Jolly Rancher Cotton Candy

Did you know you can make jolly rancher cotton candy from actual Jolly Ranchers?This is probably one of the coolest and most fun things I've done with Jolly Ranchers. I can't decide if I like these Jolly Rancher marshmallows or the jolly rancher cotton candy better.

This cotton candy series is inspired by my "Will it Marshmallow series" were I take different candies and melt them down to see if they will turn into marshmallows after incorporating air. If you want to check those out, a few that I've done include:

• peach rings
• Swedish fish
• jolly ranchers
• Werthers Original
• gummy bears

How to make hard candy cotton candy

@onesweeetmama

Will it cotton candy - Jolly Ranchers. I found the cutest, table top cotton candy maker from Walmart and it stated that you could make cotton candy with hard candy. This was so much fun! What candy should we try next? Cotton candy machine linked in bio! #cottoncandy #hardcandy #marshmallows

♬ original sound - onesweeetmama

This is really quite simple. You'll need a cotton candy machine and some Jolly ranchers. I picked up a cute, table top cotton candy machine from Walmart for under $50.

Make sure to read the instructions for your cotton candy machine! Mine instructions included:

1. preheating cotton candy machine for ten minutes
2. unwrapping two jolly ranchers and crushing them into a powder
3. adding the powder to the preheated machine
4. twisting cotton candy around cone that came with the machine

Two pieces of jolly rancher hard candy do not make much candy - I recommend crushing a decent amount before getting started so you can add to the candy as it's cooking.

FAQs about hard candy cotton candy

What kind of candy or floss should you use? 

You can use hard candies or traditional cotton candy sugar in the machine. Refer to the owner's manual for any restrictions and recommendations. I think lemon drops, butterscotch, and rootbeer barrels would be amazing! I'm not sure if there is a cotton candy jolly rancher flavor, but that would be really fun to try out.

How long does it take to make the cotton candy? After the machine has preheated, it takes about 30 seconds for the two pieces of hard candy to turn into cotton candy, and 2-3 minutes to make a stick of cotton candy. 

How many pieces of candy can I put in the machine? Refer to your owner's manual, but for this countertop unit 2 pieces of hard candy is recommended. The brand of cotton candy machine I used came with a small scoop so you could measure out the exact recommended amount.