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Cotton Candy Cookies

Soft, pillowy, and vibrantly pink cookies flavored with nostalgic cotton candy extract and rolled in sparkling sugar for a delightful crinkly finish.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 140
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Wet Ingredients
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 tsp cotton candy flavoring/extract
  • 0.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1-2 drops pink gel food coloring
Dry Ingredients & Coating
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.25 tsp baking soda
  • 0.25 tsp cream of tartar
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar extra, for rolling

Equipment

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place extra 1/3 cup sugar in a small bowl.
  2. Beat softened butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
  3. Add the egg, cotton candy flavoring, and vanilla. Mix well. Add pink gel food coloring until desired shade is reached.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low just until combined.
  6. Scoop dough into 1.5-inch balls and roll them in the reserved granulated sugar until fully coated.
  7. Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart and bake for 10-12 minutes until puffy and crinkled but still soft in the center.
  8. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Be sure to use gel food coloring instead of liquid drops to prevent the dough from becoming too wet or altering the texture.