Copycat Insomnia Cookies x Hostess Cloud 9 Cravings Classic Recipe (Tried It)
This Hostess collaboration cookie brought back childhood nostalgia in the best way! The cookie captures that signature Hostess cream filling flavor—sweet, vanilla-forward, with that almost marshmallow-like softness. Insomnia's chewy cookie base makes it feel more premium than the original snack cake. Limited-edition collabs like this never stick around long. 🍪☁️
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- unsalted butter 1 cup
- cream cheese 3 oz
- light brown sugar 1.5 cups
- granulated sugar 0.5 cup
- large eggs 2 pieces
- vanilla extract 2 tsp
- all-purpose flour 2 cups
- bread flour 1.25 cups
- cornstarch 2 tbsp
- baking soda 1 tsp
- sour cream 2 tbsp
- mini marshmallows 1 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
- kosher salt 0.75 tsp
- vanilla bean paste (optional, for filling) 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
62 g
47%
Protein
6 g
5%
Fat
27 g
48%
Cooking steps
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1. Brown the butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup unsalted butter, swirling frequently, until it develops a deep golden color and nutty aroma (5-7 min). Let cool to room temp but not fully solid. Copycat tip: This mimics the rich flavor found in premium Insomnia cookies.
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2. Blend wet ingredients: In a mixer bowl, beat browned butter, 3 oz cream cheese, 1.5 cups light brown sugar, and 0.5 cup sugar until fluffy (2-3 min). Add 2 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp sour cream; mix until just combined.
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3. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1.25 cups bread flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp baking soda, and 0.75 tsp kosher salt.
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4. Combine and fold: Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until almost incorporated. Fold in 1 cup mini marshmallows for that classic Hostess cloud-like filling effect.
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5. Portion and chill: Scoop dough into 9 large balls (about 4 oz each; 3–4 inches wide), spacing well apart. Chill on a tray for at least 1 hour. Chilling is key: It prevents overspreading and creates the signature thick, gooey Insomnia/Crumbl cookie texture.
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6. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake chilled cookies 13–15 minutes until edges are golden and centers look just underbaked. Remove and let rest on the pan 10 min. Copycat tip: These will finish setting as they cool, leaving the middles extra soft (like delivery!).
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7. Optional: Garnish warm cookies with a swirl of marshmallow fluff and a drizzle of vanilla bean paste for dramatic Hostess cream effect. Serve warm for the ultimate nostalgia hit.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this actually taste like the Insomnia Cookies x Hostess Cloud 9 Cravings Classic?
Absolutely! Using brown butter and a blend of all-purpose and bread flour gives a rich, thick cookie base that’s chewy just like Insomnia. Mini marshmallows and an optional marshmallow swirl replicate the Hostess cream flavor, and chilling the dough captures their signature gooey, delivered-warm texture.
Q. Why did my cookies spread too much or turn out flat?
Overspreading usually means your butter was too warm, or you skipped the dough chill. It’s critical to chill the portioned dough for at least an hour so the cookies stay thick like Insomnia/Crumbl. Check that your oven isn’t too hot, and try weighing cookies for even sizing.
Q. Can I substitute all bread flour with all-purpose flour?
You can, but the texture will be a bit softer and less structured. Bread flour adds chew and helps these large cookies keep their height—important for mimicking Crumbl/Insomnia. If you only use all-purpose flour, consider chilling the dough even longer for best results.
Q. How many calories and carbs are in each Insomnia Cookies x Hostess Cloud 9 Cravings Classic copycat cookie?
Each large, Crumbl-style cookie delivers about 530 kcal, with approximately 62g of carbohydrates, 6g of protein, and 27g fat per serving (one cookie weighing 130g).
Q. How should I store these cookies and can I freeze the dough?
Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temp. For longer freshness, freeze cookie dough balls for up to 3 months; bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time for perfect Insomnia-style cookies any time!
