Nostalgia Electrics Hard Candy Cotton Candy Maker

Searching for the perfect last-minute gift for your foodie friends? We’ve got some ideas!

Through Christmas, we’ll be sharing our favorite picks for holiday gift ideas for food-lovers, home cooks (both novice and all-star) and those who love to entertain. Check out details below for a new holiday gift idea… and scroll down for a giveaway!

Holiday Gift Idea: Nostalgia Electrics Hard Candy Cotton Candy Maker

Anytime I see a Nostalgia Electrics appliance while I’m out shopping, the inner kid in me comes out and I’m suddenly overwhelmed with cravings of all my favorite childhood treats. You may have seen some of their products from their fun collection of retro-themed small applainces including popcorn makers, a snow cone maker, cake pop and donut hole baker, and the super-retro hot dog roller. I have a huge soft spot for all things retro, so their fun-food small appliances instantly win me over. When I had the chance to test their Platinum Series Hard Candy Cotton Candy Maker, you can imagine my excitement!

Who doesn’t love cotton candy?! It was THE treat I looked forward to most at the State Fair when I was a kid. This cotton candy maker from Nostalgic Electrics brings back all of those favorite childhood memories carting around a big bag of cotton candy and all of my stuffed animal winnings while I road the Scrambler (over and over) with my dad. Though the Fair only stops by once a year, I don’t have to wait that long to indulge. I tested the new Cotton Candy Maker just in time for some holiday-scented cotton candy and got to share its fluffy creations with my 4-year-old daughter and create new memories with her.

I love the look of the machine… the brushed platinum exterior still has a bit of retro flair without being kitschy. If you’re displaying it on your countertop, it will blend in nicely with other appliances, but still has that retro “cute factor” of a cotton candy machine. It’s surprisingly lightweight, but has suction cups mounted on its bottom legs to ensure sturdiness while you’re spinning sugar. Assembly was very easy—I was actually surprised at how short the instructions were, but it’s so simple… all you do is check to make sure all parts are locked into place, turn it on to preheat for at least 5 minutes, then turn off to drop in your hard candy (or flavored sugar), and back on again and it works in an instant.

My 4-year-old really wanted to help me test it on our first go around. I was apprehensive, worrying that the appliance might get too hot for her to help spin sugar, but found that the heat is completely contained inside the machine. All of its outer parts stayed cool to the touch and I had no worries letting her help along the way (with my supervision, of course)! This would be such a fun activity for a birthday party. I took the opportunity to use up leftover hard candies from Halloween (the machine only requires 2 pieces of hard candy for a ‘serving’)—and it worked like a charm. The machine preheated in 5 minutes and when we dropped our candy in, it instantly started spinning sugar. With the machine, you get two reusable plastic cones to hold your tufts of sugar, though if you’re planning a big party you can find disposable paper cones from numerous sellers online.  The clear rim that tops the cotton candy maker lets you see the soft, cottony sugar as it spins which really excites the kiddos… (and the grown ups).

Our favorite combo of candies were Jolly Ranchers; watermelon with blue raspberry were fantastic. I’ve never had cotton candy so ‘flavored’ before… this beats the standard pink and blue varieties at the Fair, BY FAR. Since it’s near the holidays, we also broke up some candy cane pieces and spun peppermint-flavored cotton candy that was equally addictive. I felt that the texture was lighter than the bagged cotton candy I’ve had at the Fair and if you love cotton candy, then you know that lighter = better. I can’t wait to experiment with fresh-made cotton candy for some out-of-the-box desserts when we entertain.

My cotton candy rotating skills might need some practice, but you get the idea:

The machine spins candy in small batches (but plenty enough for one serving). If you’re looking for those giant, fluffy cones of cotton candy, just add in another 2 pieces of hard candy after the first have dissolved and keep spinning on the same cone. Try layering flavors, too!

Wanna buy one for yourself or a friend? You’ll find the Cotton Candy Maker exclusively at Nordstrom’s this year. Purchase one online at shop.nordstrom.com or at a Nordstrom’s retail location near you.

Check out more of their products online at nostalgiaelectrics.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Ready for a giveaway? Enter below!

Giveaway Details

The folks at Nostalgia Electrics are giving one lucky reader their very own Platinum Series Hard Candy Cotton Candy Maker! Enter below:

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER, KRISTINA’S K.
^{We received complimentary samples to facilitate the writeup; however, our opinions are wholly our own. View our Disclosure Policy for more info.}