Description
Imagine if a sugar cookie and a cloud of cotton candy had a baby. That’s basically what these are! I came up with these for my niece’s carnival-themed birthday party last summer, and now I can’t go to a family gathering without bringing them. They’re buttery sugar cookies infused with that nostalgic cotton candy flavor, topped with a fluffy frosting and little bursts of cotton candy pieces that melt in your mouth. They’re basically childhood in cookie form – but way better because you’re a grown-up now and your baking skills are legit.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (not melted – patience, friend)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature works best)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cotton candy flavoring/extract (find it online or at baking supply stores – worth the hunt!)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: few drops of pink and blue food coloring (gel works best)
For the Cotton Candy Frosting:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ cups powdered sugar (yes, it’s a lot – it’s cotton candy, not broccoli)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- ½ teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
- Pink and blue food coloring (gel preferred)
- Pinch of salt (trust me on this one)
For the Topping:
- 1–2 bags of cotton candy, torn into small pieces
- Pink and blue sprinkles (the sparkly kind if you can find them)
- Edible pearl dust or shimmer, if you’re feeling extra fancy