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Cotton Candy Cookies

Soft, pillowy sugar cookies swirled with pastel pink and blue, flavored with cotton candy extract for a nostalgic carnival treat.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar plus extra for rolling
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp cotton candy extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coloring
  • 1 drop pink gel food coloring
  • 1 drop blue gel food coloring

Equipment

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Cream softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy (3-4 mins). Add egg and extracts.
  4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Divide dough into two bowls.
  5. Color one half pink and the other half blue using gel food coloring.
  6. Take small portions of each color, press gently together, and roll into a ball to create a swirl effect.
  7. Roll dough balls in granulated sugar and place on baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 9-11 minutes until puffy and set but not browned. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Notes

Do not overbake or the colors will turn brown. Use gel coloring for vibrant results without changing dough consistency.