How to Make Cotton Candy Without a Machine Fluffy Homemade Cotton Candy Magic Ingredients: 2 cups granulated sugar 2/3 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Food coloring (optional) Wooden skewers or sticks Directions: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and allow the mixture to boil