Cotton Candy Cookies (Print Version)
Soft pastel cookies with cotton candy flavor, swirled in pink and blue for a whimsical party treat.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
08 - 1 large egg
09 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 - 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring (or to taste)
→ Color & Finish
11 - Pink and blue gel food coloring
12 - 1/4 cup colored sprinkles (optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and cotton candy flavoring until well combined and smooth.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Add pink gel food coloring to one bowl and blue gel food coloring to the other. Fold gently until soft pastel shades are achieved.
07 - Pinch off a small piece of dough from each colored bowl and gently press them together to form a swirled ball. Place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Optionally, roll each dough ball in colored sprinkles before placing on the sheet.
08 - Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers appear slightly underbaked. Remove from the oven promptly to maintain a soft texture.
09 - Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cookies taste exactly like childhood summer evenings and fairground memories
- The dough comes together in under twenty minutes and bakes up soft with slightly crisp edges
- They are guaranteed to make both kids and adults smile at first sight
02 -
- Gel food coloring is essential here because liquid coloring will throw off your dough consistency
- The cotton candy flavoring is surprisingly potent so taste your dough before adding more than one teaspoon
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients are non negotiable for properly creamed butter and the best texture
- Underbaking by just one minute makes all the difference between soft cookies and hard ones