Soft-baked cookies with a crunch of cotton candy and a sweet swirl of pink and blue frosting.

These Cotton Candy Swirl Cookies are pure carnival fun in cookie form. They start with a vanilla cake mix, get a sweet crunch from cotton candy pieces, and are topped with a pink-and-blue swirled frosting that looks just as magical as it tastes. Bake them for a party, a themed sleepover, or anytime you want something playful and colorful. These Cotton Candy Swirl Cookies bring big color and even bigger flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with a box of vanilla cake mix.
• Bright pink and blue frosting makes them pop.
• Cotton candy crunch adds texture and fun!
• Perfect for birthdays, parties, or themed sleepovers.
• Tastes like a carnival in cookie form.
• Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and totally adorable.
• These Cotton Candy Swirl Cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredient Notes

• Vanilla Cake Mix – Use any 15.25 oz vanilla cake mix as the base. White cake mix works too for a lighter color.
• Cotton Candy Crunch – Adds sweet, airy texture and cotton candy flavor. You can find it here. 
• Cotton Candy Extract – A little goes a long way. Look for it online or in specialty baking stores. It gives the frosting that unmistakable cotton candy taste.
• Food Coloring – Use gel food coloring for bold, vibrant swirls without watering down the frosting. Pink and blue give that signature cotton candy look.
• Heavy Cream – Helps create fluffy, pipeable frosting. Add a little more if needed for consistency.

Before You Bake

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope! These cookies are meant to be quick and easy—just mix, scoop, and bake.

Can I substitute the dried mini cotton candy pieces?
Absolutely not! The dried mini cotton candy bits provide sweet flavor and fun texture—you’ll miss the signature crunch and taste if you swap them.

Will the cookies spread a lot in the oven?
They spread slightly, but not too much. Leave about 2 inches between each dough ball to be safe.

Cotton Candy Swirl Cake Mix Cookies

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Base

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/2 cup Cotton Candy Crunch (like this one)

Cotton Candy Swirl Frosting

• 1 stick salted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp cotton candy extract
• 2–3 tbsp heavy cream
• Pink and blue food coloring

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, eggs, and oil until smooth.
3. Fold in the Cotton Candy Crunch pieces.
4. Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each) and place them 2 inches apart on your baking sheet.
5. Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set. Let cool completely.

To Make the Swirl Frosting

1. Beat the butter until creamy.
2. Mix in the powdered sugar gradually until combined.
3. Add the heavy cream and cotton candy extract; beat until fluffy.
4. Divide the frosting into two bowls. Tint one pink and one blue.
5. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and spread alternating stripes of pink and blue frosting.
6. Roll it up like a log, twist the ends, and snip one end.
7. Place the log into a piping bag fitted with a large open tip.
8. Pipe colorful swirls onto each cookie!

FAQ

How do I store Cotton Candy Swirl Cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes! Freeze unfrosted cookies for best results. Thaw and frost when ready to serve.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just make sure to bake in batches or use multiple baking sheets.

Can I skip the food coloring?
Yes, but you’ll lose the swirl effect. The flavor will still shine without the colors.

What piping tip should I use for the frosting?
A large round or open star tip works best to highlight the swirl. Or keep it casual with a knife for a rustic look.

Sprinkle of Fun

Turn your kitchen into a mini carnival! While the Cotton Candy Swirl Cookies bake and cool, set up a few simple carnival games—ring toss with mason jars, a “duck pond” with floating rubber ducks, or a prize punch board made from a cardboard box and tissue paper. Winner gets the first frosted cookie! It’s a sweet way to make baking feel like a full-blown event.