Cotton Candy Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Cotton Candy Cookies are a whimsical treat that combines a soft, buttery texture with a sweet cotton candy flavor. Their subtle pink and blue swirls make them as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Perfect for parties or a fun baking project, these cookies bring a nostalgic carnival vibe to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 1/3 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 drops pink food coloring
- 3 drops blue food coloring
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the egg and cotton candy extract, then mix until fully combined.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Step 6: Divide the dough into two equal portions.
- Step 7: Add a few drops of pink food coloring to one portion and a few drops of blue to the other. Mix well to lightly color the dough, adding drops as needed for a soft tint.
- Step 8: To create a swirl effect, tear off pieces from each colored dough and press them together into a large ball. Then rip and squish the ball in half several times to gently mix the colors without blending completely.
- Step 9: Scoop the swirled dough into 3-tablespoon-sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Step 10: Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, or until the bottoms begin to turn light brown. Allow them to cool completely on the baking tray before transferring to a rack.
Tips & Variations
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without adding extra moisture to the dough.
- For an extra fun twist, sprinkle a little edible glitter on top before baking.
- If you can’t find cotton candy extract, try vanilla with a tiny bit of raspberry extract as a substitute.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to three months; thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat slightly in a microwave for a soft, freshly baked feel.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter if I only have unsalted on hand?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.
How can I make the colors more distinct in the swirled dough?
Be careful not to overmix when combining the colored doughs—tear and lightly press them together to keep the swirls distinct without blending the colors completely.
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Cotton Candy Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Description
Delightfully fun and whimsical, these Cotton Candy Cookies feature a soft, tender crumb infused with a sweet cotton candy flavor and swirls of pastel pink and blue. Perfect for parties or a playful treat, their subtle sweetness and unique color make them stand out on any cookie platter.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/3 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon cotton candy extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coloring
- 3 drops pink food coloring (adjust based on brand)
- 3 drops blue food coloring (adjust based on brand)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the room temperature butter and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 5 minutes using a mixer on medium speed.
- Add Egg and Extract: Incorporate the large egg and cotton candy extract into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly until well combined to infuse the cookie dough with the signature flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasonings.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to form a cookie dough without overdeveloping gluten.
- Divide Dough: Split the dough evenly into two separate portions to prepare for coloring.
- Color the Dough: Add a few drops of pink food coloring to one portion and a few drops of blue food coloring to the other. Start with a small amount and mix thoroughly until the dough is evenly tinted but still light in color.
- Create Swirls: Take parts of each colored dough and press them together to form a large dough ball. Then tear and fold this ball multiple times to create a marbled swirl effect without fully blending the colors.
- Scoop Cookies: Using a scoop or spoon, portion the swirled dough into 3-tablespoon balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, or until the bottoms just start to turn golden brown, indicating they are cooked through but still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack or serving plate to set properly and maintain shape.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- Adjust the amount of food coloring depending on the brand to achieve the desired pastel tone without overpowering the dough.
- Be careful not to overmix when combining the dry and wet ingredients to avoid tough cookies.
- Cooling cookies on the baking sheet helps them set and prevents breaking.
- Cotton candy extract is key to achieving the unique flavor; do not substitute with vanilla.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cotton candy cookies, pastel cookies, swirled cookies, soft cookies, party cookies, flavored cookies
