Dreamy Carnival Cheesecake

Name: Cotton Candy Delight
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Sprinkles (just if you want).; Cotton candy, enough to decorate.; Cotton candy flavor drop-ins, your call.; 4 eggs, big ones.; A splash of vanilla (about 1 teaspoon).; 1 cup of tangy sour cream.; 1 cup of white sugar.; Three 8-oz blocks cream cheese (let them get soft).; Half a cup melted butter (no salt).; Quarter cup regular sugar.; One and a half cups graham cracker crumbs.

As seen on: Delicious Dessert Recipes

Turn your regular cheesecake into a playful treat by swirling in cotton candy flavor and topping with real cotton candy. This dessert brings the party with it.

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Shared By Emily

Last revised on Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:55:28 GMT

Bright and colorful cheesecake slice topped with fluffy cotton candy and cheerful sprinkles on a plate. | emilyscooks.com

Check out my one-of-a-kind Cotton Candy Cheesecake that turns any get-together into a festive bash. This smooth, dreamy cheesecake has the playful taste of cotton candy and a gorgeous look with clouds of cotton candy and cute sprinkles on top. Everyone’s face lights up, no matter their age!

Dreamy Cotton Candy Delight

This treat is a winner because it blends a soft creamy feel with the nostalgic sweetness of cotton candy. Each piece looks like a party on a plate and tastes awesome. It’s great for birthdays, hangouts, or whenever you want to bring good vibes to the table!

What You Need

For the Filling: - Cream cheese (let it soften) - All the sugar (1 cup) - A big scoop of sour cream - Vanilla - Eggs (fresh is best) - That cotton candy extract - Sprinkles for fun - Fluffy cotton candy for the top
For the Base: - Melted butter (1/2 cup) - Graham cracker crumbs (1 1/2 cups) - Sugar (1/4 cup)

Create Something Magical

Add the Pretty Bits:: Lightly scatter sprinkles and stick on cotton candy clouds right before you dig in.
Bake with Care:: Pour your mix onto the prepared crust then bake just until it’s set. Let it cool so it gets that velvet feel.
Make Your Filling:: Whip up cream cheese with sugar, add sour cream and vanilla, then eggs one by one. Toss in your cotton candy flavor.
Crust Comes First:: Blend graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, squash them into your pan, and bake until they look just right.

Casey’s Go-To Tricks

Let it sit in the fridge overnight – the flavors get way better
Sugar clouds on top? Put them on at the very last minute
Swirl in more colors for a wild look

Mix It Up

Brighten it up with a bit of lemon juice
Got a cotton candy maker? Use fresh stuff!
Try cool twists like bubblegum flavors

Pink and white cheesecake topped with fluffy cotton candy sits pretty on a dish. | emilyscooks.com

Sheer Sweet Bliss

Honestly, this Cotton Candy Cheesecake is way more than something sweet. Each piece is basically a mini party! When you put together creamy goodness, playful cotton candy, and that awesome look, every moment feels totally fun.

Common Questions

→ When do I stick on the cotton candy?: Put the cotton candy up top right before eating or it’ll melt away.
→ Can I prep this a day or two early?: Totally, you can chill the cheesecake in the fridge for a couple of days. Wait till just before you serve to add the fluffy topping.
→ Do I have to use cotton candy flavor?: That flavoring isn’t a must, but it boosts the classic sweet flavor. Swapping in vanilla is fine too.
→ How come it needs to cool in the oven?: Letting the cheesecake chill slowly in the oven helps keep cracks away and keeps the texture soft and smooth.
→ How can I keep my cheesecake from splitting?: Cut back on mixing, bake the pan in some water, and cool it slowly in the oven afterwards.

Cotton Candy Delight

Classic cheesecake gets a sweet makeover with cotton candy vibes and a cloud of actual cotton candy on top. Great for adding fun to your spread.

Preparation Time

20 Minutes

Cooking Time

60 Minutes

Overall Time

80 Minutes

Shared By: Emily

Meal Type: Desserts

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Style: American

Makes: 12 Portions (12)

Special Diet: Vegetarian-Friendly

What You’ll Need

01 items Sprinkles (just if you want).

02 items Cotton candy, enough to decorate.

03 items Cotton candy flavor drop-ins, your call.

04 items 4 eggs, big ones.

05 items A splash of vanilla (about 1 teaspoon).

06 items 1 cup of tangy sour cream.

07 items 1 cup of white sugar.

08 items Three 8-oz blocks cream cheese (let them get soft).

09 items Half a cup melted butter (no salt).

10 items Quarter cup regular sugar.

11 items One and a half cups graham cracker crumbs.

Steps To Make It

Step 01

Right before you dig in, pile on the cotton candy.

Step 02

Let it hang out on the counter till cool, then pop it in the fridge at least four hours.

Step 03

Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in there for an hour with the door cracked open.

Step 04

Bake it till it’s mostly set with a wobbly center, about 50 to 60 minutes.

Step 05

Pour all that filling right onto your cooled crust.

Step 06

If you’re feeling extra, toss in some cotton candy flavor stuff now.

Step 07

Drop in one egg, beat it in, and keep doing that ‘til all 4 are in.

Step 08

Stir in your vanilla and all the sour cream.

Step 09

Beat the soft cream cheese with the full cup of sugar till super creamy.

Step 10

Bake your crust for about 8 to 10 minutes. Let it cool all the way down.

Step 11

Combine crumbs, sugar, and the melted butter. Smush into your pan and make it flat.

Step 12

Crank your oven up to 325°F. Grease a springform pan (9 inches).

Extra Notes

Decorate with cotton candy just before you share it.
You can make the crust and filling a couple days in advance if you want.
Let it cool slowly so you don’t see any cracks.
If you want fewer cracks, try the water bath trick—works well, totally optional.