Classic Cotton Candy with Edible Glitter Swirls
Classic Cotton Candy with Edible Glitter Swirls
Ingredients
For the Cotton Candy
- 2 cups granulated sugar, or 8 ounces of pre-made cotton candy floss sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon food coloring, liquid or gel, optional, if making flavored sugar from plain granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon flavoring extract, optional, such as vanilla, strawberry, or raspberry, if making flavored sugar from plain granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon edible glitter, for swirling
- 4 paper cones, or sticks, for serving
Instructions
- 1
If using plain granulated sugar and desiring color/flavor: In a small bowl, combine the 2 cups of granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of liquid or gel food coloring and 1/4 teaspoon of flavoring extract. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or your fingers until the color and flavor are evenly distributed and the sugar is dry. If the sugar becomes clumpy, spread it on a baking sheet and let it air dry for 30 minutes, then break up any clumps. If using pre-made cotton candy floss sugar, skip this step.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Set up your cotton candy machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure it is on a stable, flat surface and plugged into a power outlet. Make sure the spinning head and bowl are clean and properly assembled.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Turn on the cotton candy machine and allow it to preheat for 5-10 minutes. The machine needs to reach its optimal operating temperature to properly melt and spin the sugar. You'll typically see the heating element glow and hear the motor running smoothly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Once the machine is fully preheated, carefully add 1-2 tablespoons of your prepared flavored sugar (or plain granulated sugar/floss sugar) into the center spinning head. Do not overfill, as this can impede the spinning process.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Within moments, fine strands of cotton candy will begin to emerge from the spinning head. Hold a paper cone or stick horizontally, just above the bowl, and slowly rotate it to catch the wispy sugar strands. Continue rotating and gathering until a fluffy cloud of cotton candy forms on the cone.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
For edible glitter swirls: While the cotton candy is still warm and slightly sticky on the cone, gently sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of edible glitter over the surface, rotating the cone to create a shimmering swirl effect.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Once you have a desired amount of cotton candy on your cone, remove it from the machine. Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 for the remaining servings, adding more sugar as needed. Turn off the machine and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Cotton Candy with Edible Glitter Swirls
Ingredients
For the Cotton Candy
- 2 cups granulated sugar, or 8 ounces of pre-made cotton candy floss sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon food coloring, liquid or gel, optional, if making flavored sugar from plain granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon flavoring extract, optional, such as vanilla, strawberry, or raspberry, if making flavored sugar from plain granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon edible glitter, for swirling
- 4 paper cones, or sticks, for serving
Instructions
- 1
If using plain granulated sugar and desiring color/flavor: In a small bowl, combine the 2 cups of granulated sugar with 1/4 teaspoon of liquid or gel food coloring and 1/4 teaspoon of flavoring extract. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or your fingers until the color and flavor are evenly distributed and the sugar is dry. If the sugar becomes clumpy, spread it on a baking sheet and let it air dry for 30 minutes, then break up any clumps. If using pre-made cotton candy floss sugar, skip this step.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Set up your cotton candy machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure it is on a stable, flat surface and plugged into a power outlet. Make sure the spinning head and bowl are clean and properly assembled.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Turn on the cotton candy machine and allow it to preheat for 5-10 minutes. The machine needs to reach its optimal operating temperature to properly melt and spin the sugar. You'll typically see the heating element glow and hear the motor running smoothly.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Once the machine is fully preheated, carefully add 1-2 tablespoons of your prepared flavored sugar (or plain granulated sugar/floss sugar) into the center spinning head. Do not overfill, as this can impede the spinning process.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Within moments, fine strands of cotton candy will begin to emerge from the spinning head. Hold a paper cone or stick horizontally, just above the bowl, and slowly rotate it to catch the wispy sugar strands. Continue rotating and gathering until a fluffy cloud of cotton candy forms on the cone.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
For edible glitter swirls: While the cotton candy is still warm and slightly sticky on the cone, gently sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of edible glitter over the surface, rotating the cone to create a shimmering swirl effect.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Once you have a desired amount of cotton candy on your cone, remove it from the machine. Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 for the remaining servings, adding more sugar as needed. Turn off the machine and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
⏱️ 2 min