Gourmet Lavender Cotton Candy with Dark Chocolate Swirls
Gourmet Lavender Cotton Candy with Dark Chocolate Swirls
Ingredients
For the Cotton Candy
- 2 cups granulated sugar, or 8 ounces of pre-made cotton candy floss sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fruit juice, concentrated, such as raspberry or cherry, for color and subtle flavor, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon lavender essence, optional
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate, finely chopped, for melting
- 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 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon concentrated fruit juice, and 1/4 teaspoon lavender essence. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or your fingers until the color and flavor are evenly distributed. Crucially, if the sugar becomes clumpy or damp, spread it thinly on a baking sheet and let it air dry for at least 1-2 hours (or longer) until completely dry and granular. Break up any clumps before proceeding. 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
While the cotton candy is being made or after it's collected, melt the 1/4 cup of finely chopped dark chocolate. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 15-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler over simmering water.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Once the cotton candy is on the cone and still warm and slightly sticky, drizzle the melted dark chocolate over the surface in a swirling motion to create an elegant design.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Once you have a desired amount of cotton candy on your cone, remove it from the machine. Repeat steps 4, 5, and 7 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)
Gourmet Lavender Cotton Candy with Dark Chocolate Swirls
Ingredients
For the Cotton Candy
- 2 cups granulated sugar, or 8 ounces of pre-made cotton candy floss sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fruit juice, concentrated, such as raspberry or cherry, for color and subtle flavor, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon lavender essence, optional
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate, finely chopped, for melting
- 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 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon concentrated fruit juice, and 1/4 teaspoon lavender essence. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or your fingers until the color and flavor are evenly distributed. Crucially, if the sugar becomes clumpy or damp, spread it thinly on a baking sheet and let it air dry for at least 1-2 hours (or longer) until completely dry and granular. Break up any clumps before proceeding. 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
While the cotton candy is being made or after it's collected, melt the 1/4 cup of finely chopped dark chocolate. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 15-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler over simmering water.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Once the cotton candy is on the cone and still warm and slightly sticky, drizzle the melted dark chocolate over the surface in a swirling motion to create an elegant design.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Once you have a desired amount of cotton candy on your cone, remove it from the machine. Repeat steps 4, 5, and 7 for the remaining servings, adding more sugar as needed. Turn off the machine and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
⏱️ 2 min