Cotton Candy Cinnamon Rolls
Soft cinnamon rolls topped with a swirled pink, purple and blue cotton-candy glaze and pastel sprinkles.
🍽️ Makes 12
Ingredients
| 4 cups (480 g) | all-purpose flour | |
| 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) | instant yeast | |
| ½ cup (120 ml) | warm milk (110°F/43°C) | |
| ⅓ cup (65 g) | granulated sugar | |
| ⅓ cup (75 g) | unsalted butter, softened | |
| 2 | large eggs, room temperature | |
| 1 tsp | 5 ml | salt |
| ½ cup (100 g) | brown sugar | |
| 2 tbsp | 30 ml | granulated sugar (filling) |
| 2 tbsp | 30 ml | ground cinnamon |
| ¼ cup (55 g) | unsalted butter, softened (filling) | |
| 2 cups (240 g) | powdered sugar | |
| 3–4 tbsp | 45–60 ml | milk (adjust for consistency) |
| 1 tsp | 5 ml | vanilla extract |
| — | food coloring gels (pink, purple, blue) | |
| ½ tsp | 2.5 ml | cotton candy flavor extract (optional, for extra effect) |
| — | pastel sprinkles or sanding sugar (for garnish) |
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tsp of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add butter, remaining sugar, eggs, and salt. Mix until combined. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, kneading until the dough is soft, smooth, and slightly tacky. (About 8–10 minutes by hand or 5–6 minutes with a stand mixer.) Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: Mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll out the dough into a rectangle (about 14×18 inches). Spread softened butter evenly, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Shape the Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Cut into 12 even rolls and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown but still soft in the center.
- Make the Cotton Candy Glaze: In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and pourable. Divide into three small bowls and tint each with pink, purple, and blue gel colors. Drizzle and swirl colors over warm rolls to create a cotton candy effect.
- Garnish: Top with pastel sprinkles or sanding sugar for extra sparkle.