As I sat in my kitchen on a lazy Sunday afternoon, contemplating what delightful treat I could whip up, inspiration struck me like a bolt of lightning. A recent obsession with all things cookie monster had me craving the perfect fusion of sweet cinnamon rolls and the playful charm of everyone’s favorite blue monster.
And so began my journey into the world of creating the most indulgent and whimsical cookie monster cinnamon rolls that would make even the grumpiest grouch crack a smile.
What is Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls?
Cookie monster cinnamon rolls are a delightful twist on the classic cinnamon roll recipe that brings together the signature blue hue of the beloved cookie monster character with the rich and comforting flavors of a traditional cinnamon roll.
With a colorful blue swirl running through each spiral of dough and crushed Oreos sprinkled generously over the top, these cinnamon rolls are a sight to behold and a treat for the taste buds.
What is the Flavor Profile of this Dish?
The flavor profile of cookie monster cinnamon rolls is a delightful mix of sweet and indulgent. The soft and pillowy dough is infused with a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar, creating a warm and comforting base for the indulgent blue swirls that run through each roll.
The crushed Oreos add a bold chocolate flavor and a satisfying crunch, while the creamy icing drizzled generously over the top ties all the flavors together in a decadent finish.
Why You’ll Love This:
If you’re a fan of all things whimsical and indulgent, then cookie monster cinnamon rolls are sure to capture your heart.
Not only are they a feast for the eyes, with their vibrant blue hue and generous sprinkling of crushed Oreos, but they also deliver on taste with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Whether you’re a kid at heart or simply looking to add a fun twist to your breakfast or dessert spread, these cinnamon rolls are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cinnamon Rolls:
- Milk: Milk serves as the liquid base for the dough. It adds moisture and richness to the dough, resulting in soft and tender cinnamon rolls.
- Instant Yeast: Instant yeast helps the dough rise quickly and evenly. It leavens the dough, creating light and fluffy cinnamon rolls with a delicate texture.
- Sugar: Sugar sweetens the dough, adding a hint of sweetness to the cinnamon rolls. It also helps activate the yeast and contributes to browning during baking.
- Eggs: Eggs enrich the dough, adding moisture and richness. They also act as a binding agent, helping to hold the dough together and create a soft and tender texture.
- Butter: Butter adds flavor and richness to the dough. It contributes to the soft and tender texture of the cinnamon rolls, as well as providing a buttery taste.
- All-purpose Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the dough. It provides structure and gluten development, resulting in a chewy and satisfying texture.
- Blue Food Coloring: Blue food coloring is used to tint the dough blue, giving it the signature color of Cookie Monster. It adds a fun and playful element to the cinnamon rolls, making them visually appealing.
- Oreos: Oreos are crushed and used as a filling in the cinnamon rolls. They add a delicious chocolatey flavor and crunchy texture, reminiscent of Cookie Monster’s favorite cookies.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and spice to the filling of the cinnamon rolls. Its aromatic flavor pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the brown sugar, creating a delectable filling.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the filling and adds a rich caramel flavor. It melts into the dough during baking, creating a gooey and indulgent filling for the cinnamon rolls.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Heavy whipping cream is used to make the creamy icing for the cinnamon rolls. It adds richness and smoothness to the icing, creating a luxurious finish.
- Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is used to flavor the icing and give it a chocolatey taste. It complements the Oreos in the filling, adding depth and richness to the overall flavor profile.
For the Icing:
- Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor to the icing. It melts into the icing, giving it a smooth and creamy texture.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds tanginess and richness to the icing. It balances out the sweetness of the powdered sugar and complements the chocolatey flavors in the cinnamon rolls.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar sweetens the icing, giving it a smooth and creamy texture. It also helps thicken the icing and create a glaze-like consistency.
- Cookies: Cookies are crushed and used as a topping for the icing. They add a playful and whimsical touch to the cinnamon rolls, reminiscent of Cookie Monster’s love for cookies.
Step by Step Directions:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by combining warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until thoroughly combined, then allow the mixture to rest for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and activates.
Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients
Once the yeast mixture is activated, add beaten eggs and cooled melted butter to the bowl. Mix everything together on medium-low speed until well combined.
Step 3: Add Flour
Gradually add all-purpose flour to the mixture, one cup at a time, while continuing to mix. Keep mixing until a sticky dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Switch the stand mixer attachment to the dough hook and knead the dough on medium-low speed until it forms a smooth and elastic dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
Step 5: Color the Dough
Once the dough is formed, add blue food coloring until you achieve the desired color. Mix well until the color is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 6: Allow the Dough to Rise
Transfer the colored dough to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
Step 7: Preheat the Oven
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when the cinnamon rolls are prepared for baking.
Step 8: Prepare the Oreo Mixture
In a separate bowl, crush the Oreos and mix them with cinnamon and brown sugar to create the Oreo mixture. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Step 9: Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Then, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle.
Step 10: Add Filling and Roll
Spread a layer of softened butter over the rolled-out dough, then evenly sprinkle the Oreo mixture over the buttered surface. Carefully roll the dough into a log starting from one end.
Step 11: Cut into Rolls
Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the rolled dough into individual rolls, each about 1.5 inches wide. You should get approximately 12 rolls.
Step 12: Place in Baking Dish
Arrange the cut rolls in a baking dish, leaving some space between each roll. Pour heavy whipping cream into the bottom of the baking dish, around the rolls.
Step 13: Bake
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake the cinnamon rolls for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. If needed, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Step 14: Prepare the Icing
While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the icing by mixing softened butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 15: Ice the Rolls
Once the cinnamon rolls are baked and slightly cooled, generously spread the prepared icing over the top of each roll.
Step 16: Garnish and Serve
To complete the cookie monster theme, sprinkle crushed Oreos and chocolate chip cookies over the icing. Serve the delicious cookie monster cinnamon rolls warm and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks:
1. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
2. Don’t skip the step of creaming together the butter and cream cheese for the icing – it creates a smooth and velvety finish.
3. For a more intense chocolate flavor, add a bit of cocoa powder to the dough itself.
4. Experiment with different food coloring hues to create a rainbow of cookie monster cinnamon rolls.
5. Enjoy these cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven for the ultimate indulgent treat, or reheat them in the microwave for a warm and gooey delight.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Information for Traditional Cinnamon Rolls (per serving, approximately 1 roll):
- Calories: Around 250-300 calories
- Total Fat: 10-15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 5-8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Cholesterol: 20-30 milligrams
- Sodium: 200-300 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 35-45 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
- Sugars: 15-20 grams
- Protein: 3-5 grams
How Can You Store This Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls?
If you happen to have any leftover cookie monster cinnamon rolls (which is a rare occurrence in my household), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
For longer storage, you can refrigerate the cinnamon rolls for up to a week or freeze them for up to three months. Simply reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving to enjoy them fresh and gooey once again.
If Some of the Ingredients are Not Available in Your Pantry, What are Some Alternative Choices You Can Consider?
1. Yeast: If you don’t have instant yeast on hand, you can substitute it with active dry yeast. Be sure to activate the yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar before using.
2. Heavy whipping cream: For a dairy-free alternative, you can use coconut cream or a plant-based heavy cream substitute.
3. Blue food coloring: While the blue hue is essential for the cookie monster look, you can opt for natural food coloring alternatives such as spirulina powder or blue butterfly pea flower extract to achieve a vibrant blue color without artificial additives.
Cookie Monster Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Equipment
- Stand mixer with a dough hook attachmentMixing bowls
- Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel
- Baking dish
- Sharp knife or unflavored floss
- Oven
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rolls
- ½ cup unsalted butter Melted
- ½ cup Heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup White Sugar
- 2 beaten Eggs
- 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons ground Cinnamon
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Instant Yeast 1 packet
- 1 cup luke warm Milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon blue food coloring
- 4 cups All purpose flour
- 1 cup oreos crushed
Icing
- 8 ounce cream cheese 1 package
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 30 cookies
- ½ cup butter softened
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
- Begin by combining warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix until thoroughly combined, then allow the mixture to rest for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and activates.
Step 2: Incorporate Wet Ingredients
- Once the yeast mixture is activated, add beaten eggs and cooled melted butter to the bowl. Mix everything together on medium-low speed until well combined.
Step 3: Add Flour
- Gradually add all-purpose flour to the mixture, one cup at a time, while continuing to mix. Keep mixing until a sticky dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
- Switch the stand mixer attachment to the dough hook and knead the dough on medium-low speed until it forms a smooth and elastic dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
Step 5: Color the Dough
- Once the dough is formed, add blue food coloring until you achieve the desired color. Mix well until the color is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 6: Allow the Dough to Rise
- Transfer the colored dough to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
Step 7: Preheat the Oven
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when the cinnamon rolls are prepared for baking.
Step 8: Prepare the Oreo Mixture
- In a separate bowl, crush the Oreos and mix them with cinnamon and brown sugar to create the Oreo mixture. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Step 9: Roll Out the Dough
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Then, roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle.
Step 10: Add Filling and Roll
- Spread a layer of softened butter over the rolled-out dough, then evenly sprinkle the Oreo mixture over the buttered surface. Carefully roll the dough into a log starting from one end.
Step 11: Cut into Rolls
- Using a sharp knife or unflavored floss, cut the rolled dough into individual rolls, each about 1.5 inches wide. You should get approximately 12 rolls.
Step 12: Place in Baking Dish
- Arrange the cut rolls in a baking dish, leaving some space between each roll. Pour heavy whipping cream into the bottom of the baking dish, around the rolls.
Step 13: Bake
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake the cinnamon rolls for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. If needed, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Step 14: Prepare the Icing
- While the cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the icing by mixing softened butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 15: Ice the Rolls
- Once the cinnamon rolls are baked and slightly cooled, generously spread the prepared icing over the top of each roll.
Step 16: Garnish and Serve
- To complete the cookie monster theme, sprinkle crushed Oreos and chocolate chip cookies over the icing. Serve the delicious cookie monster cinnamon rolls warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
- Don’t skip the step of creaming together the butter and cream cheese for the icing – it creates a smooth and velvety finish.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, add a bit of cocoa powder to the dough itself.
- Experiment with different food coloring hues to create a rainbow of cookie monster cinnamon rolls.
- Enjoy these cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven for the ultimate indulgent treat, or reheat them in the microwave for a warm and gooey delight.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time and bake them the next day?
A: Yes, you can prepare the cookie monster cinnamon rolls up to the point of baking, cover them tightly, and refrigerate them overnight. Simply allow them to come to room temperature and rise for about 30 minutes before baking.
Q2: Is it necessary to crush the Oreos for the filling, or can I use whole cookies instead?
A: While crushing the Oreos creates a more even distribution of chocolate flavor throughout the rolls, you can certainly use whole cookies for a chunkier texture if preferred.
Q3: Can I substitute the cream cheese in the icing with another ingredient?
A: Cream cheese adds a tangy richness to the icing, but if you’re not a fan, you can substitute it with mascarpone cheese or a combination of butter and milk for a different flavor profile.
Q4: How can I adjust the sweetness level of the icing to suit my preference?
A: You can easily adjust the sweetness of the icing by adding more or less powdered sugar to achieve your desired level of sweetness. Taste as you go to ensure it matches your preference.
Q5: Can I freeze the unbaked cinnamon rolls for later use?
A: Yes, you can freeze the assembled but unbaked cookie monster cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. When ready to bake, allow them to thaw and rise before baking as usual.
Conclusion:
In the delightful world of baking adventures, the journey to creating the perfect cookie monster cinnamon rolls has been a whimsical and indulgent experience. From the first swirl of blue dough to the final drizzle of creamy icing and crushed cookies, these cinnamon rolls bring joy and sweetness to any occasion.
With a perfect balance of flavors and textures, they are sure to become a favorite indulgence for kids and adults alike. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat that oven, and embark on your own cookie monster cinnamon roll adventure – your taste buds will thank you!
