Returned: The missing golden Leibniz biscuit (Picture: EPA)

A Cookie Monster who pinched a century-old prized golden emblem from a famous German biscuit-maker has returned the ill-gotten gains.

The large golden biscuit had hung above the Bahlsen biscuit company’s HQ since 1913 before it suspiciously went missing last week.

The biscuit hangs outside Hanover University (Picture: EPA)

The mystery was solved when it was found wrapped in a red ribbon hanging from a monument of a horse in front of Hanover University on Monday.

Police confirmed it was in fact the missing biscuit which has become famous around the world.


The Cookie Monster poses for the camera (Picture: EPA)

A note attached read: ‘Because Werni [company chairman], like me, so loves the biscuit, and is now always crying and misses the biscuit so much, I’m giving it back.’



The self-styled Cookie Monster extortionist demanded the firm donated biscuits to sick children in hospitals across Hanover for its safe return.

Mr Bahlsen agreed to the ransom last week but there have been no further details on when the demands will be officially met.

The gilded sign has hung above Bahlsen’s HQ since 1913 (Picture: EPA)

A ransom note had appeared in a German newspaper which read: ‘I have the cookie! And you want it.’

Bahlsen has denied it was a publicity stunt.