Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls bring a fun twist to a classic favorite with their vibrant blue dough and delicious cookie filling. Soft, sweet, and packed with chocolate sandwich cookies, they are perfect for a playful breakfast or dessert treat that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
• 2¼ tsp 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 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Blue gel food coloring
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp 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 (for icing)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
• ½ cup crushed chocolate cookies (for topping)
• Extra mini chocolate chips (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy.
2. Step 2: Stir in the granulated sugar, egg, egg yolk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups of flour and salt to the wet ingredients and mix well. Gradually add the remaining flour until a dough forms.
4. Step 4: Add blue gel food coloring and knead the dough until it is smooth and the color is evenly distributed.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 to 1½ hours until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Meanwhile, prepare the filling by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in the crushed cookies and mini chocolate chips.
7. Step 7: Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a 14×9-inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough.
8. Step 8: Roll the dough tightly from the long side and slice it into 12 equal rolls.
9. Step 9: Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover and let them rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
11. Step 11: While the rolls bake, make the icing by beating the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing until creamy and smooth.
12. Step 12: Drizzle the icing over the warm rolls. Sprinkle with crushed cookies and extra mini chocolate chips if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use blue gel food coloring for the most vibrant color without affecting the dough’s texture.
• Swap out chocolate sandwich cookies for your favorite cookies to customize flavor.
• For a stronger cinnamon flavor, add a bit more cinnamon to the filling mixture.
• If you want extra gooey rolls, spread a bit of cream cheese inside with the filling before rolling up the dough.
• Make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate overnight for a slow rise and enhanced flavor.

Storage

Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm rolls in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5–10 minutes until warm and soft.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Regular liquid food coloring can be used, but gel food coloring provides a more vibrant blue without thinning the dough, making it the better choice for this recipe.

Can I substitute the cookie filling for something else?

Yes! You can use nuts, fruit preserves, or even chocolate spread as alternatives to the cookie filling, depending on your preference.

Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 149 reviews

Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls are a fun and delicious twist on classic cinnamon rolls, featuring vibrant blue dough swirled with a cinnamon sugar and crushed chocolate cookie filling. Topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting and extra cookie crumbs for crunch, these sweet rolls are perfect for breakfast or dessert and sure to delight kids and adults alike.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 cinnamon rolls 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
• 2¼ tsp 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 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Blue gel food coloring

Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Icing

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
• ½ cup crushed chocolate cookies
• Extra mini chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the Dough: In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Stir in sugar, egg, egg yolk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined. Gradually add 2 cups of flour and salt, mixing well, then slowly add the remaining flour. Add blue gel food coloring and knead the dough until it is smooth and the color is evenly distributed.
2. Let the Dough Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
3. Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until well combined. Stir in the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and mini chocolate chips evenly.
4. Roll Out and Fill the Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 14×9 inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon cookie filling evenly over the dough to the edges.
5. Form the Rolls: Starting from a long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 12 equal rolls using a sharp knife or dental floss.
6. Second Rise: Place the rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring they have a little space to expand. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
7. Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.
8. Make the Icing: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing until the icing is creamy and reaches desired consistency.
9. Assemble and Serve: Drizzle the cream cheese icing over the warm cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle with crushed chocolate cookies and extra mini chocolate chips if desired. Serve immediately for a delightful treat.

Notes

• Ensure the milk is warm (around 110°F) but not hot to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Kneading the dough until smooth is important for a soft and elastic texture.
• The second rise before baking helps to achieve fluffy, airy rolls.
• You can adjust the blue food coloring amount to achieve your preferred intensity of color.
• Use fresh yeast and quality chocolate sandwich cookies for best flavor.
• If desired, substitute regular sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor.
• Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, cookie monster, blue cinnamon rolls, sweet rolls, breakfast buns, chocolate cookie cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting