Blue Cotton Candy Ice Cream with Caramel Corn

A pastel blue cotton candy ice cream recipe that tastes just like the real thing! This is the ultimate summer treat and is a great circus themed party idea. Totally no fuss with no stovetop prep required.

Every summer growing up in rural Wisconsin, the county fair was the most important event of the summer.

I was in 4-H for 10 years and the opportunity to showcase all my projects at the fair was a big deal. I participated in everything from cooking demonstrations to sharing a carefully pressed wildflower collection. We lived on a farm and I also showed horses and rabbits. I practiced for hours to get ready.

Don’t believe me? Here I am with showing my Quarter horse, Goldie, holding the grand champion award obviously.

Read on for more and for an amazing cotton candy ice cream recipe!

I’m thinking I need to bring the cowboy hat back.

As an awkward nerd growing up in a small town in Wisconsin, I had a hard time fitting in. 4-H offered a refuge for me where I could hang out with kids with similar interests.

I found an outlet for my love of music in the statewide 4-H choir Showcase Singers. We performed every year at the Wisconsin State Fair. The people in the group became lifelong friends. Having the freedom to explore the fair when we weren’t performing was such a sweet taste of independence at age 15.

Although the awkward pictures of me performing, complete with sequined costume, are buried in a box somewhere, I thought you would enjoy playing a game of “find high school Kelly” in the above photos.

If you’re in the San Francisco bay area, you can make your own fair memories at the San Mateo County Fair June 9-17. They have something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a fun date night idea or family-friendly activities.

Are you an unlimited rides kind of person? Preorder your carnival wristband ahead of time to save $$$. Maybe pick up a bottle of Dramamine while you’re at it? #RollerCoastersMakeMeNauseous

If you’re a foodie, San Mateo County Fair will be your mecca. My plan is to eat everything on their Taste of the Fair menu. On June 14th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, many of the fair vendors will be offering special food items for only $3 each. It’s going to be awesome! I was actually inspired to create this cotton candy ice cream topped with caramel corn after reading the list.

This cotton candy ice cream recipe is inspired by all my favorite fair foods – fresh churned ice cream, caramel corn and pillowy clouds of sugary sweet cotton candy. It’s totally no-fuss and would be great for a circus themed birthday party. It’s sweet but not too sweet and totally brings me back to my childhood days at the county fair.

Why this Recipe Works:

• Minimal prep time. Just mix all the ingredients together and churn! No heating on the stovetop like many ice cream recipes.
• Total nostalgia – with the addition of cotton candy flavoring this tastes just like the real thing.
• What’s not to love about blue ice cream!? Kids (and adults!) will go crazy for this fun color.
• Enjoy as soft serve or traditional ice cream. Serve immediately after churning for the soft serve version.
• Adding caramel corn is fun and festive, plus the combination of salty and sweet is amazing.
• Great recipe for a carnival or circus-themed party.

 

Circus Themed Party Supplies:

Thanks so much for reading! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts and musings from me.

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This post is a collaboration with the San Mateo County Fair. Thank you so much for supporting the sponsors that allow me to keep this blog running!

P.S. – Do I have you craving cotton candy? Pin this recipe for later!