Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer or whisk until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. The color should lighten, and it will smell sweet and buttery.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and beat until fully incorporated, about 1 minute. The mixture will become smooth and slightly glossy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cotton candy flavoring if using. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents and flavoring.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or folding gently until just combined. The dough will be soft but hold together.
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, shape the dough into 12 equal portions and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the cookies have spread slightly while remaining soft in the center. You may hear gentle bubbling or see slight cracks on the surface.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. They will be soft but set enough to transfer.
Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. They will firm up slightly and develop a delicate, cloud-like appearance.
Enjoy these light, airy cookies that evoke the whimsy of cotton candy with every bite.
