Celebrate National Cotton Candy Day with Unique Flavors!

As the calendar turns to December, we're not only counting down to the holidays, we’re also preparing to celebrate a truly magnificent confection on National Cotton Candy Day, coming up on December 7th! What better way to usher in the festive season than with this delicate, air-spun sweetness that instantly whisks us away to memories of a sun-drenched carnival midway or a thrilling amusement park?

For generations, cotton candy, (which is also called candy floss in some parts of the world), has been synonymous with a spectacularly great time! It’s a classic fairground sweet that brings a massive grin to anyone who holds a cloud of it. For your candy shop, this national day is the perfect opportunity to ditch the regular old pink and blue and dive into some exciting and innovative gourmet cotton candy products that are available today!

In the world of confectionery, cotton candy is proof that sometimes, the simplest ingredients can create the greatest magic. Now, you might think that cotton candy is a difficult product to stock, but the availability of high-quality prepackaged cotton candy has transformed it from a traditionally summertime item, into a year-round, high-margin hit for retailers.

The Sweet History of Spun Sugar

Before we explore all the wild new flavors you can use to tickle your taste buds, let’s tip our hat to the innovative minds who first created this magical fluff. The history of this machine spun sugar is almost as fascinating as the treat itself!

While versions of spun sugar appeared in Europe in the 1700s, the modern, mechanized version we now know and love was introduced by an oddly-surprising duo: a dentist and a confectioner! That's right, the people who made one of the most sugary treats in history were dentist William J. Morrison, and confectioner John C. Wharton. Together, they patented the first electric machine that melted sugar and forced it through tiny holes to create fluffy strands.

They debuted their invention as “Fairy Floss” at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis and sold a whopping 68,655 boxes at 25 cents each, which was very expensive for a sweet treat at the time! The original machine design was later improved by another dentist, Joseph Lascaux in 1921, who renamed the confection "Cotton Candy". Today, the spirit of that 1904 World’s Fair invention still lights up carnival rides and holiday displays at candy stores across the country.

What Are Some Unique Cotton Candy Flavors?

The best part about modern cotton candy is that it has completely transcended its humble fairy floss beginnings. Forget your ordinary pink and blue, today’s confectioners are pushing the boundaries into the stratosphere with flavors inspired by cocktails, fine desserts, and even savory treats! As Homer Simpson would say: “Mmmmm… Unexplained bacon!”

Exploring the bizarre and brilliant side of the candy industry is the key to attracting a diverse customer base. Unique, photogenic flavors are trending hard on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, so stocking an assortment of these can turn a simple purchase into the possibility of viral content for your customers.

Here are a just a few incredible examples of some unique flavors your customers will be thrilled to discover in cotton candy form:

Maple Bacon: Forget breakfast, this is the ultimate sweet and savory combination that will have you thinking maybe it’s okay to eat cotton candy first thing in the morning! Chocolate Storybook’s Fairytale Cotton Candy has captured the smoky, savory magic of sizzling bacon and swirled it into the sweet, maple-kissed clouds of our cotton candy. It’s been the talk-of-the-town around here for years!

Dill Pickle: You asked for it, pickle nation! In a move that’s either genius or brilliantly bizarre, CSB partnered with the pickle pros at Van Holten’s to spin their iconic "Big Papa" brine into a fluffy cloud of tangy triumph. Echoing the popularity of the growing pickle trend seen at recent Sweets & Snacks Expos, it’s the puckery, peculiar treat that’s dominating trends and winning over brave souls everywhere. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it!

Dubai Chocolate: Speaking of Sweets & Snacks trends, the latest global luxury everyone’s talking about is the viral creamy pistachio Dubai chocolate bars. So, why not make that into cotton candy too? Here, CSB has fine-tuned a sophisticated, indulgent experience that will transport your senses to a world that’s just a little more exotic than you remembered it!

Sour Challenge: Ready for a flavor adventure that packs a puckery punch? Lupy Lups Sour Challenge Cotton Candy is a five-flavor rollercoaster that starts sweet with strawberry and cranks up the intensity with each colorful cloud. Brace yourself for the final "Freakin' Sour" orange wave. It’s a hilarious, face-scrunching experience best shared with your most adventurous friends. This isn't just a treat, it’s a dare!

Caramel Apple: Capturing all the classic taste of a county fair caramel apple, CSB spins the rich, buttery taste of caramel and the sweet-tart zing of a crisp green apple into this magical product. It’s a nostalgic, gourmet experience that delivers the deep, comforting flavor of autumn in every ethereal bite. All the fun of the fair is now abailable in a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth cloud.

Birthday Cake: Who needs a special occasion? Every day is a party with Birthday Cake Cotton Candy! This pre-packaged tub of cotton candy perfectly captures the joy of licking the cake batter spoon, transforming that classic vanilla frosting and sprinkle-filled fun into a celebratory cloud. It’s the perfect way to add a dash of instant festivity to any moment. Go on, unleash your inner kid and celebrate the simple joy of time passing us by!

Root Beer: The classic, creamy taste of A&W Root Beer now comes in a magically melt-in-your-mouth form! Taste of Nature has spun the distinctive, sassafras sparkle of root beer into a fluffy cotton candy that’s a hit for all ages. It’s a sweet, fizzy-nostalgia trip that brings the iconic drive-in flavor right to your hands, no straw required!

Spicy Peppers: If you think cotton candy is all sweetness and no heat, these fiery flavors will prove you wrong. Carolina Reaper cherry cotton candy blends a bold, slow-building burn with bright, fruity sweetness for a surprisingly addictive combo. For a different kind of kick, ghost pepper watermelon delivers a juicy, refreshing flavor with a spicy edge that sneaks up on you. These daring mashups are turning heads and heating up the cotton candy scene in the best possible way!

Chamoy: The vibrant, tangy taste of Mexican street food flair, spun into a fluffy cloud! Taste of Nature masterfully captures the iconic flavor of Chamoy, that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and spicy, and swirls it with the juicy taste of a ripe mango. This cotton candy delivers a fiesta of flavors that dances on your tongue, offering an authentic and exciting experience for the whole family to enjoy. ¡Qué sabroso!

The Perfect Holiday Candy & Stocking Stuffers

As December 7th rolls around, your shelves should be stacked with holiday cheer, and cotton candy is a surprisingly versatile product for the holiday season. The bright colors and fluffy texture make it a naturally festive, and visually appealing holiday candy!

For retailers, the beauty of prepackaged cotton candy lies in its versatility:

Stocking Stuffers: Small tubs or bags of colorful and uniquely-flavored cotton candy makes perfect, low-cost stocking stuffers that are easy for shoppers to grab in multiples.

Gift Bags & Baskets: Its voluminous appearance adds bulk and visual interest to pre-made gift baskets without adding significant cost.

Seasonal Displays: Partnering cotton candy with traditional holiday items like hot chocolate mixes can drive impulse sales, offering a fun topping or a sweet side-treat for winter beverages. Imagine a marshmallow s’mores gourmet cotton candy paired with a classic dark chocolate cocoa mix.

You can also leverage this National Cotton Candy Day to promote other whimsical products. For instance, cotton candy-flavored popping candy that crackles on the tongue creates a fun, unexpected texture that pairs extremely well with the airy cotton candy theme. Your imagination has no limits here, as a candy store owner, you have the opportunity to run wild!

Featured Cotton Candy from Redstone Foods

At Redstone Foods, we understand the power of nostalgia combined with novelty. Our curated selection of prepackaged cotton candy, often featuring exceptional quality from manufacturers like Chocolate Storybook, Lupy Lups, and Taste of Nature ensures you have the best products to create an irresistibly diverse display!

Our inventory allows you to stock up on all the trending, unique flavors your customers are searching for. When you choose a trusted distributor, you can be confident that these delightful, fragile products will arrive safely, and ready to be placed on your store’s shelves.

Let Redstone Foods help you stock a mesmerizing array of cotton candy that turns a trip to your shop into a fun, year-round carnival experience.

Cotton Candy Corner: Your FAQs Answered

Q: When is National Cotton Candy Day and why is it celebrated?

A: National Cotton Candy Day is celebrated every year on December 7th. It is celebrated to commemorate the invention and enjoyment of this airy spun-sugar treat, which was originally introduced to the public as "Fairy Floss" at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.

Q: What is cotton candy called in other parts of the world?

A: In various parts of the world, cotton candy goes by different names, including candy floss (commonly used in the UK, India, and Australia) and fairy floss (the name used when the machine-spun treat debuted at the 1904 World's Fair).

Q: Who is credited with inventing the modern cotton candy machine?

A: The modern machine spun cotton candy was co-invented by confectioner John C. Wharton, and dentist William Morriso, who patented the electric machine used to create fairy floss in the late 19th century. The machine was later improved upon by another dentist, Josef Lascaux in 1921 who also coined the term “cotton candy”. In 1949, Gold Medal Products made further improvements to the cotton candy machine which remain largely unchanged to this day.

Q: Where can I buy prepackaged cotton candy in bulk for my store?

A: You can buy prepackaged cotton candy and other holiday candy products wholesale from Redstone Foods, America’s favorite candy distributor. We offer a wide range of items, including specialty products and gourmet cotton candy from manufacturers like Chocolate Storybook, Taste of Nature, and Lupy Lups.

National Cotton Candy Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it's a golden opportunity to add a touch of amusement and irresistible novelty to your store. By moving beyond the classics and stocking gourmet cotton candy flavors, you can capture the attention of social media-savvy shoppers and drive some coveted and highly-profitable impulse buys.

Ready to make your store the ultimate destination for unique and delicious holiday candy? Sign up for an account with us online, or give us a call today!

1-800-444-3520