Cotton Candy Squares

This fluffy cotton candy fudge turns basic ingredients into a playful sweet that brings fair day memories right to your home. The pink and blue swirls make a dreamy dessert that looks amazing and tastes even better, just right for sweet tooth moments or wowing friends at gatherings.

I whipped up this cotton candy fudge for my niece's birthday bash, and the excited yells from kids told me this treat had to stay in my regular sweet lineup. The grown-ups loved it too, with many asking me how to make it before they even left the party.

Ingredients

• White almond bark: Makes the smooth foundation for our fudge, melting like a dream and hardening with just the right bite
• Sweetened condensed milk: Gives that signature fudge feel and adds rich sweetness that works with the candy flavor
• Cotton candy flavoring: Turns ordinary stuff into carnival magic, check the baking section or craft food shops
• Light blue and pink food coloring gel: Adds bright pops of color without making the mix runny, always pick gel over liquid for this treat

Step-by-Step Instructions

Set Up Your Base:

Cover an 8x8 inch pan with foil or parchment for easy lifting later. Put white almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl and warm it in 30-second bursts, mixing well between each until it's totally smooth. This slow heating keeps it from burning and makes your fudge silky smooth.

Mix In Key Flavors:

Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and cotton candy flavoring until everything looks the same throughout. The milk makes the fudge wonderfully thick while the flavoring works its carnival magic. Don't rush this part, make sure it's all mixed well.

Split and Color:

Pour half the fudge mix into one bowl and half into another. Drop a tiny bit of blue coloring in one bowl and pink in the other, then stir each until you see bright, fun colors. Go easy at first with the gel since a small amount does the job. You want happy, bright colors that remind you of cotton candy stands.

Layer Your Colors:

Drop spoons of pink and blue fudge into your waiting pan, making a random checkerboard across the whole thing. Try to keep the colors close but not fully mixed so they can swirl nicely in the next step for that perfect marble look.

Swirl Everything:

Take a toothpick or knife tip and lightly drag it through the fudge making figure eights or wavy lines. The trick here is just enough swirling to make pretty patterns without mixing the colors into a muddy mess. Remember, less swirling often works better.

Cool and Cut:

Put your fudge in the fridge for at least 2 hours until it's completely firm. Once it's set, pull the foil or parchment out of the pan, put it on a cutting board, and slice into squares any size you want. Clean cuts show off the beautiful swirled pattern in each piece.

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My best memory with this sweet treat was watching my usually serious father-in-law take one bite and break into a big grin, saying it took him right back to summer days at the county fair. It's amazing how food can connect us to our happiest childhood times.

Storage Secrets

How you store this fudge really matters for keeping its lovely texture and taste. Put it in a sealed container with parchment between the layers so pieces don't stick together. Keeping it in the fridge makes it last about two weeks, but you can also freeze it for up to three months. For freezing, wrap each piece in plastic first, then place in a freezer box. Let frozen fudge thaw in your fridge overnight before serving it.

Ingredient Alternatives

Can't find white almond bark? Try good white chocolate chips mixed with 2 teaspoons of veggie oil for almost the same results. If cotton candy flavor isn't your thing, plain vanilla works fine for a more classic taste. The colors are totally up to you too – maybe try purple and yellow for a Mardi Gras theme, or go with red and green when Christmas comes around.

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Tasty Companions

This fun fudge tastes even better with a hot cup of coffee or tea, where the warm drinks balance out the sweetness. When setting up a dessert table, add other fair foods like caramel popcorn or mini funnel cakes. At kids' parties, serve with cold milk in bright cups with paper straws for a setup so cute everyone will want more.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I keep the swirl design sharp?

Use a skewer or toothpick to lightly swirl in the pan. Be gentle and don’t overdo it, or the colors might mix too much.

→ What can replace almond bark?

White chocolate with a small splash of vegetable oil works just as well as almond bark in this recipe.

→ How long does chilling take?

Place the fudge in the fridge for approximately 2 hours until it sets fully.

→ Can I try other color combos?

Of course! While pink and blue give the classic cotton candy vibe, feel free to use other shades for a creative spin.

→ What's the best way to store this fudge?

Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can freeze it if you want it to last longer, up to 3 months.

→ What drinks go best with it?

This fudge pairs beautifully with milk, coffee, or tea. It’s also a delicious addition to a dessert platter with cookies or cakes.