tips & Variations

Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to avoid altering the dough consistency and achieve vibrant colors.
For a stronger cotton candy flavor, carefully increase the cotton candy extract by a small amount, but avoid overpowering the cookie.
Try adding small sprinkles or edible glitter along with the cotton candy for extra fun and sparkle.

Storage

Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For best freshness and chewiness, enjoy within 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave for a few seconds if you prefer a warm treat, but avoid overheating to prevent melting the cotton candy bits.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a colorful cookie held by a woman's hand, showing a rough, crumbly texture with layers in pastel pink, purple, blue, and cream shades, spread unevenly in a marbled pattern. The cookie top is sprinkled with small, round, multicolored candy bits in green, yellow, white, purple, pink, and blue, adding a playful touch. The background is softly blurred with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute cotton candy extract with another flavor?

Yes, you can substitute cotton candy extract with vanilla or almond extract if you prefer, but the unique cotton candy flavor will be less pronounced.

Will the cotton candy pieces dissolve completely in the dough?

The cotton candy pieces will soften but not fully dissolve if folded in quickly and baked immediately. This creates delightful pockets of sweetness within the cookies.