1. Can I make this ice cream without food coloring?

Absolutely! The pink and blue swirls make it look like classic cotton candy, but they don’t affect the taste. If you prefer a natural look, just skip the food coloring—the ice cream will still taste amazing.

2. What’s the best way to get an intense cotton candy flavor?

Using a high-quality cotton candy flavoring is key! Some brands have a stronger taste than others, so you may need to adjust the amount. Start with 1 teaspoon , then taste the mixture before freezing. If you want more flavor, add a little extra!

3. How do I make this ice cream less sweet?

Cotton candy is naturally sweet, but you can tone it down by: Using unsweetened whipped cream instead of sweetened. Reducing the sweetened condensed milk slightly and replacing it with heavy cream . Adding a tiny pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.

4. Can I use real cotton candy in this recipe?

You can, but it dissolves fast! If you want to add it for extra texture, sprinkle small pieces on top right before serving . Adding it into the ice cream base before freezing will cause it to disappear.

Cotton Candy Ice Cream – The Best 5-Ingredient Recipe

Description

This cotton candy ice cream recipe is a fun and easy way to bring the flavors of a carnival into your home! No ice cream maker is needed, and it takes just five ingredients to create a creamy, colorful treat that kids and adults will love.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp cotton candy flavoring
Pink and blue gel food coloring
1 pinch salt

Instructions

In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream using a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
In another bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk, cotton candy flavoring, and salt until well combined.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture.
Divide into two bowls and add pink food coloring to one and blue to the other, stirring each gently.
Spoon alternating scoops of the pink and blue mixtures into a freezer-safe container. Swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
Cover and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Let sit for a few minutes before scooping, then enjoy!

Notes

For a deeper cotton candy flavor, add an extra ½ teaspoon of flavoring.
To avoid icy texture, make sure the cream is well-whipped before folding.
Store in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed against the surface to prevent freezer burn.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert

Nutrition

Serving Size: ½ cup
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 20g
Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 3g

Keywords: cotton candy ice cream, homemade cotton candy ice cream, no-churn cotton candy ice cream, DIY cotton candy ice cream