Bright, whimsical, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, Cotton Candy Fudge is the ultimate sweet treat for kids and nostalgic adults alike. This colorful creation swirls together pastel pink and purple fudge with true cotton candy flavor.
With just a few simple ingredients and no baking required, it’s perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or anytime you’re craving something fun, creamy, and unapologetically sweet.
Whimsical Essentials for Cotton Candy Fudge
- White chocolate chips – The velvety foundation of the fudge, offering a sweet, smooth texture that sets beautifully.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Adds creamy richness and helps bind the fudge without the need for sugar or stovetop caramelizing.
- Unsalted butter – Enhances the silkiness and deepens the richness of the base.
- Cotton candy flavoring – The star of the show, infusing the fudge with nostalgic carnival sweetness in every bite.
- Pink & purple gel food coloring – Creates the dreamy swirls that make this fudge so visually magical, without altering the texture.
Swirls Made Simple: How to Make Cotton Candy Fudge
Start by gently melting the white chocolate chips, butter, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and creamy. Divide the mixture evenly between two bowls and stir in cotton candy flavoring and gel food coloring to each.
Dollop spoonfuls of each color into a parchment-lined pan, alternating shades to form a swirl pattern. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to create elegant, marbled designs. Press another parchment sheet on top to smooth the surface and preserve the swirls.
Refrigerate for two hours (or let it set at room temp for four), then slice into dreamy squares of soft, sweet fudge.
Tips & Twists for Candy Shop Success
For the best results, use high-quality white chocolate like Ghirardelli or Guittard—these melt more evenly and yield a smoother texture. Avoid water-based food coloring, which can cause the chocolate to seize. Stick with gel-based colors for bold, beautiful hues that won’t affect consistency.
Cotton candy flavoring is highly concentrated, so start small and build to your preferred strength. LorAnn Oils is a reliable brand for this recipe. Don’t hesitate to experiment with other carnival-themed flavors like bubblegum or blue raspberry for playful twists on the original.
Work quickly once you add the coloring—this fudge sets fast. If it starts to firm up, a quick zap in the microwave (just 15–30 seconds) can help loosen it again without scorching the chocolate.
Keep It Sweet: Storing Cotton Candy Fudge
To maintain its rich texture and vibrant colors, store your cotton candy fudge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. For longer storage, wrap the pieces tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to one month.
When ready to enjoy, let frozen fudge come to room temperature before serving for the perfect soft, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Cotton Candy Fudge
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons cotton candy flavoring divided
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ –¾ teaspoon purple gel food coloring Americolor Lilac #169
- 22 oz white chocolate chips preferably Ghirardelli, two 11-oz. bags
- ¼ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- ½ –¾ teaspoon pink gel food coloring Americolor Pale Peony #183
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring excess hangs over the edges for easy removal. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Stir frequently for 6–7 minutes until smooth and fully melted.
- Divide the melted mixture evenly into two separate bowls.
- In the first bowl, stir in 1 teaspoon of the cotton candy flavoring along with the pink gel food coloring. Mix thoroughly until evenly tinted.
- In the second bowl, incorporate the remaining 1 teaspoon of cotton candy flavoring and the purple gel food coloring, blending until uniform in color.
- Spoon alternating dollops of each colored mixture into the prepared pan in a random pattern until all fudge is transferred.
- Swirl the surface using a butter knife or offset spatula to achieve a marbled design.
- Gently press an extra sheet of parchment paper over the top of the fudge to smooth the surface without disturbing the swirls. Keep this parchment in place while the fudge sets.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or allow to set at room temperature for 4 hours. Once firm, lift from the pan, slice, and serve.
Notes
Tips: For best results, use high-quality white chocolate and gel-based food coloring. Avoid foil lining, and be cautious with microwave reheating to prevent scorching.
