Description
Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls are a fun and vibrant twist on classic cinnamon rolls, featuring a striking blue dough and a rich filling of cinnamon, brown sugar, crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, and mini chocolate chips. These sweet rolls are topped with a creamy cream cheese icing and sprinkled with more crushed cookies for extra texture and flavor, making them the perfect treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
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 (as needed for color)
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 desired consistency)
- ½ cup crushed chocolate cookies (for topping)
- Extra mini chocolate chips (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Stir in the sugar, whole egg, egg yolk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Add 2 cups of flour and the salt, mix until incorporated, then gradually add the remaining flour until a dough forms. Add blue gel food coloring and knead the dough thoroughly until it is smooth and the color is even. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours until it doubles in size.
- Make the Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the softened butter with brown sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. Stir in the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and mini chocolate chips to add texture and chocolate flavor to the filling.
- Roll & Fill: On a floured surface, roll out the risen dough into a 14 by 9-inch rectangle. Evenly spread the cinnamon-cookie filling over the dough surface, making sure to cover all edges. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 12 equal rolls.
- Second Rise & Bake: Place the cinnamon rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish spaced close together. Cover them loosely and let rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until they puff up. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Make the Icing: While rolls are baking, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk, mixing well until the icing reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Assemble & Serve: Once the rolls are warm from the oven, drizzle the cream cheese icing generously over the top. Sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies and extra mini chocolate chips over the icing for decoration and added flavor. Serve the cinnamon rolls warm for the best experience.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Knead the dough well to develop gluten for a soft, fluffy texture.
- If you want a more vibrant blue color, add gel food coloring gradually and knead until desired shade is achieved.
- The second rise is important to create light and airy rolls; do not skip it.
- You can substitute crushed cookies with any chocolate sandwich cookies you prefer.
- For best taste, serve cinnamon rolls fresh and slightly warm, but they can be reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cookie Monster cinnamon rolls, blue cinnamon rolls, chocolate cinnamon rolls, cream cheese icing cinnamon rolls, fun breakfast pastries, easy cinnamon roll recipe
