Introduction
These cookies bring two of Sesame Street’s most beloved characters to life in your kitchen with incredible ease. You get to create both Elmo’s cheerful red face and Cookie Monster’s furiously blue one, making them a perfect activity with kids. The simple decorating process is forgiving and fun, letting you focus on the iconic candy eyes and smiles.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 16 ounce Package refrigerator sugar cookie dough (or homemade sugar cookies)
- 16 ounce tub vanilla frosting (or homemade white frosting)
- Red and blue gel food coloring (NOT liquid food coloring – see notes)
- 48 Jumbo candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven according to the package directions for the sugar cookie dough.
- Slice or scoop the cookie dough and place the rounds onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for the time specified on the package, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack.
- While the cookies cool, divide the vanilla frosting evenly between two bowls.
- Add several drops of blue gel food coloring to one bowl and red gel food coloring to the other. Stir each until the color is vibrant and uniform.
- Once cookies are cool, frost half of them with the blue frosting to make Cookie Monster. Frost the other half with the red frosting to make Elmo.
- While the frosting is still wet, gently press two jumbo candy eyes onto the top half of each cookie. For a classic look, place the eyes close together.
- Let the frosting set completely before serving or storing.
Variations
- Character Switcheroo: Use the blue frosting for all cookies and add a few chocolate chip “cookies” in the mouth area for a full Cookie Monster theme.
- Mini Monsters: Use a mini muffin tin to bake tiny cookie cups, then frost and decorate for bite-sized characters.
- Cookie Pops: Before baking, insert a lollipop stick into each dough ball to create fun, handheld character cookies.
- Expression Play: Use a toothpick to draw different smiles or mouths in the wet frosting under the eyes for happy, silly, or surprised expressions.
Tips for Success
- Cool Completely: Frosting will melt and slide right off warm cookies, so ensure they are at room temperature.
- Gel vs. Liquid: Gel food coloring is crucial as it provides intense color without thinning the frosting. Liquid food coloring will make your frosting runny.
- Eye Placement: Have a few extra candy eyes on hand in case of breakage. Press them in firmly so they adhere as the frosting sets.
- Smooth Frosting: For a cleaner fur-like texture, use the back of a spoon to create small swirls or peaks in the frosting after spreading it.
Storage & Reheating
FAQ
Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough?
Absolutely. Use your favorite rolled sugar cookie recipe. Just be sure to roll and cut consistent rounds for even baking.
Why can’t I use liquid food coloring?
Liquid food coloring adds too much moisture, which will make your frosting thin, runny, and difficult to work with. Gel coloring provides vivid color without changing the frosting’s consistency.
My candy eyes keep falling off. What can I do?
Make sure you press them into the frosting while it’s still fresh and wet. If your frosting has crusted, you can use a tiny dot of fresh, plain frosting as “glue” on the back of each eye.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cookies 1-2 days in advance and store them unfrosted in an airtight container. Decorate them the day you plan to serve for the best texture.
How do I get a deeper, more vibrant red and blue?
Gel colors are very concentrated. Add color a little at a time and mix thoroughly. For a true red, you may need to use more coloring than you expect.
Can I use other colors to make different characters?
Of course! This method is perfect for any simple character cookie. Try green for Oscar the Grouch or yellow for Big Bird.