Introduction

These Cotton Candy Cookies bring the whimsy and sweetness of carnival treats right to your kitchen. Soft, colorful, and lightly flavored with a hint of cotton candy, they’re perfect for parties or a fun baking project with kids.

The image shows a stack of three soft pink cookies covered in a layer of fine sugar crystals that give them a slightly rough texture. Each cookie has visible cracks on the surface, highlighting their delicate and crumbly nature. The cookies are placed on a simple white plate that sits on a white marbled texture. The background is softly blurred with more pink cookies visible, adding depth to the photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
Pink food coloring, a few drops
Blue food coloring, a few drops
Cotton candy flavoring (optional), adjust to taste
Sprinkles (optional), for decoration

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cotton candy flavoring if using.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Add a few drops of pink food coloring to one half and blue food coloring to the other, mixing each until the colors are evenly distributed.
Step 6: To create a marbled effect, take small portions from each colored dough and gently combine them into balls without fully mixing the colors together.
Step 7: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with sprinkles if desired for added decoration.
Step 8: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger cotton candy taste, add cotton candy flavoring little by little until you reach your preferred sweetness.
Try using different colors or swirl more colors together for a rainbow effect.
Substitute almond extract with a few drops of raspberry or lemon extract for a fruity twist.
Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookie sizes for even baking.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them soft, add a slice of bread inside the container. These cookies also freeze well; thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer them warm.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of several small cookies stacked in a pile on a white plate. Each cookie has two layers: the bottom layer is a light beige, smooth and slightly crumbly base, while the top layer is a soft, pink, cracked, and rough-textured mound covered in coarse white sugar crystals giving it a frosty look. The cookies are set against a white marbled surface with blurred background colors that make the pink tops stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

Yes, simply skip the food coloring and mix the dough together as is for a classic vanilla cookie flavor. They will still taste great but won’t have the colorful appearance.

What can I use if I don’t have cotton candy flavoring?

If cotton candy flavoring isn’t available, you can omit it or try a combination of vanilla and almond extracts for a sweet, nutty flavor that complements the sugary dough well.

Cotton Candy Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 142 reviews

Delightfully whimsical Cotton Candy Cookies that combine soft, fluffy textures with vibrant pink and blue swirls, offering a fun and playful treat reminiscent of your favorite carnival sweet. Lightly flavored with vanilla, almond, and optional cotton candy essence, these cookies are perfect for parties or a colorful snack any time.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract

Coloring & Flavoring

Pink food coloring, a few drops
Blue food coloring, a few drops
Cotton candy flavoring (optional), adjust to taste
Sprinkles (optional), for decoration

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick and bake evenly.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This helps to distribute all the leavening agents evenly throughout the flour for balanced rising.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color, which creates a tender and soft cookie texture.
Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined. If using cotton candy flavoring, add it here according to your preferred intensity.
Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
Divide and Color Dough: Divide the cookie dough evenly into two bowls. Add a few drops of pink food coloring to one half and blue food coloring to the other. Mix each dough well until the colors are fully incorporated.
Form Cookie Balls: Take small portions of each colored dough and gently combine them by swirling or slightly folding to create a marbled effect. Roll the mixed dough into small balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Arrange and Decorate: Place the cookie balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. If desired, sprinkle the tops with sprinkles for a festive touch.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
Cool Before Serving: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they hold their shape and texture.

Notes

For more intense cotton candy flavor, adjust the flavoring incrementally to avoid overpowering the cookie base.
Be careful not to overmix the dough once combined to keep the cookies tender.
Using parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To enhance the marbled effect, fold the colored dough gently rather than fully combining.

Keywords: Cotton Candy Cookies, colorful cookies, marbled cookies, fun dessert, party cookies