What? Yes, you read that right. Cheetos. Cookies. If you’re anything like me, your first reaction is disbelief. Then tentative curiosity. And finally, a need to try this weird recipe out for yourself. At least, that’s how my journey went.

I’ll admit, I was nervous about this recipe. However, these cookies turned out better than I thought! There’s something about the savory Cheeto crumbs mixed with the buttery dough that just works. There is a little bit of sugar in here, but not nearly as much as regular sugar cookies. Go ahead and check out the video below to see the process!

Are you brave enough to try this recipe? If so, start by preheating your oven 350 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Then, in a food processor, pulse Cheetos until finely ground. Whisk together flour, half of the crushed Cheetos, cream of tartar, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a separate, large bowl, beat together butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg (and food coloring if using) and mix until creamy. Add dry ingredients, and stir until just combined. Place the remaining Cheetos crumbs into a shallow bowl. Using a small cookie scoop, make tablespoon-sized dough balls. roll in the crumbs, and place on a tray or plate.

Now, here’s the hardest part. You have to cover up the tray of cookies and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour or overnight. I know, I know, you want to bake them right away and taste how delicious or disgusting they are. It’s a weird kind of anticipation, but trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Once you’ve waited as long as you possibly can, place the chilled cookies on the prepared pan 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Still interested in making some Cheetos cookies? Scroll down to get the full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions.