Description
These Cotton Candy Cookies are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, infused with a whimsical cotton candy extract for a sweet, carnival-inspired flavor. Soft, fluffy, and topped with colorful frosting and crunchy Nerds candy, they’re perfect for parties, celebrations, or any time you want a fun treat that tastes like nostalgia in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp cotton candy extract
- 2â…“ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ tsp baking powder
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 4 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 3 tsp cotton candy extract
- Pink & blue gel food coloring
- Pink & purple Nerds candy for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter, Oil, and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, canola oil, granulated sugar, and confectioners’ sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for tender cookies.
- Add Egg, Cream, and Cotton Candy Extract: Beat in the egg, heavy whipping cream, and cotton candy extract until fully combined, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix into Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, and baking powder. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overdeveloping gluten and tough cookies.
- Scoop and Flatten Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion about 2.2 ounces of cookie dough per ball and place them onto the prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each slightly to encourage even baking and the right cookie shape.
- Bake and Cool Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look just done. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets to set the texture.
- Prepare Frosting and Tint Colors: For the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add confectioners’ sugar, heavy whipping cream, and cotton candy extract. Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint one pink and the other blue using gel food coloring for a colorful effect.
- Decorate Cookies: Once cookies are fully cooled, pipe swirling patterns of the colored frosting on top. Finish by sprinkling pink and purple Nerds candy over the frosting for added crunch and a fun, festive touch.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter and cream to ensure smooth mixing.
- The cotton candy extract is key for authentic flavor – do not substitute with other extracts.
- The cornstarch helps create a softer, tender cookie crumb.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To make the frosting easier to pipe, chill it slightly if it feels too soft.
