Cotton Candy Fudgern

close up shot of a pile of of Cotton Candy Fudge on a plate

This tasty cotton candy fudge is such a fun recipe and adds a little whimsy to a pink and purple themed party.

Table of Contents

Cotton Candy Fudge Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Cotton Candy Fudge Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
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This tantalizing cotton candy fudge will help you get in touch with your inner unicorn. This pink and purple confection is creamy and colorful, tastes like cotton candy, and is easy to make for a sweet treat.

close up shot of stacks of Cotton Candy Fudge

Cotton Candy Fudge Ingredients

Cotton Candy Fudge raw ingredients that are labeled

This cotton candy fudge is sweet and nostalgic, reminiscent of the classic fairground treat.

It combines creamy white chocolate chips with condensed milk for a rich, gooey texture, while cotton candy flavoring provides an authentic cotton candy essence.

Pink and purple gel food colorings not only make it visually appealing but also capture the whimsy of the carnival.

You’ll need:

2 (11-ounce) bags of white chocolate chips
1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
¼ cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons of cotton candy flavoring, divided in half
½ to ¾ teaspoon of pink gel food coloring (I used Americolor brand Pale Peony #183)
½ to ¾ teaspoon of purple gel food coloring (I used Americolor brand Lilac #169)

PRO TIP:

I do not suggest using lower quality or generic brand white chocolate chips for this great recipe. The higher quality brands such as Ghirardelli, Nestle Tollhouse, and Guittard melt so much better and are much easier to work with.

White chocolate can be much more temperamental to work with and melt than milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips are.

Substitutions And Additions

FOOD COLORING: We recommend using gel-based food coloring when making this fudge.

They are typically much more concentrated in, so a little bit goes a long way. Start with just a drop or so if you want pale colors, and add more to get deeper colors.

A few good brands are Wilton, Americolor, and Chefmaster. These can all be found easily online or at big-box retailers.

Remember that different brands will offer different hues of colors; for example, one brand’s pink will be different from another brand’s pink.

A reminder that when using water-based food coloring for candy or fudge, adding additional liquid can cause the chocolate to seize up and can ruin your entire batch.

This is why using the gel-based varieties works best.

COTTON CANDY EXTRACT: I used the LorAnn Oils brand flavoring for this easy fudge recipe. They can be found in the same places as the gel food colors.

They come in many flavors that are not typically found at your local grocery store. They are easy to use but highly concentrated.

If you are unsure of the amounts, start with a half teaspoon and work your way up to the strength of flavor you desire.

How To Make This Cotton Candy Fudge Recipe

Let’s have a look at the easy step-by-step instructions for making this creamy fudge.

STEP ONE: Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper.

Make sure that you leave enough parchment paper overhanging the sides so that you can easily pull the whole thing out of the pan once chilled. Set aside.

STEP TWO: In a medium saucepan on medium heat, melt together the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and unsalted butter for 6 to 7 minutes.

Make sure to stir often so that your chocolate does not burn or seize up. You want a nice smooth mixture.

white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter in a saucepan

STEP THREE: In two medium-sized bowls – one for each color, add half of the melted chocolate mixture.

melted chocolate mixture divided into two bowls

STEP FOUR: To the first mixing bowl, add one teaspoon of cotton candy flavoring and drops of pink food coloring. Stir until all the white chocolate has turned pink.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Depending on your brand and shade of pink, you may need to add more or less food coloring to get your desired shade of pink or purple. The brand I used required a heaping ½ teaspoon, but you may want to start with ⅛ teaspoon and work your way up to your desired shade.

cotton candy flavoring and pink food coloring added to the white chocolate mixture

STEP FIVE: To the second bowl, add the remaining one teaspoon of cotton candy flavoring and drops of the purple food color to the other half of the mixture.

Stir until all the white chocolate has turned purple.

PRO TIP:

You will need to work very fast when adding your food colors and creating your design with this cotton candy fudge recipe. As the fudge mixture cools, it will start to firm up quickly.

If you need to loosen it up a little, you can warm it in the microwave for 30 seconds or so. Stir it well so that you do not have any hot spots. Do not overheat it in the microwave, or it can burn very easily.

cotton candy flavoring and purple food coloring added to the white chocolate mixture

STEP SIX: Using a large spoon for each color, drop large spoonfuls of each color randomly into your prepared pan until all the fudge has been added to the pan.

white chocolate mixture placed into a parchment lined pan

STEP SEVEN: Make swirls in the fudge with a butter knife or small offset spatula to create a pretty design.

swirls made into the white chocolate mixtures

STEP EIGHT: Place an additional piece of parchment paper over the entire top surface of the fudge and gently press to smooth the top of the fudge.

Do not remove the top piece of parchment paper until the cotton candy fudge has completely set, or you may mess up the swirl design created in this sweet treat.

parchment paper placed on top of the white chocolate mixtures in the pan

STEP NINE: Chill the cotton candy fudge in the refrigerator for two hours or on the counter at room temperature for four hours. Slice into 2-inch squares and serve.

Cotton Candy Fudge after being chilled in a pan

How To Serve

Indulge your sweet tooth by simply cutting the fudge into bite-sized squares.

These colorful, cotton candy-flavored morsels are perfect for snacking on their own or sharing with friends at parties.

Make this creamy unicorn fudge for a birthday party for a special little one.

The colors will delight the guests, and the sweet cotton candy flavor will bring memories of a summer carnival or fun fair.

Add this creamsicle fudge and strawberry shortcake fudge for two more brightly colored fudge recipes.

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Storage

Proper storage can make a big difference in preserving its flavor and texture.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead for a special occasion or just want to get a head start on your dessert prep, you can make cotton candy fudge ahead of time.

Simply follow the recipe as directed and allow the fudge to cool completely. Once it has set, cut it into squares or your desired serving size.

Store the fudge in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. It can be stored at room temperature for up to two to three days.

IN THE FRIDGE: You can store this delicious recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

IN THE FREEZER: The fudge can also be frozen for up to a month.

Make sure to wrap the fudge tightly in plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil before freezing to ensure no moisture gets to the fudge.

Why We Love This Recipe

WHIMSICAL: This fudge captures the essence of cotton candy, bringing back cherished memories of fun-filled carnival days.

EASY TO MAKE: With step-by-step instructions and readily available ingredients, this recipe is beginner-friendly for novice cooks looking to create a delicious dessert.

VISUAL APPEAL: The vibrant pink and purple colors make this fudge not only delicious but also visually captivating. It adds a pop of color to dessert tables and can be a delightful centerpiece at gatherings.

overhead shot of a bunch of cotton candy fudge

This perfect treat is packed with serious sweetness and tastes just like candy floss in fudge form. The bright colors of the pieces of cotton candy fudge will brighten up any dessert tray you add it to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find cotton candy flavoring?

If you are having trouble finding cotton candy flavoring for this homemade fudge recipe, try online, bulk food stores, or craft stores, as they tend to have a larger variety of extract flavors.

How do I store this fudge?

The best way to store this easy recipe is in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months.

How do I slice through chilled fudge easily?

An easy way to slice this easy treat, dip a large sharp flat knife in boiling water, dry it completely, and cut one long slice (the heat will help the blade to glide through).

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