Cotton Candy Cake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Crust Layer

01 - 1/4 cup white sugar
02 - 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
03 - 1/2 cup melted butter, unsalted

→ Cheesecake Filling

04 - 4 blocks of softened cream cheese (8 oz each)
05 - 1 cup of tangy sour cream
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - 1/4 cup plain flour
08 - 1 cup white granulated sugar
09 - 4 large eggs
10 - 1/2 cup bits of cotton candy

→ Decorative Topping

11 - 1/2 cup of chilled heavy cream
12 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
13 - Extra cotton candy for decoration

# Instructions:

01 - Warm up your oven to 325°F. Combine those cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl until it looks like damp sand. Press this mixture evenly across the bottom of your springform pan to form a solid layer. Bake it for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool down.
02 - Use a large mixing bowl and blend the cream cheese until it’s super smooth. Add your sugar and continue mixing until the texture looks creamy. Gradually mix in flour and sour cream until evenly combined. After that, add each egg one by one, mixing gently with every addition. Last but not least, stir in the vanilla and small cotton candy pieces.
03 - Pour the creamy filling over your cooled crust layer, and use a spatula to smooth the top. Bake it in the oven for around 60-70 minutes - when it’s done, the center should wobble just a tad. Leave the oven door slightly open and cool the cheesecake inside for an hour. This stops cracks from forming!
04 - Once the cheesecake has cooled in the oven, pull it out and let it reach room temperature. Then throw it in the fridge, covered, for at least 4 hours. Overnight chilling is even better—it’ll taste amazing when fully set.
05 - Right before you’re ready to serve, whip up some heavy cream with powdered sugar until it forms thick peaks that hold their shape. Spread or pipe it over the chilled cheesecake. Top it with fluffy bits of fresh cotton candy for an eye-catching touch. Add the cotton candy just before serving so it doesn’t melt.

# Notes:

01 - This fluffy Cotton Candy Cheesecake is a fun twist on a classic dessert. It’s got that sweet, nostalgic carnival vibe.
02 - Switch up the appearance by swirling in different cotton candy colors—especially soft blues and pinks for a dreamy pastel effect!
03 - Don’t garnish with cotton candy too early—it can melt and lose its fluffiness when left on the cheesecake for too long.
04 - You can make this dessert up to 3 days ahead. Just remember to save the cotton candy topping for the last minute!

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