If your kids are anything like mine, they love cotton candy! There’s just something magical about that fluffy sweetness. Now, imagine turning that delightful flavor into a creamy, dreamy treat that you can enjoy at home. This Cotton Candy Ice Cream Recipe is perfect for warm days or any time you want to treat your family. It’s simple to make and fun, plus you’ll love seeing the smiles on your kids’ faces when they scoop into this colorful dessert. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become a go-to summer favorite!
Table of Contents
How to Make Cotton Candy Ice Cream
Let’s dive into how you can make this Cotton Candy Ice Cream right in your own kitchen. Grab your kids and let’s get started—it’s going to be a fun time!
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream (35% cream), chilled
- 1 (10-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (chilled)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cotton candy extract
- Red and blue food coloring
- Sprinkles (optional, but why not?)
Directions
- Prep Your Pan: First, line a baking pan with parchment paper. This will help the ice cream come out smoothly later.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream for about 4 minutes until you see soft peaks. This step is super important—it makes your ice cream light and fluffy!
- Mix It Up: Gently stir in the vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, and cotton candy extract until everything is combined.
- Color It: Divide the mixture into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl to make it pink and blue to the other for a lovely light blue shade.
- Layer It: Pour the pink ice cream into your lined loaf pan. Smooth it out with a spatula. Then, drop spoonfuls of the blue ice cream on top of the pink. Use a spoon to swirl it together gently.
- Cover and Freeze: Place a piece of cling wrap right on top of the ice cream mixture, making sure to cover it well. Then wrap the entire pan in foil and freeze it for at least two hours—or overnight if you can wait that long!
- Scoop and Serve: When it’s time to indulge, scoop out the ice cream, top it with sprinkles if you’d like, and watch the excitement on your kids’ faces!
How to Serve Cotton Candy Ice Cream
Serving this Cotton Candy Ice Cream is just as fun as making it! Set out colorful bowls and spoons to match the vibrant colors of the ice cream. You can let your kids sprinkle their favorite toppings on top or serve it plain for that pure cotton candy experience. It’s perfect for a backyard party or just a sweet treat after dinner.
How to Store Cotton Candy Ice Cream
If you manage to have leftovers (which is a big if around my house!), you can store your Cotton Candy Ice Cream in the freezer. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It’ll keep well for about a week. But I bet it won’t last that long!
Tips to Make Cotton Candy Ice Cream
- Chill Your Ingredients: Having your whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk cold helps create a better texture.
- Experiment with Colors: You can use other colors or even mix in sprinkles before freezing to add some extra fun!
- Customize Your Flavors: If you’re not a fan of cotton candy extract, try using different extracts like bubblegum or strawberry!
Variations
If you feel adventurous, consider adding some small candies or marshmallows to the ice cream mixture before swirling. This gives it a fun crunch and a little surprise with each scoop. You could even drizzle some chocolate or caramel sauce over the top when serving. The possibilities are endless!
You may read as well these recipes :
Everything You Need to Know About Bubble Gum Ice Cream
7 Delightful Reasons to Love Booza Ice Cream Today
2 Deliciously Unique Ways to Enjoy Potato Ice Cream
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of heavy whipping cream?
While you can use regular milk, using heavy whipping cream provides that creamy, smooth texture that makes ice cream so delightful.
What if I can’t find cotton candy extract?
No problem! You can substitute it with another sweet flavor extract, such as bubblegum or vanilla, to get a fun twist.
How do I make it dairy-free?
To make a dairy-free version, use coconut cream or almond milk instead of heavy cream and choose a dairy-free sweetened condensed milk.
This Cotton Candy Ice Cream Recipe is a whimsical, delightful treat that your kids will love making with you. It brings smiles, joy, and a little magic to your kitchen!
Cotton Candy Ice Cream
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream (35% cream), chilled Ensure it’s well chilled for best results.
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (10-ounce), chilled Chill before use.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cotton candy extract Can substitute with bubblegum or strawberry if desired.
- as needed Red and blue food coloring For coloring the ice cream.
- as needed Sprinkles Optional for serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream for about 4 minutes until soft peaks form.
- Gently stir in the vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, and cotton candy extract until fully combined.
- Divide the mixture into two bowls and color one with red food coloring and the other with blue.
- Pour the pink ice cream mixture into the lined loaf pan, then drop spoonfuls of the blue mixture on top and gently swirl together.
- Cover with cling wrap and freeze for at least two hours or overnight.
Serving
- Scoop the ice cream, add sprinkles if desired, and serve in colorful bowls.