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Cotton Candy Cookies Recipe – Fun & Sweet Dessert Recipe

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4.8 from 87 reviews

These Cotton Candy Cookies are a fun and sweet dessert featuring a soft, chewy texture infused with the whimsical flavor of cotton candy. Perfectly colored in pink and blue hues with optional marbled effect, these cookies are delightful to bake and enjoy for special occasions or anytime you crave a playful treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet 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

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Add-ins and Garnish

  • 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

  1. Preheat the oven: 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.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: 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 step creates air pockets important for a soft, chewy texture.
  3. Add wet ingredients: 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. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
  5. Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, 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.
  6. Add cotton candy pieces: Gently fold in the torn cotton candy pieces using a rubber spatula, distributing them evenly. Work quickly as cotton candy will dissolve when moist.
  7. Color the dough (optional): If desired, 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 color is evenly distributed. For a marbled look, lightly twist the two colored dough portions together without fully combining.
  8. Form cookie dough balls: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion dough into 1-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Place on prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches between cookies. Slightly flatten tops with your palm or the bottom of a glass.
  9. Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, until edges are set and centers appear slightly underdone. The residual heat will finish baking the cookies for a soft and chewy texture.
  10. Cool and garnish: Let 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 cookies while warm for a decorative effect.
  11. Store properly: Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, best within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and texture.

Notes

  • Work quickly when folding in cotton candy pieces to prevent it from dissolving too much in the dough.
  • Do not overbake – cookies should look slightly underdone in the center to remain soft and chewy.
  • Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering dough consistency.
  • Storing the cookies in an airtight container helps maintain freshness.
  • You can experiment with different cotton candy flavors to customize the taste.

Keywords: cotton candy cookies, colorful cookies, soft chewy cookies, fun dessert, sweet treats, cotton candy extract

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/cotton-candy-cookies-recipe-fun-and-sweet-dessert-recipe/