Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls

If you are looking for a fun and delicious dessert that both children and children-at-heart will enjoy, then you will love these Cookie Monster cinnamon rolls.

From the Cookie Monster blue cinnamon rolls to the gooey icing and the crunchy cookie crumble topping, these Cookie Monster cinnamon rolls are full of texture and flavor.

Keep this recipe on hand for birthday parties or just when you want to keel like a kid again.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is especially great if you're a mom who wants to get a big reaction from her kids. Maybe you're not a world-class baker, but you still want your kids to be wowed on their birthdays. This recipe is for you. Cookie Monster is a notoriously messy eater, so the messier your work, the more authentic they look!

Ingredients

Cookies:

Use a variety of any of your favorite cookies. For this recipe, we used chocolate chip and Oreo, but you can have fun and get creative with the kinds of cookies you use here because as well all know, a cookie monster has love for cookies of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

Cinnamon Sugar:

The recipe calls for cinnamon sugar which you can make very easily using granulated sugar and powdered cinnamon. For every cup of granulated sugar, add 4 tablespoons of cinnamon and stir to incorporate.

How to Make Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls

Step One: 

In a small bowl, add water, yeast, and 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar. Stir to combine and set aside for 10 minutes.

Step Two: 

Add butter, warm milk, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and eggs to your mixer bowl. Mix until ingredients are combined.

Step Three:

Add yeast mixture, sifted flour, and salt into the mixer bowl, and continue mixing until the ingredients are combined.

Step Four:

Add 5-7 drops of blue food coloring to the batter and continue to mix and add drops as needed to achieve the desired hue of blue. Once the blue food coloring has been distributed throughout the dough, set aside for 1 hour to rise.

Step Five: 

Meanwhile, crush 10-12 of your favorite cookies into a bowl. Add cocoa powder, cinnamon sugar, stir to incorporate, and set aside.

Step Six: 

In a separate bowl, add cream cheese, evaporated milk, 2 tablespoons of butter, and whisk to incorporate.

Step Seven:

Add powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and whisk to incorporate. Set aside.

Step Eight:

Once your dough has risen for an hour, roll it out onto a floured surface in a rectangle shape, roughly ½" thick.

Step Nine:

Brush the face with a generous helping of butter and sprinkle the cookie mixture on top.

Step Ten:

Gently roll the dough lengthwise until you have a blue dough log.

Step Eleven:

Using butcher twine, slice your blue log into 2" pieces.

Step Twelve:

Place each roll, face side up, in a parchment-lined pan.

Step Thirteen:

Bake at 375F for 25- 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Step Fourteen:

Generously spoon the cream cheese mixture onto the rolls and top with more crushed cookies. 

Step Fifteen:

Serve, and enjoy!

Tips

• Allow the dough to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which helps create light and fluffy rolls.
• Roll the dough evenly to ensure that the cinnamon and sugar filling is evenly distributed.
• Use butcher's twine to cut the rolled dough into individual cinnamon rolls. This helps create clean, neat slices without squishing the dough. A sharp knife or dental floss also works.
• Keep an eye on your cinnamon rolls while they bake to avoid overcooking, which can make them dry.

How To Serve

These Cookie Monster cinnamon rolls are monster sized, so they are best served with a delicious beverage like whipped coffee, hot chocolate, or brown sugar boba.

You can additionally serve them up as a Cookie Monster-themed dessert table with some chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and Oreo cheesecake.

FAQs

Can I freeze the cinnamon rolls before baking them?

Absolutely. When making your cinnamon rolls, instead of cutting your dough log into smaller rolls, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and place it in the freezer. If you have already cut the pieces, not to worry. Simply separate layers of rolls with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and place them in an airtight container or bag before placing them in the freezer. When you're ready to bake them, remove them from the freezer and transfer them to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Continue with the recipe from where you left off before freezing.

How long can Cookie Monster cinnamon rolls be stored?

If they are frosted, the cinnamon rolls can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days and in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, if the cinnamon rolls are baked but not frosted, they can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Can I use pre-made cinnamon rolls?

The main reason to make your dough from scratch with this recipe is to achieve the Cookie Monster blue dough. However, if you want to save yourself some time, premade rolls can be used. Simply add a few drops of blue food coloring to your cream cheese frosting to get the Cookie Monster look to your cinnamon rolls.

More Dessert Recipes

Looking for some more dessert ideas to serve at your next barbecue or to cure your sweet tooth craving? Then you'll love this collection of delightful dessert recipes to share or enjoy all by yourself!

Instant Pot Cinnamon Rolls

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls (from frozen)

Mochi Donuts

Churros

Chocolate Cake