By a Pro: Gourmet Cotton Candy | Unusual Dessert Table Food

the idea

From pizza and maple bacon, to caramel apple and margarita, these crazy flavors reinvent gourmet cotton candy and are sure to create a talking point

tubs of gourmet unusual flavored cotton candy

the how

Decide how you plan to use / serve; as bite-size treats or a garnish (see Matt’s Tip below)
Choose from individual 32 oz tubs by flavor (1.75 oz of cotton candy)
Alternatively, build your own selection pack of 12 tubs

gourmet craft beer flavored cotton candy

the why

This Idea

Original; guests are often impressed by, and grateful for, something new or different
Entertaining; quirky and unexpected flavors are fun for guests
Surprising; unexpected treats / flavors ensure your dessert table feels fresh and exciting
Experiential; tasting strange, unconventional, or adventurous treats / flavor combinations creates a memorable experience for party guests
Unusual; whether they love it or hate it, they certainly won’t be bored by it
Creative; adds a creative twist to familiar treats and ‘filler’ items
Refreshing; unusual flavors can make less special treats more appealing
Wow-factor; lends a fun, exciting, and innovative feel to your dessert table
Discovery; allows guests to keep discovering new and notable elements as party unfolds
Talking point; guests will discuss and share, which creates buzz and atmosphere
Memorable; guests remember creative, unusual, or unexpected elements
Different; a less common dessert table treat to impress guests
Bestseller; an idea that’s proved popular with many of my site’s visitors

gourmet spicy jalapeno flavored cotton candy

gourmet caramel latte, pancakes & maple syrup, and bacon flavored cotton candy

the why

variety of dessert table treats

Feeding v Entertaining; special event party food should have two objectives:
Feeding; 70% should be crowd-pleasing, familiar, and palatable ‘safe’ options intended to leave guests feeling well-fed
Entertaining; 30% should be to treat your guests, surprise them, indulge them, impress them, share experiences with them, and even help them discover new things
Unusual; 10% of that 30% should be quirky, unfamiliar, adventurous, fun treats that get people talking
Visual; 10% of that 30% should be visually arresting treats that contribute to presentation and add wow factor
Favorite things; 10% of that 30% should be treats that reflect your own personality and taste

gourmet Pina Colada flavored cotton candy

gourmet maple bacon flavored cotton candy

ADVICE FROM A PRO

Matt’s tip

“For quirky and unusual treats, that lots of party guests will likely want to try, I’d recommend serving them in a way that helps controls portion size.

This will maximize your budget and ensure there’s enough to go around.

One way to do this is to serve clusters of gourmet cotton candy on individual tasting forks (see my post here), in treat cones (see here), or as one component in dessert kabobs / skewers (see here).

You could also display with food tents that read ‘Guess the Flavor’ on the outside face and the answer written on the inside.

Alternatively, use as a garnish or topping for cupcakes or desserts served in disposable shooter glasses (see here), dessert cups (see here), mini mugs (see here), martini glasses (see here), or milk bottles (see here).

Just remember, if you’re using as a topping or garnish, don’t put it on top of wet components as it’s likely to dissolve. Instead, serve it on the rim of the container.”