These Cookie Monster-Inspired Cupcakes Are Two Treats in One

Ingredients:

• 6-8 drops blue food coloring
• 16 ounces vanilla buttercream frosting
• 18 baked cupcakes, cooled
• 18 marshmallows
• Black gel frosting
• 9 chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos) 

Directions:

1. Add blue food coloring to buttercream frosting a few drops at a time, stirring between each addition, until it’s a bold blue. Cover the cupcakes with an even layer of frosting.
2. Use a fork to make small strokes in the frosting, giving it an almost cross-hatched, fur-like texture.
3. Use your fingers to flatten a mini marshmallow, creating each eye. (This makes them just the right size for the monster’s face and prevents them from flipping over when you pick up the cupcakes later.) Gently press two near the top of each frosted cupcake. Use black gel frosting to dot pupils onto the eyes.
4. Twist a chocolate sandwich cookie in half. (You’ll use one half for each cupcake, which is why you only need 12.) Take that one circle and carefully break it in half, creating two semi-circles. That forms the monster’s mouth! Gently place it just under the marshmallow eyes.