Ready to add some serious sparkle and color to your cookie game? These Glow-in-the-Dark Cotton Candy Cookies are as whimsical as they sound—soft, chewy sugar cookies with a blast of cotton candy flavor, swirled with neon colors, and finished with a glow-up thanks to edible glow-in-the-dark sugar. Yep, they actually glow under blacklight. How cool is that?!
Perfect for birthday parties, sleepovers, glow parties, or just unleashing your inner unicorn baker, these cookies are sweet, colorful, and unapologetically fun. They’ve got that nostalgic cotton candy flavor, the pillowy texture of a good sugar cookie, and a visual vibe that screams “eat me now!”.
Trust me—these are the kind of cookies that bring out the kid in everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, colorful, and totally party-ready
- Fun cotton candy flavor with a soft sugar cookie base
- Easy to customize with your favorite neon food coloring
- Glow-in-the-dark sugar takes these to the next level
- Perfect for themed parties, Halloween, or just a fun baking day!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cotton candy extract
Flavor & Color
- 3 tablespoons cotton candy-flavored gelatin powder
- Neon food coloring (pink, blue, purple, green)
Fun Garnishes
- ½ cup cotton candy, torn into small pieces (for garnish)
- ¼ cup edible glow-in-the-dark sugar (optional but magical)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Stuff
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavor
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and cotton candy extract. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Add the Gelatin Powder
Mix in the cotton candy-flavored gelatin powder until fully incorporated. This adds color and flavor!
Step 6: Combine Dry and Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
Step 7: Divide and Color
Divide the dough into 3 or 4 portions. Tint each with a different neon food coloring and mix until fully colored.
Step 8: Swirl and Scoop
Take small bits of each colored dough and swirl them together by hand to form a multicolored ball. Don’t over-mix—you want those gorgeous color streaks. Roll into 1½-inch balls and place on your baking sheet.
Step 9: Add the Glow
Lightly press the edible glow-in-the-dark sugar onto the tops of each dough ball for a twinkly finish.
Step 10: Bake and Cool
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 11: Garnish with Cotton Candy
Once completely cool, gently press a tuft of cotton candy on top of each cookie right before serving. (Add this step last—cotton candy melts with moisture.)
Tips for the Most Magical Cookies
- Don’t overbake! These are best soft and chewy in the middle.
- Add the cotton candy garnish just before serving to keep it fluffy.
- Use a blacklight at your party to show off the glow-in-the-dark sugar!
- Make them mini for bite-sized fun or jumbo for a dramatic treat.
FAQs
Where do I find glow-in-the-dark edible sugar?
Look for edible luster dust or UV-reactive sugar at baking supply stores or online. Just make sure it’s labeled food-safe!
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! You can roll and freeze the dough balls (without sugar coating) for up to 2 months. Just bake straight from frozen—add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
What if I can’t find cotton candy extract?
You can skip it and rely on the gelatin for flavor, or sub in a drop of vanilla or raspberry extract for a fruity twist.
Conclusion
These Glow-in-the-Dark Cotton Candy Cookies are pure joy in cookie form—bright, sweet, soft, and just a little magical. Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash, hosting a glow party, or just want to bring some sparkle to your kitchen, these cookies deliver.
Print
Glow-in-the-Dark Cotton Candy Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Glow-in-the-Dark Cotton Candy Cookies are whimsical, sweet treats with a playful twist! Bursting with nostalgic cotton candy flavor and glowing edible sugar, these soft sugar cookies are a showstopper at glow parties, kids’ birthdays, or fun night bakes.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cotton candy extract
- 3 tablespoons cotton candy-flavored gelatin powder
- Neon food coloring (pink, blue, purple, green)
- 1/2 cup cotton candy, torn into small pieces (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup edible glow-in-the-dark sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and cotton candy extract until fully combined.
- Mix in the cotton candy gelatin powder until evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide dough into portions and tint each with a different neon food coloring. Lightly swirl together for a marbled look, or keep separate for color blocks.
- Roll dough into 1.5-inch balls and lightly flatten. Roll tops in edible glow sugar if using.
- Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Remove from oven and immediately press small pieces of cotton candy into the tops of warm cookies. Cool completely on wire racks before serving.
Notes
- To preserve the glow effect, avoid baking the glow-in-the-dark sugar—apply it after baking if needed.
- Add cotton candy just after baking to prevent melting; do not add before baking.
- For best glow effect, serve under blacklight at parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg