Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls (Printable)
Fluffy blue rolls with cinnamon-chocolate filling and colorful 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
→ 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
→ Cookie Monster Decoration
18 - 24 candy eyes or white chocolate chips and mini chocolate chips
19 - 6 mini chocolate chip cookies, halved
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, remaining sugar, eggs, salt, and several drops of blue food coloring to the yeast mixture. Stir thoroughly. Gradually incorporate flour, mixing until a soft, vibrant blue dough forms. Add additional food coloring as needed for bold color.
03 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour until doubled in volume.
04 - In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until fully combined into a spreadable paste.
05 - Punch down risen dough and roll into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread cinnamon filling evenly across surface, then sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Roll tightly from the long edge and slice into 12 equal portions using a sharp knife or dental floss.
06 - Arrange rolls cut-side up in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover loosely and let rise for 30-40 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before frosting.
08 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and blue food coloring. Continue beating until creamy and vibrantly colored.
09 - Spread blue frosting generously over slightly warm rolls. Press two candy eyes and half a mini chocolate chip cookie into each roll to create Cookie Monster faces.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The blue dough creates instant joy and wonder before anyone even takes a bite
- Chocolate chips tucked inside cinnamon swirls make these irresistible to kids and adults alike
02 -
- Gel food coloring is worth the extra trip to the baking aisle
- Room temperature ingredients prevent lumpy frosting
03 -
- Use unflavored dental floss to slice rolls without squishing them
- Warm your bowl with hot water before adding dough for a faster rise