Name: Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F); 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet); ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk; ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted; 3 cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Blue gel food coloring; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon; ½ cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos); ¼ cup mini chocolate chips; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency); ½ cup crushed chocolate cookies; Extra mini chocolate chips (optional)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking for a show-stopping breakfast or brunch treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, look no further than this Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. Soft, fluffy rolls swirled with cookie-studded cinnamon filling, all topped with a dreamy cream cheese icing and a generous sprinkling of chocolate cookie crumbles—these are pure joy in each bite! They bring together everyone’s favorite blue cookie-loving monster’s signature colors and flavors in a whimsical yet absolutely delicious twist on classic cinnamon rolls.

Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe lies in its approachable ingredients. Each element brings something special, whether it’s the fluffy dough, the gooey filling, or the playful blue color. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love it:

Warm milk (¾ cup): Gives the dough its tender texture and activates the yeast for a perfect rise.
Active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons): Ensures your cinnamon rolls are pillowy and soft.
Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Just the right amount of sweetness for the dough.
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk: Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
Unsalted butter, melted (¼ cup): Infuses the dough with buttery flavor that melts in your mouth.
All-purpose flour (3 cups): The ideal base for achieving soft, chewy rolls.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Boosts all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm, cozy aroma to both dough and icing.
Blue gel food coloring: Turns these treats into true Cookie Monster-worthy swirls!
Softened unsalted butter (½ cup): Makes the filling irresistibly gooey.
Brown sugar (¾ cup): Brings a deep, molasses-sweet flavor to the filling.
Ground cinnamon (2 tablespoons): Puts the “cinnamon” in cinnamon rolls and smells amazing while baking.
Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (½ cup for filling, ½ cup for topping): Adds that Cookie Monster flair and gives every bite chocolatey crunch.
Mini chocolate chips (¼ cup for filling, extra for topping): For melt-in-your-mouth bursts of chocolate throughout.
Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): The star of your luscious icing.
Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and thickens your cream cheese icing.
Milk (2–3 tablespoons): Adjusts your icing for perfect drizzle consistency.

How to Make Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Make the Dough

Start by stirring warm milk and active dry yeast together in a large mixing bowl and let the mixture sit until it becomes foamy, about five minutes. This little pause wakes up the yeast and sets you up for extra-pillowy rolls. Next, add in the sugar, egg, egg yolk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix in 2 cups of flour and the salt until it all comes together, then gradually add the last cup of flour while kneading, until the dough is soft, just a tad sticky, and smooth. Now it’s time for the fun part: Knead in a few drops of blue gel food coloring until your dough is a vibrant Cookie Monster blue! Pop it in a greased bowl, cover, and set aside in a warm spot for 1 to 1½ hours, until it’s doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

While the dough is rising, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until perfectly smooth. Then, fold in the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and those adorable mini chocolate chips. This is where classic cinnamon roll sweetness meets a Cookie Monster cookie explosion.

Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough

Once your dough has risen to glorious puffy perfection, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a big 14×9-inch rectangle—the bigger the better to fit all that tasty filling! Gently spread the filling evenly over the surface, so you get a bit of everything in every bite. Carefully roll up the dough from the long edge, then slice into 12 swirly rolls.

Step 4: Second Rise and Bake

Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish with a hint of space between each one. Cover, let them rise one more time (about 30 to 45 minutes) until puffy, then preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and irresistible—the kitchen will smell unbelievable!

Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

While the rolls cool just slightly, whip up your cream cheese icing. Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until silky, then add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and just enough milk for a pourable consistency. The icing should be creamy and smooth, ready to drizzle to gooey perfection.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

Spoon or drizzle the cream cheese icing generously over your warm rolls, allowing it to melt into every nook and cranny. Finish it all off by showering the tops with extra crushed chocolate cookies and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips. Voila—you’ve officially conquered the Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe!

How to Serve Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

For full Cookie Monster effect, pile on the topping—crushed chocolate cookies and a handful of extra mini chocolate chips. If you want to channel your inner baker, a drizzle of blue icing or candy eyes make these extra playful and perfect for parties or kids’ breakfasts.

Side Dishes

Balance out the sweetness by serving your Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe with a platter of fresh berries or a tangy fruit salad. A cold glass of milk or your favorite coffee drink also brings out those nostalgic, cookie-dunking vibes!

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or special occasions, stack the rolls in a tower and scatter even more cookie crumbles between each layer. You can even serve individual rolls on cute blue plates or wrap them in parchment and tie with ribbon for the ultimate bake-sale eye-catcher.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any of your Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe left over (miraculous, but possible!), pop them into an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, stash them in the fridge for up to five days.

Freezing

These cinnamon rolls freeze beautifully either before or after baking. If freezing unbaked, assemble and slice the rolls, place in the pan, then tightly wrap and freeze. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. Baked rolls can be individually wrapped and frozen for a quick treat—just thaw and reheat when a craving strikes!

Reheating

For best results, warm leftover rolls in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. This brings back the soft, gooey texture and revives the chocolatey, cinnamon aroma of your Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Absolutely! Simply mix the instant yeast with the flour instead of blooming it in the warm milk, and follow the rest of the Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe just as written.

Can I make these cinnamon rolls the night before?

Yes! Prepare up through slicing the rolls, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise in the morning before baking.

What’s the best food coloring to use for that bright blue?

Gel food coloring is your best bet for an eye-popping Cookie Monster blue without making the dough too sticky. Start with a few drops and add more as needed for the perfect shade!

How do I crush the cookies for the filling?

A quick pulse in a food processor or placing cookies in a zip-top bag and giving them a whack with a rolling pin both work great. You want small crumbles for even distribution in the filling.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

You can substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. The rolls may have a slightly different texture, but they’ll still be decadent and delicious!

Final Thoughts

Ready to treat yourself (and your loved ones) to a seriously memorable baking adventure? This Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is pure happiness, from the blue swirls to the melty cookie-speckled centers. Don’t just save this for a special occasion—bake up a batch any time you could use a little extra fun and flavor in your day!

Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 27 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in these whimsical Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls that are fun and delicious, featuring a blue-hued dough and a delectable cookie-filled center topped with cream cheese icing.

Instructions

MAKE THE DOUGH: In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Stir in the sugar, egg, egg yolk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Add 2 cups of flour and salt, mixing until combined. Slowly add the remaining flour, kneading until the dough is soft and slightly sticky. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and knead until the color is evenly distributed. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
PREPARE THE FILLING: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. Stir in the crushed chocolate cookies and mini chocolate chips.
ROLL AND FILL THE DOUGH: Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough into a 14×9-inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly from the long side and cut into 12 even rolls.
SECOND RISE AND BAKE: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
MAKE THE CREAM CHEESE ICING: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Mix until creamy.
ASSEMBLE AND SERVE: Drizzle the icing over the warm cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies and extra mini chocolate chips on top. Serve warm.

Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American