Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)
Fluffy blue rolls with cinnamon filling and chocolate chips topped with cream cheese frosting
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
03 - 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - Blue gel food coloring as needed for vibrant blue color
→ Filling
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
11 - 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
12 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
→ Blue Cream Cheese Frosting
13 - 6 oz cream cheese, softened
14 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
15 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
16 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
17 - Blue gel food coloring as needed
→ Cookie Monster Decoration
18 - 24 candy eyes OR white chocolate chips + mini chocolate chips for homemade eyes
19 - 6 mini chocolate chip cookies, halved
# Steps:
01 - Combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a large bowl. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, remaining sugar, eggs, salt, and a few drops of blue food coloring. Mix well. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Add more blue coloring as needed for a bold blue hue.
02 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
03 - Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until combined into a spreadable paste.
04 - Punch down dough and roll out to a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread filling evenly over dough surface. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the filling. Roll up tightly from the long side and slice into 12 even rolls.
05 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy and doubled.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cool slightly before frosting.
07 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and blue food coloring. Beat until creamy and vibrantly blue.
08 - Spread blue frosting thickly over warm rolls. Place two candy eyes and half a mini cookie on each roll to create the Cookie Monster face.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The vibrant blue dough makes everyone smile before they even take a bite
- Chocolate chips tucked inside warm cinnamon swirls create the perfect sweet surprise
02 -
- Gel food coloring is essential because liquid coloring will throw off your dough consistency and create a sticky mess
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate more smoothly and prevent lumps in your frosting
03 -
- Use unflavored dental floss to slice rolls by sliding it underneath and crossing ends over the top for perfectly clean cuts
- Place your baking dish on the middle oven rack to ensure even baking without burnt bottoms