Cotton Candy Cookies

Cotton Candy Cookies are a fun and whimsical treat that brings the nostalgic flavor of cotton candy to life in a soft, chewy cookie form. These cookies are perfect for parties, holiday celebrations, or anytime you want to indulge in a sweet and colorful dessert. With a hint of cotton candy extract, a sprinkle of vibrant candy colors, and the sweetness of brown and granulated sugars, these cookies are a delightful twist on the classic sugar cookie.

The unique flavor of cotton candy combined with the chewy texture of the cookies makes them irresistible. These cookies are not just delicious, but also visually captivating, with their pastel hues and candy sprinkles. Whether you’re a fan of the sugary treat or just looking for a fun dessert to make with kids, these cookies are a perfect choice. Easy to make, they’ll add a magical touch to your baking repertoire.

The optional food coloring gives you the freedom to create fun, colorful cookies that look as good as they taste. These cookies are an instant hit, capturing the whimsical spirit of the carnival and the fairground right in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Cotton Candy Cookies

Cotton Candy Cookies are the ideal dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth who enjoys a bit of nostalgia. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a batch of whimsical cookies that will impress both kids and adults alike. The cotton candy extract provides a delightful, sugary flavor that instantly transports you back to the fair or carnival. The cotton candy sprinkles or colorful nonpareils add the perfect amount of fun and flair to each cookie.

The best part? These cookies are customizable. You can make them as colorful as you like by adding pink and blue gel food coloring, or you can skip the coloring for a more subtle, yet still festive, treat. They’re also easy to make ahead of time, store, and enjoy over several days.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• Unsalted butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Light brown sugar, packed
• Large egg
• Vanilla extract
• Cotton candy extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cotton candy sprinkles (or colorful nonpareils)

Optional:

• Pink and blue gel food coloring

Variations

• Flavor Variations: If you want to experiment with different flavors, you can try using bubblegum extract instead of cotton candy extract for a fun twist.
• Sprinkle Variations: Feel free to switch up the sprinkles. You could use rainbow sprinkles or pastel-colored nonpareils to create the look you want.
• Dairy-Free Option: For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative.

How to Make the Cotton Candy Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and cotton candy extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined and smooth.

Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 5: Add Color (Optional)

If you are using gel food coloring, divide the dough into two portions. Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring to one portion and blue to the other. Gently fold the colors in until the dough is evenly colored.

Step 6: Add the Sprinkles

Fold in the cotton candy sprinkles or colorful nonpareils, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake the Cookies

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of cookie dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten the tops of the dough balls with your fingers.

Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The center should still be soft.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Cotton Candy Cookies

• Chill the Dough: If you find the dough to be too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before scooping and baking. This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
• Add More Sprinkles: For extra color and crunch, sprinkle some more cotton candy sprinkles on top of the cookies right before baking.
• Don’t Overbake: These cookies are soft and chewy, so be sure to take them out of the oven while the center is still soft to ensure they stay tender.

How to Serve

Cotton Candy Cookies are perfect on their own as a fun, colorful snack or dessert. They also pair wonderfully with a glass of milk or a fun party drink. Serve them at birthday parties, sleepovers, or casual gatherings, and they will be the star of the show. They’re also a great treat to make with kids, who will enjoy both the baking process and the whimsical result.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. These cookies stay soft and chewy, making them perfect for snacking throughout the week.

Freezing

For long-term storage, you can freeze the dough. Scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze for 1-2 hours. Once firm, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls directly on the baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, microwave them for 10-15 seconds for a quick, soft treat, or heat in the oven for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) for a fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different extract instead of cotton candy extract?

Yes! You can substitute the cotton candy extract with other flavorings like bubblegum, vanilla, or even strawberry for a different twist.

2. Can I make these cookies without food coloring?

Yes, the food coloring is optional. The cookies will still be delicious and colorful thanks to the sprinkles.

3. How do I make the cookies soft and chewy?

To ensure the cookies are soft and chewy, don’t overbake them. Take them out of the oven when the edges are golden but the center is still soft.

4. Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them, and bake them later when you’re ready for fresh cookies.

5. Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Yes, a hand mixer works perfectly fine for this recipe.

6. How long do these cookies stay fresh?

The cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container.

7. Can I use regular sprinkles instead of cotton candy sprinkles?

Yes, you can use any type of sprinkles or nonpareils you like.

8. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Yes, margarine can be used as a substitute for butter, but the cookies may have a slightly different texture and flavor.

9. What should I do if the dough is too sticky to handle?

If the dough is too sticky, refrigerate it for 30 minutes to firm it up before scooping and baking.

10. Can I add other mix-ins to the cookies?

Absolutely! You can add chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, or other candy bits to make these cookies even more indulgent.

Conclusion

Cotton Candy Cookies are a whimsical and delicious treat that will bring a smile to anyone who tries them. With their vibrant colors, soft texture, and sweet cotton candy flavor, these cookies are perfect for parties, special occasions, or just as a fun dessert for the whole family. Whether you make them with or without food coloring, these cookies are sure to be a hit.

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