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This hearty Cookie Monster cookie has been my family's favorite dessert treat for years, combining classic chocolate chip cookie flavor with fun, colorful additions that make both kids and adults smile. These thick, chewy cookies stuffed with chocolate chips and cookie pieces create an irresistible texture that channels everyone's favorite blue monster.
I first made these cookies for my nephew's birthday party last year, and they've become our most requested treat. Something about the blue dough and googly eyes makes everyone laugh before they even take a bite.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: Creates the perfect structure for these thick cookies while still allowing a soft texture
- Cornstarch: My secret weapon for extra tender cookies that stay soft for days
- Room temperature butter: Ensures proper creaming with sugar for the ideal cookie texture
- Light brown sugar: Provides moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that complements the chocolate
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering them
- Mini Oreos and Chips Ahoy cookies: Give texture contrast and that iconic Cookie Monster vibe
- Blue gel food coloring: Transforms ordinary cookie dough into a character everyone recognizes
- Candy eyeballs: Provide the finishing touch that brings these cookies to life
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Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Space:
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper and ensure your butter has softened at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F so it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Cream The Base:
- Beat butter with both sugars on medium speed for a full 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the dough which creates the perfect texture. Add eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until completely incorporated. Add the blue gel food coloring, starting with a small amount and adding more until you achieve the perfect Cookie Monster blue.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- Mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Add this mixture gradually to your wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. This prevents flour from flying everywhere and ensures even incorporation.
- Add The Mix-ins:
- Before the dough becomes too thick, add both types of chocolate chips and beat just until incorporated. Roughly chop some of the Chips Ahoy cookies and fold them into the dough along with whole Mini Oreos. The variation in size creates interesting texture throughout each cookie.
- Form Cookie Balls:
- Portion dough into quarter cup balls roughly 3 ounces each. Roll each ball in crushed cookie crumbs, focusing on the top and sides. This creates the fuzzy appearance that makes these cookies truly resemble Cookie Monster.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Space cookies at least 3 inches apart as they will spread. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are set but the center remains slightly underbaked. The cookies should not appear shiny or raw in the center but should still be soft.
- Add The Eyes:
- Immediately after removing from the oven, press candy eyeballs into the warm cookies. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
My favorite part of making these cookies is watching people's faces light up when they see them. My daughter once said they were "too cute to eat" before promptly devouring three of them in one sitting. The combination of familiar cookie flavors with the playful appearance makes them irresistible.
Make-Ahead Options
These Cookie Monster cookies work beautifully as a make-ahead dessert. You can prepare the dough up to three days in advance and keep it refrigerated. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften slightly before forming into balls. You can also freeze portioned dough balls for up to three months. Just add 2-3 minutes to the baking time when baking from frozen.
Customization Ideas
While the classic Cookie Monster is blue, you can easily adapt this recipe for other occasions. Try red dough with red cookie pieces for an Elmo version, or green with chocolate cookies for Oscar the Grouch. During Halloween, black food coloring with orange chocolate chips creates a spooky version, while red and green coloring works perfectly for Christmas cookies. The base recipe remains the same, just swap out the colors and mix-ins to match your theme.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies slightly warm for the ultimate gooey chocolate experience. They pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, making them perfect for after-school treats. For parties, arrange them on a platter surrounded by plain chocolate chip cookies and milk bottles with blue-striped straws. At birthdays, stack them on a tiered stand as the centerpiece of a dessert table. For an extra special treat, sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a Cookie Monster ice cream sandwich.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I make the cookies soft and chewy?
The combination of butter, brown sugar, and cornstarch in the dough helps create a soft and chewy texture. Avoid overbaking; the centers should be slightly underbaked.
- → What makes these cookies blue?
The blue color comes from royal blue and light blue gel food coloring, which is added to the dough during mixing to achieve a vibrant, whimsical effect.
- → Can I skip the candy eyeballs?
Yes, the candy eyeballs are optional and purely for decoration. The cookies will still taste amazing without them!
- → How do I store the cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
- → Can I use different types of cookies for the topping?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute Oreos and Chips Ahoy with any of your favorite cookies to customize the flavor and texture.
- → How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Ensure the dough is chilled before baking, and do not overcrowd the baking sheet. Using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat can also help.