Cotton Candy Syrup

Oct 9, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Pantry Sauces syrups glazes Vanilla: Extract Easy

A small glass bottle of cotton candy syrup with a pour spout, beside an iced latte sweetened with it

Pink cotton candy dissolved into a light simple syrup with vanilla: the fairground flavor and a soft pink color for milkshakes, lemonade and Italian sodas.

Prep 5 min

Cook 6 min

Total 11 min

Servings 10

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free, Vegan

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

1.0 cup (240.0 ml)water
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 oz (57.0 g)pink cotton candy (about 4 loosely packed cups)
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Remove from the heat and add the cotton candy a handful at a time, stirring until each handful dissolves.
Return to low heat for 2 minutes, stirring, until completely smooth.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Cool, pour into a clean bottle and refrigerate.

Tips

The cotton candy gives the syrup its color, so pick pink or blue to match your drink.
Keep a little cotton candy for garnish; it melts on contact, so add it just before serving.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make cotton candy syrup?

Plan on 5 minutes of prep and 6 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes about 1 1/4 cups (10 servings).

How should I store cotton candy syrup?

Refrigerate in a clean, airtight bottle for up to 3 weeks. Shake before using; discard if it turns cloudy or smells fermented.

Can I make cotton candy syrup ahead?

Make it up to 3 weeks ahead.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

Pink cotton candy dissolved into a light simple syrup with vanilla: the fairground flavor and a soft pink color for milkshakes, lemonade and Italian sodas.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 10 servings this recipe makes.

62 Calories / serving

0.0g Fat

15.8g Carbs

0.0g Protein

15.8g Sugar

Whole recipe (10 servings): ~620 cal · 0g fat · 158g carbs · 0g protein · 158g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.