Description
Imagine a cookie that tastes just like your favourite carnival treat—soft, chewy, and full of pastel whimsy. These Cotton Candy Cookies combine swirls of pink and blue dough with a fun cotton-candy flavour for a playful, nostalgic treat. Perfect for birthday parties, dessert trays, or any time you want a colourful, fun cookie to bake and share.
Ingredients
Ingredients You’ll Need
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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1 ½ cups granulated sugar
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1 large egg (room temperature)
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1 tsp cotton‑candy flavouring (or vanilla extract + a tiny drop of flavouring)
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3 drops pink gel food‑colouring
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3 drops blue gel food‑colouring
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2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
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½ tsp baking soda
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¼ tsp salt
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Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract (if not using vanilla in flavouring)
Instructions
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Preheat & Prepare
Pre-heat oven to 350 °F (~175 °C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. -
Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. -
Add Egg & Flavour
Mix in the egg and cotton‑candy flavouring (and optional vanilla extract) until smooth. -
Divide & Colour Dough
Split dough into two equal portions. Add pink gel colouring to one portion, blue to the other. Mix each until evenly coloured. -
Swirl Doughs
Gently combine the two coloured doughs in one bowl, swirling lightly to create a marbled effect. Do not over-mix. -
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the dough on low speed until just combined. -
Shape Cookies
Scoop dough using a cookie scoop or tablespoon and roll into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. -
Bake
Bake 10–12 minutes, or until edges are set and tops show slight crackling or browning. Remove from oven, rest 2 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Serve & Store
Serve once cooled. Optionally, dust lightly with powdered sugar for a whimsical touch. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
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Cotton‑candy flavouring is key for that nostalgic carnival taste.
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Swirling technique matters: loosely combine colours to maintain pastel marbled effect. Over-mixing will lose the visual impact.
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Slight under-baking keeps centres soft and chewy.
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Spacing cookies is important so they spread evenly and retain their crackle/swirl pattern.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 160kcal
- Sugar: 13g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 90mg