Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches Recipe

Get ready for a treat that’s as adorable and whimsical as it is delicious! These Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches bring together pillowy-soft, pastel sugar cookies and a dreamy, cotton candy-flavored buttercream frosting for a dessert that will instantly transport you straight to the county fair. Each bite is melt-in-your-mouth magic, bursting with nostalgia and color—a true celebration for birthdays, baby showers, or anytime you’re craving something sweetly memorable.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be delighted at how a handful of classic baking staples—paired with a couple of playful surprises—transform into something so magical. Each ingredient, from the creamy butter to the splash of cotton candy flavoring, works together to create cookies that are as light as clouds, and a buttercream that’s practically a frosting daydream.

• Granulated sugar: Sweetens and tenderizes the cookies, giving them a soft bite.
• Unsalted butter (room temperature): For rich, creamy flavor and the perfect cookie crumb.
• Buttermilk: Adds a subtle tang and keeps the cookies wonderfully moist and tender.
• Egg: Binds everything together and contributes a little lift.
• Cotton candy flavoring: The secret to that authentic festive taste—JRC Liquid Cotton Candy or another cotton candy extract both work wonders.
• All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure and perfect texture.
• Baking soda & baking powder: These work together for just the right amount of rise and softness.
• Salt: Just a tiny amount heightens all the sweet flavors so nothing tastes flat.
• Soft pink & sky blue gel food coloring: Only a drop or two is needed for those dreamy, pastel hues—don’t use liquid coloring or your dough may be too soft.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Blends smoothly into the buttercream for a cloud-like, fluffy filling.

Variations

The best thing about these Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches? They’re super easy to customize! Don’t be afraid to play with colors, flavors, or dietary swaps—making it your own is part of the magic.

• Classic Vanilla: Swap out the cotton candy flavoring for pure vanilla extract if you want a nostalgic, old-fashioned sugar cookie twist.
• Gluten-Free Switch: Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these dreamy sandwiches celiac- and allergy-friendly.
• Dazzling Sprinkles: Roll the cookie edges in pastel nonpareils for a festive, celebratory burst of crunch and color.
• Lemon or Berry Twist: Add a few drops of natural berry or lemon extract with the cotton candy flavoring for a grown-up, fruity upgrade.

How to Make Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches

Step 1: Cream Butter & Sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the granulated sugar and softened unsalted butter for 2–3 minutes. You’re looking for a fluffy, pale mixture that signals loads of air whipped into the batter—this is key for that signature pillowy texture!

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients & Flavor

In a separate bowl, whisk together your buttermilk, one egg, and that magical cotton candy flavoring. With the mixer on low, pour this blend slowly into your creamed mixture so it incorporates gently without curdling. Scrape down the bowl and give it one last blend—don’t skip this extra mix, it ensures every bite tastes like a cloud!

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix on the lowest speed until the dough just pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough feels a bit dry, add an extra teaspoon of buttermilk at a time until it’s creamy and scoopable but not sticky—perfect for swirling colors soon!

Step 4: Color and Swirl the Dough

Divide the dough into two bowls. Tint one half with a drop of soft pink gel food coloring; the other half with sky blue gel. Mix by hand in each bowl until the color is mostly uniform. Next, gently swirl both colors together in one bowl—just a few turns with a spatula is all it takes. Too much mixing and you’ll lose those beautiful cotton candy streaks!

Step 5: Scoop, Bake & Cool

With a 1-1/2 inch scoop, drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Flatten each gently with your palm to about 2-1/2 inches wide—for extra even baking. Bake for 6–10 minutes (check at 6, but don’t worry if you need up to 10!) until the edges barely begin to brown. Cool cookies on the sheet for just 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—trust me, the waiting is worth it!

Step 6: Make the Cotton Candy Buttercream

In a stand mixer, beat one cup of butter on medium-high for about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add in the confectioners’ sugar. Once combined, ramp up the speed and whip until the frosting is ultra-light and fluffy—then mix in more cotton candy flavoring. Divide this dreamy frosting into two bowls, tinting one pink and the other blue. Mix gently until each color is lovely and vibrant.

Step 7: Assemble the Cookie Sandwiches

Spoon alternating dollops of pink and blue buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip (I love the No. 8B for this). Pipe a swirl of frosting onto the flat side of half your cooled cookies, leaving a bit of cookie showing around the edge. Top with another cookie and give a gentle press—the filling will spill to the sides in the prettiest way!

Step 8: Chill and Enjoy

Slide your finished Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches into the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up the buttercream. This makes serving and handling a total breeze—plus, the flavors meld for that signature melt-in-your-mouth effect. Serve straight from the fridge or at room temp for the ultimate nostalgic bite!

How to Serve Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches

Garnishes

Add a sprinkle of edible glitter or tiny pastel sprinkles around the edge of each sandwich for an extra magical finish! You can even add a small tuft of real cotton candy to the serving plate for showstopping flair—but only right before serving, so it stays fluffy and doesn’t melt.

Side Dishes

Keep the fun going with a pastel fruit salad or a fizzy berry lemonade. These Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches are stars of the show but pair beautifully with light, fruity sides especially at parties—or offer a bowl of bright sorbet to keep things festive and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the sandwiches in a tall glass jar, stack them high on a tiered cake stand, or serve on a platter lined with pink and blue tissue to highlight their playful colors. For birthdays, wrap each in a cellophane baggie and tie with pastel ribbon for a grab-and-go party favor nobody will forget!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once assembled, store your Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cookies stay soft and the buttercream holds its shape—just let them sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving so the flavors really pop!

Freezing

You can freeze the cookies (unfilled) in a zip-top bag for up to a month. The buttercream can also be made ahead and frozen separately—just thaw it in the fridge, then re-whip before assembling the sandwiches so it’s light and fluffy once again.

Reheating

If eating from the fridge, you don’t need to reheat—just bring the sandwiches up to room temperature for that perfectly soft, fluffy texture. If your cookies were frozen, let them thaw, then pipe on fresh buttercream and serve for that just-baked taste.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to taste these Cotton Candy Cookie Sandwiches—they’re pure joy in dessert form. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or just want to dazzle your loved ones, these colorful treats are guaranteed to bring smiles and happy hearts to your table. Give them a try, and don’t forget to share the sweetness!

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