Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

If you have a soft spot for cinnamon rolls and a love for cookies, then you are going to adore this Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. These rolls are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll, featuring bursts of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and mini chocolate chips swirled into the dough. The dough is tinted a playful blue to evoke the Cookie Monster spirit, and the cream cheese frosting topped with cookie crumbs makes every bite irresistibly moist and flavorful. This recipe combines nostalgia with pure indulgence, turning an ordinary breakfast treat into a vibrant and fun-packed showstopper.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for simple pantry staples and a few special treats that come together to create a delightful flavor and texture combo. Each ingredient plays a key role, from the warm milk that activates the yeast to make the dough pillowy soft, to the crushed cookies that add crunch and a hit of chocolate that perfectly complements the cinnamon-sugar filling.

• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F): Provides the perfect temperature to activate the yeast for a fluffy dough.
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet): The magic that makes your dough rise and become soft.
• ¼ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and feeds the yeast for a better rise.
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk: Enhances the richness and color of the dough.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds moisture and tenderness to the dough.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for your dough’s structure.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the dough and icing.
• Blue gel food coloring: Gives the dough its playful Cookie Monster blue hue.
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling): Makes the cinnamon-sugar filling rich and spreadable.
• ¾ cup brown sugar: Provides a deep molasses sweetness in the filling.
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon: Key spice for that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
• ½ cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies: Adds crunch and chocolatey bursts inside the rolls.
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips: Melts just slightly for little pockets of chocolate.
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for icing): Creates a smooth, tangy frosting.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for icing): Adds creaminess to the icing.
• 1 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the icing.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing): Enhances the flavor of the cream cheese frosting.
• 2–3 tablespoons milk (for icing): Adjusts icing consistency for perfect drizzling.
• ½ cup crushed chocolate cookies (for topping): Adds texture and flair on top of the icing.
• Extra mini chocolate chips (optional topping): For a little extra chocolate sparkle.

How to Make Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Make the Dough

Begin by combining warm milk and yeast in a mixing bowl, allowing the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This confirms your yeast is active and ready to transform your dough into a fluffy masterpiece. Next, stir in granulated sugar, the whole egg plus egg yolk, melted butter, and the vanilla extract; each adds moisture, richness, and aromatic depth. Add 2 cups of flour and the salt, mixing well to combine. Gradually add the rest of the flour, kneading as you go to create a soft, slightly sticky dough. Now the fun part: add a few drops of blue gel food coloring and knead until the color is fully and evenly incorporated, giving your dough that iconic Cookie Monster blue.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Transfer your beautifully tinted dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1½ hours or until it has doubled in size. This rise is essential for those soft, airy cinnamon rolls we all crave.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

While the dough is rising, mix together softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth and spreadable. Stir in the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies along with the mini chocolate chips to give your filling exciting bursts of texture and chocolate flavor throughout each roll.

Step 4: Roll and Fill the Dough

Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out into a 14 by 9-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon-cookie filling evenly across the dough, making sure every bite gets its fair share of sweet, spiced goodness. Then, roll the dough tightly from the long side, creating a log that’s full of swirled layers. Cut this log into 12 even rolls, the perfect size for sharing or indulging all to yourself.

Step 5: Second Rise and Bake

Place the cinnamon rolls in a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each for expansion. Cover and allow the rolls to rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, until they turn a gorgeous golden brown on top and fill your kitchen with that heavenly cinnamon aroma.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

While the rolls bake, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, adjusting the amount of milk to thin the icing to your favorite consistency — thick enough to spread, or thin enough to drizzle.

Step 7: Assemble and Serve

Once the cinnamon rolls are warm from the oven, generously drizzle the cream cheese icing over the top. For the ultimate Cookie Monster effect, sprinkle additional crushed chocolate cookies and extra mini chocolate chips over the icing. Serve these rolls warm to enjoy every bite’s tender, gooey delight with bursts of cookie crunch and melty chocolate.

How to Serve Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

To truly enhance the playful spirit of the Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls, top your warm rolls with extra crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and mini chocolate chips. This adds a delightful crunch and makes the presentation pop with color and texture, inviting everyone to dive in.

Side Dishes

These rolls are a showstopper on their own but pair beautifully with a steaming cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. For a brunch spread, consider adding fresh fruit or a light fruit salad to balance the richness, or even scrambled eggs for a heartier meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving these cinnamon rolls on a bright, colorful platter to complement their Cookie Monster blue coloring. Arrange them with a small bowl of extra icing or melted chocolate for dipping on the side. For parties, serve mini versions as fun bite-sized treats topped with edible cookie crumbs and perhaps a sprinkle of blue sugar crystals for sparkle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain softness. If you want to keep them fresh longer, refrigeration is an option but bring them back to room temperature or warm gently before eating to enjoy the best texture.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked cinnamon rolls after assembling and slicing. Place them in a well-sealed container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then let rise before baking. You can also freeze fully baked cinnamon rolls by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

Reheating

Reheat cinnamon rolls gently in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or in a warm oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes. Reheating brings back the glorious softness and melts the icing delightfully for that just-baked feel every time.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

While regular food coloring can work, gel food coloring is recommended because it provides a stronger, more vibrant blue without adding extra liquid that could affect your dough’s texture.

Can I substitute the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with another type of cookie?

Absolutely! You can use any chocolate cookies or even chocolate chip cookies. Just keep in mind the flavor will vary slightly depending on the cookie used.

How do I know if my yeast is still good to use?

If your yeast foams and bubbles when mixed with warm milk and sugar, it’s active and ready to bake. If it doesn’t foam after 5 to 10 minutes, your yeast might be old and should be replaced for best results.

Can I make these cinnamon rolls vegan?

Yes, by swapping out dairy ingredients for vegan alternatives like plant-based milk, vegan butter, and cream cheese, and using flax eggs or other egg substitutes, you can create a vegan version of this recipe.

Are these cinnamon rolls very sweet?

They have a balanced sweetness, thanks to the sweet brown sugar filling and cream cheese icing, but the cookie chunks add a rich chocolatey dimension that prevents them from being overly sugary.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re baking for a cozy weekend brunch or impressing friends at a gathering, the Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is an absolute joy to make and eat. This recipe brings a fun, nostalgic twist to the classic cinnamon roll, infusing each bite with cookie-filled surprises and a burst of blue joy. Trust me, once you try making these, they’ll become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. Go ahead and treat yourself—you deserve it!

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