Name: Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Yield: 12
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· 4.9 from 20 reviews

If you’ve ever wished your favorite childhood cookie could meet the soft, gooey perfection of a homemade cinnamon roll, prepare to fall in love with this Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe. Imagine plush, blue spirals bursting with cinnamon, chocolate chip surprises, and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, all blanketed in a dreamy cream cheese icing and playful cookie crumbles. They’re as fun and whimsical as they sound, but they deliver on serious bakery-worthy flavor. Breakfast, brunch, festive gatherings, or just an afternoon craving—these are the cinnamon rolls you’ll want to share (or keep all to yourself)!

Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With this Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe, you don’t need anything fancy—just the right essentials, each playing a starring role in making these rolls unforgettable. Gather these pantry staples, a little blue food coloring, and you’re set for soft, vibrant, flavor-packed cinnamon rolls every single time.

¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F): The gentle warmth activates the yeast and gives the dough its heavenly softness.
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet): Yeast is the magic behind those fluffy, pillowy layers.
¼ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps feed the yeast for a perfect rise.
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk: Adds richness and structure, ensuring the rolls are tender (the extra yolk makes a difference!).
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted: Butter brings luxurious flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
3 cups all-purpose flour: Your trusty base for a sturdy but soft cinnamon roll dough.
½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts all the other flavors.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For that cozy, bakery-style aroma in every bite.
Blue gel food coloring: Delivers that iconic Cookie Monster vibe—just a few drops transform the dough.
½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for filling): Spreads easily for a luscious, even layer inside each roll.
¾ cup brown sugar (for filling): Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness for classic cinnamon roll flavor.
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for filling): The king of classic cinnamon roll spice—don’t skimp!
½ cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (for filling): Adds cookie crumbles in every bite—totally irresistible.
¼ cup mini chocolate chips (for filling): Little pops of chocolate surprise that melt into the filling.
4 oz cream cheese, softened (for icing): For that rich, tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting.
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (for icing): Blends with the cream cheese to make a smooth, spreadable icing.
1 cup powdered sugar (for icing): Sweetens and creates that classic drizzle.
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing): Adds warmth and depth to the icing flavor.
2–3 tablespoons milk (for icing): Adjusts the icing to just the right consistency for drizzling or slathering.
½ cup crushed chocolate cookies (for topping): Finish with dramatic, chocolatey crunch on top.
Extra mini chocolate chips (optional, for topping): For extra chocolatey flair and fun texture.

How to Make Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Make the Blue Dough

Start your Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe by combining warm milk and yeast in a large mixing bowl, letting it sit until it’s beautifully foamy—your sign that the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. Stir in the sugar, egg, egg yolk, melted butter, and a splash of vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the flour and salt, kneading as you go. Now for the fun: gently knead in a few drops of blue gel food coloring until your dough is an even Cookie Monster blue. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise somewhere warm for about 1 to 1.5 hours, until it’s doubled and irresistible-looking.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie-Chocolate Filling

While your dough is rising, whip up the filling: Cream the softened butter with brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and mini chocolate chips. This mixture is what gives your Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe that surprise candy-bar interior—seriously, you’ll want to sneak a taste!

Step 3: Roll, Fill, and Slice

Lightly flour your countertop and roll out the blue dough into a large rectangle, about 14×9 inches. Spread the cookie-cinnamon filling evenly all the way to the edges, leaving a half-inch at the top for sealing. Starting on the long side, roll up the dough tightly, then slice into 12 beautiful rolls using a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss for neat, bakery-style results. Each spiral should show off that blue interior studded with chocolatey bits.

Step 4: Second Rise and Bake

Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, leaving a little space between each one. Cover with a towel and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, until gorgeously golden on top and still soft inside. Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing right about now!

Step 5: Cream Cheese Icing

As the rolls cool just slightly, make the icing: Beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a bit of milk until you reach your perfect drizzling (or slathering) consistency. You don’t want to miss this step—the sweet, tangy icing is the crown jewel of every Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.

Step 6: Top and Serve

While the rolls are still warm, generously drizzle over that cream cheese icing, then shower with extra crushed chocolate cookies and a handful of mini chocolate chips. Every roll will look like a bakery masterpiece and taste even better.

How to Serve Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

To finish your Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe with a flourish, sprinkle a bit more crushed chocolate cookies and extra mini chocolate chips over the top. For an extra touch, add a drizzle of melted chocolate or even a playful edible “googly eye” or two for a true Cookie Monster look—perfect for birthdays or brunch parties!

Side Dishes

Pair these bold, blue cinnamon rolls with classic breakfast fare like fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, or scrambled eggs to balance the sweetness. For special brunch vibes, serve with iced coffee, milk, or a vanilla latte—something creamy helps mellow out the richness and sweetness in each bite.

Creative Ways to Present

The Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is all about fun and flair—serve on a white or blue platter to make that signature color pop! For parties, try making “mini” versions in a muffin tin, or set up a toppings bar with extra cookie crumbles, chocolate chips, and icing so everyone can create their own monster masterpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you manage to have any rolls left after the first round, just pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay soft and delicious at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days—making late-night cravings and weekday snack attacks easy to handle.

Freezing

Want to prep these ahead? After slicing, you can freeze unbaked Cookie Monster cinnamon rolls in the baking pan wrapped tightly; they’ll keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and finish the second rise before baking. Baked but un-iced rolls can also be frozen—just warm and ice before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven experience!

Reheating

To recapture that melty, soft texture, simply microwave single rolls for 10–15 seconds, or reheat a pan in a low (300°F) oven, covered with foil, for about 10 minutes. Add a fresh swirl of icing and extra cookie crumbles right after reheating for best results.

FAQs

Can I make the Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe the night before?

Absolutely! Prepare the rolls up until they’re sliced and arranged in the baking dish, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, let them come back to room temperature and rise (about 30–45 minutes), then bake as directed. That way, you can have fresh, warm cinnamon rolls with barely any morning prep!

Do I have to use blue food coloring?

Not at all, but the blue dough is what gives these their Cookie Monster charm! If you’re skipping the food coloring, everything else about the recipe stays the same. For the boldest blue, gel food coloring works best and won’t water down your dough.

What’s the best way to crush chocolate sandwich cookies?

A resealable bag and a rolling pin work beautifully—just crush until you have some fine bits and some chunky pieces. Larger chunks create big pockets of cookie crunch inside your rolls. You can also pulse them a few times in a food processor for an even crumb.

Can I use other types of chocolate chips?

Definitely! Try white chocolate chips or even peanut butter chips for a twist. Mix and match to suit your cravings—one of the best parts of the Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to customize!

Why did my dough not rise?

The most common culprit is inactive yeast, often due to milk that was too hot or too cold. Make sure your milk is around 110°F and that your yeast foams after 5 minutes. Fresh yeast and a cozy rising spot make all the difference.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a show-stopping breakfast, dessert, or party treat that delivers on both taste and pure childhood whimsy, this Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe won’t let you down. With that playful blue swirl, pockets of cookie crunch, and luscious cream cheese icing, you’ll have everyone grinning from the first bite. Give them a try—you just might create a new family tradition!