Sweet, crunchy, and full of cotton candy flavor—these cookies taste like a trip to the carnival in every bite.

These Cotton Candy Crunch Cookies are pure fun. They’ve got that sweet cotton candy flavor, a soft cake mix cookie base, and a little crunch on top to keep things interesting. The Cotton Candy Crunch melts just enough in the oven for a perfect crispy-chewy bite, and the flavor is spot on—sweet, light, and just like the real thing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and chewy texture with just the right amount of crunch.
• Tastes exactly like classic cotton candy.
• Made with cake mix for a quick and easy shortcut.
• Perfect for parties, birthdays, or anytime you want a fun treat.
• No mixer needed—just one bowl and a spoon.
• That cotton candy crunch topping is ridiculously good.

Ingredient Notes

• White Cake Mix – Any standard 15.25 oz box works great. It keeps the cookies soft and adds a sweet, neutral base for the cotton candy flavor to shine.
• Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix – Adds extra moisture and gives the cookies that soft, bakery-style texture. Make sure it’s the instant kind, not cook-and-serve.
• Cotton Candy Flavoring – Just a little goes a long way. You can find this online or at specialty baking stores.
• Cotton Candy Crunch – I used this one and loved the texture and flavor. It holds up in the oven and gives each cookie a colorful, candy-coated top.
• Vegetable Oil – Keeps the cookies moist and soft without needing butter.
• Eggs – Help bind everything together and give the cookies structure.

Before You Bake

Do I need to chill the dough?
Only if it feels too sticky to roll. Most of the time, it’s ready to go straight from the bowl.

Can I skip the cotton candy flavoring?
You can, but the cookies won’t have that signature cotton candy taste. It really helps bring the flavor together.

What’s the best way to apply the Cotton Candy Crunch?
Roll just the tops of the dough balls in the crunch before baking. Press gently so it sticks without flattening the cookie.

Cotton Candy Crunch Cookies

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
• ½ cup Cotton Candy Crunch (I used this one) + extra for rolling

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, and cotton candy flavoring until smooth.
3. Fold in the Cotton Candy Crunch.
4. Scoop the dough into 1½-tablespoon portions and roll into balls. Press the tops into extra Cotton Candy Crunch, gently coating. If the dough is sticky, place it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
5. Place the cookie dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake for 9–11 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers are just baked through.
7. Cool completely before serving.

FAQ

Can I use a different flavor of crunch topping?
Yes! Fruity Pebbles, crushed cotton candy lollipops, or freeze-dried fruit make great alternatives.

How do I store these cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The crunch may soften a bit but the cookies stay soft and sweet.

Can I freeze them?
Yes—freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Let them thaw at room temp before serving.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, just cover and chill it for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temp for 10–15 minutes if it’s too firm to scoop.

Sprinkle of Fun

Bake a batch of these Cotton Candy Crunch Cookies and take them to a real drive-in movie for the ultimate throwback treat. Pack them up with some popcorn and your favorite sodas, and let the cookies be the sweet surprise between scenes. They’re fun to share, easy to snack on, and fit right in with the neon lights and car speakers.