Description
This Cotton Candy Ice Cream is a dreamy, pastel-colored frozen treat with the nostalgic taste of the carnival! Made with a creamy vanilla base infused with cotton candy flavoring, this no-churn or churn version is perfect for summer days or anytime you crave a fun, sweet dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cotton candy flavoring
- 2–3 drops pink food coloring (optional)
- 2–3 drops blue food coloring (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Churn Method:
- Prepare the Ice Cream Base: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, sugar, salt, and cotton candy flavoring until sugar dissolves. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla extract.
- Add Color: Divide the mixture into two bowls. Add pink food coloring to one and blue to the other. Stir until combined.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the base into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer instructions (typically 20-25 minutes).
- Layer and Freeze: Pour alternating layers of pink and blue into a freezer-safe container. Swirl slightly with a knife for a marbled effect.
- Freeze: Cover and freeze for 4-6 hours or until firm.
No-Churn Method:
- Whip the Cream: In a large bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Mix with Sweetened Condensed Milk: In another bowl, mix the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, salt, and cotton candy flavoring.
- Add Color: Divide into two bowls, tinting one pink and one blue.
- Combine and Swirl: Gently fold the colored mixtures into the whipped cream, being careful not to deflate. Swirl for a marbled look.
- Freeze: Transfer to a container, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours.
Notes
- Cotton Candy Flavoring: Found in baking aisles or online. Adjust to taste.
- Food Coloring: Optional, but enhances the fun look!
- Extra Add-Ins: Try mixing in mini marshmallows or crushed cotton candy for more texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churned or No-Churn
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Cotton candy ice cream, no-churn ice cream, carnival dessert, homemade ice cream, fun summer treats