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How to Make Cotton Candy in a Machine

Jul 6th 2022 - Monica Cunanan

How to Make Cotton Candy in a Machine

It’s simple to make cotton candy, but exactly how do you make it?

It's a popular carnival confection and you see it at stadiums, concession stands, and amusement parks, and even banquet tables. Every kid, (or adult) with a sweet tooth wants it. How is cotton candy made? It's pretty simple. We're here to help you learn how to use these commercial cotton candy machines easily. Soon, you'll be able to enjoy this delicious treat at any occasion.

How to Make Cotton Candy in a Commercial Cotton Candy Machine

Make sure to read the instructions in your equipment's manual carefully.

Use this diagram as an example:

  • Fill the floss head 90% full of Flossugar. Never overfill the tank, and never add sugar while the motor is running. Follow instructions for power and heat control.
  • Make sure the room temperature isn't too hot, or the cotton candy won't have that light and airy appearance we are looking for.
  • As soon as the unit starts making floss, choose a paper cone. With a light flick of your wrist, roll the cone of floss into the web of floss in the pan. 

  • With the floss wrapped around the cone, lift the cone up and rotate it so that the floss is wrapped around the cone. Don't try to roll it with the cone still inside. It will be too tight and would make your batch of cotton candy look dense.
  • If the floss isn’t sticking to the cone, pass the floss near the spinning head to get a start of melted sugar from it.
  • Then lift it out and wrap the floss around it using a figure-eight motion with your hand.

Steps for Making Cotton Candy With a Cotton Candy Maker

If you're wondering how to make these sweet treats, follow these 8 easy steps. You can use these with premixed floss or a mixture of basic table sugar and floss concentrate that has already been combined. 

  1. Turn on the power switch to let the machine run, then check whether the machine runs normally after running for 1-2 minutes. If the machine shakes vigorously, make sure to adjust the machine so that it is stable and the head runs properly.
  2. Turn on the machine to its highest setting, then wait for it to warm up for about four to five minutes.
  3. Put the floss (cotton candy mix) into the center of your cotton candy machine, which is called the floss head or the spinning head. Don't touch the floss when it's running.
  4. After 30 seconds, the candy floss will start to form. Use a bamboo stick or reusable cones to gather the candyfloss, turning and following its inside. (Make sure the stick being used to gather the candy floss is clean before using it). As the floss begins to come out of the spinning head, reduce the heat.
  5. Once enough fluffy cotton candy gathers, use a cone to twist it out of the machine If you’ve got trouble with this step, use a small amount of hot water on the cone to help the cotton candy stick to it. 

  6. To remove the remaining cotton candy from any type of cotton candy machines, just run the it and let it burn itself out.
  7. After making a batch of delicious cotton candies, turn off and unplug the machine for cleaning. Use a soft damp cloth to wash your machine, rather than using detergent. Make sure the machine is completely dry before plugging it back in.
  8. To make more fresh cotton candy, simply repeat the above steps.

Things You Need:

The process is similar to caramelizing sugar on a skillet. Sugar crystals are poured into the machine‘s spinning head, where the heating elements melt them. The force of the rotating mechanism pushes the sugar against a heating element. So, the sugar is turned into tiny strands, like hard candy. 

  • Formulated Floss Sugar. It’s made up of a larger granulated sugar, which absorbs color and flavor more consistently, making a more consistent fairy floss. Flossugar produces the signature look and flavor customers expect, from traditional Pink Vanilla and Blue Raspberry to more gourmet flavors like Peach Mango and Watermelon.
  • Cotton Candy Cones. You may use disposable cones or biodegradable cones.

Learn more about cotton candy flavors here

How to Make Cotton Candy Without A Machine

Creating cotton candy in large quantities is virtually impossible without a machine designed specifically for doing so. An affordable option that you can do to make your own beautiful cotton candy from scratch is by using threads of spun or pulled sugar if you have some patience, know-how, and a few common household tools.

How to Make Cotton Candy At Home (Hand-Spun Cotton Candy Method)

Step 1: Combine and Melt

Combine 4 cups of sugar, 1 cup of corn syrup, 1 cup of water, and 1/4 tsp salt in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Place the mixture into the saucepan and stir the ingredients together until the sugar is melted. Use a pastry brush to wipe down the sides of the pan to keep sugar crystals from forming.

Step 2: Heat

Clip on a candy/temperature thermometer and heat the sugar syrup to 320°F (about 160°C). Next, pour the hot liquid from the kettle into a shallow and heat-resistant container. Then, add the extracts and food colorings to make different cotton candy colors and mix them well. You can add a few drops of food coloring or extract in this recipe.

Step 3: Spread

Spread the candy thread over the parchment. Make sure that the sugar on parchment paper does not spill over the floor.

Step 4: Spin the sugar

Dip the head of the whisk into the sugar syrup until it becomes coated. Hold it over the container and allow the sugar to fall back into the container for a second. Hold the pan about 30 centimeters above the parchment and swing the sugar strands and forth so that thin strands of sugar begin falling onto the paper. Keep going a few more times until you've got a nice looking nest of candy strands. Don't expect it to look like the candy floss vending machine you're used to. It will be different.

Step 5: Wrap

Wrap the cotton candy around cones or sticks immediately. Make sure to this step properly to avoid brittle candy bits.

Step 6: Serve

You can enjoy this airy treat right away, but you can also store it in an airtight container to keep the moisture away.

Homemade cotton candy using Hand-Pulled Method

Step 1: Combine and Melt

Make sure to combine the ingredients in a medium saucepan using medium-high heat. Place 4 1/3 cups of leftover sugar, 2 cups of water, 1 tsp. of vinegar, 1/2 cup of corn syrup (liquid sugar), and 1 drop of food coloring and candy flavoring in the pan. Stir them together very gently so you don't end up forming any sugar crystals on the side of the pan.

Step 2: Boil

Boil the mixture and use a candy thermometer. When it reaches 268°F (131°C), remove it from the heat and allow it to cool until it gets down to 212°F (100°C).

Step 3: Use Candy Molds

Divide the candy evenly into four 1-quart plastic containers or candy molds. Once it has reached room temperature, remove it from its container. To do this, squeeze it gently while you carefully twist the container.

Step 4: Use Cornstarch

Sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch on a baking sheet. The baking sheet should have sides.

Step 5: Prepare Candy for Pulling

Cut a hole in the middle of the candy. Use your thumb and index finger to burrow a hole through the middle of the candy. Next, use pressure to make your circle larger, while the candy stays the same thickness around the string you've made. Once the rope is sufficiently long, twist it into a double-figure eight and bring both ends together.

Step 6: Pull Candy

Hold the candy in your hands. With your front hand, keep it stable while your back hand gently pulls back. Keep rotating your hands around the candy until the candy strands are nice. Keep pulling the candy until you feel like you've pulled it enough times. You should end up with sugar thread consistency.

Step 7: Serve

Enjoy this delicious pulled candy while it's in good shape. You can make custom cotton candy flavors such as bubble gum and Piña Colada. You can also experiment when it comes to the arrangement of cotton candy to appease your customers.

Thinking of getting a Cotton Candy Machine? 

Here at Culinary Depot, we carry different types of cotton candy makers perfect for any occasion. Contact us or visit our online store for more information.