Description
Cotton Candy Cookies are a whimsical and delightful treat that captures the fun and sweet flavor of cotton candy in a soft, colorful cookie. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or whenever you crave a nostalgic and playful baked good, these cookies feature a gentle swirl of pink and blue dough colored with food coloring and enhanced with cotton candy flavoring. They bake up tender with golden edges and a slightly soft center, ideal for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (312g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226g), softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring (available in candy supply stores)
Coloring and Decoration
- 2-3 drops pink food coloring
- 2-3 drops blue food coloring
- Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation into the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. This step aerates the dough and creates a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Flavors: Beat in the large egg, followed by the vanilla extract and cotton candy flavoring. Continue mixing until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the previously whisked dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Divide and Color Dough: Split the cookie dough into two equal portions. Add 2 to 3 drops of pink food coloring to one half and 2 to 3 drops of blue food coloring to the other half. Mix gently to evenly distribute the colors without overworking the dough.
- Form Cookies: Take spoonfuls of the colored dough and form them into balls. For a fun marbled effect, gently swirl together small amounts of pink and blue dough on the baking sheet before placing the balls down.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges turn golden and the centers remain slightly soft for perfect chewiness.
- Cool and Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, sprinkle with colorful sprinkles to enhance their playful appearance before serving.
Notes
- For the best texture, do not overmix the dough once the flour is added.
- If cotton candy flavoring is unavailable locally, consider using a light vanilla or fruit-flavored extract as a substitute, though it will alter the flavor slightly.
- Mixing the pink and blue dough gently will create a lovely marbled pattern for an attractive presentation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain softness.
- These cookies freeze well; wrap tightly and thaw before serving.
