Meet 'Cookie,' the Gingerbread plushie whose 'cuteness' has melted hearts online

One Christmas-themed plushie, closely related to the iconic TY Beanie Baby, has had the internet in a state of cuteness-induced hypnosis over the past week.

Enter "Cookie," a Brown Gingerbread TY "Beanie Bellies" stuffie, a product catapulted into stardom following a viral X post, which has amassed over 27 million views since it was posted Friday.

Devin Silva, the author of the viral post, thought Cookie looked "so freakish" that it was a little scary when they encountered the stuffed toy hanging from a peg at the local CVS.

It looked "weirdly shaped" and "kind of like a dog," with its glittery blue eyes and embroidered accents made to look like piped white frosting, the 18-year-old shared with NBC News. They purchased Cookie anyway and the rest is history, as they say.

Many came to defend Cookie's look in the replies of Silva's original post, writing that his unique look was "so cute" and or "ugly but in a cute way." Some, though, agreed with Silva's initial assessment.

Silva did not immediately respond to an interview request from USA TODAY.

In the days following Silva's post, many have ventured out to purchase their own Cookie, leading the newly viral product to be sold out online a few times over the course of 24 hours.

Silva even got a shout-out from TY, who issued them a thanks for "showing the internet the cuteness of Cookie" in an X post on Tuesday.

Silva has taken the bit a step further, posting pictures of Cookie in various situations and even creating an "official" fan page to Cookie-specific content. Silva couldn't have predicted, or anticipated, the response but is taking the new-found fame in stride.

"Especially nowadays, we really needed something just to laugh about,” Silva told NBC News.

Cookie is 'sweet as can be,' and is still available

Cookie retails for $3.99 and is still in stock as of Wednesday evening.

"Cookie is sweet as can be, with frosting details and a warm, gingerbread smile. This little treat loves holiday carols and cozy evenings by the fire," according to a TY product description. "Keep Cookie around to add a sprinkle of sweetness to your day!"

The Christmas-themed "Beanie Bellies" keychain also features a poem inscribed on the tag, which per NBC News reads as follows:

"Put milk out for Santa

"And some sweet treats, too

"Let’s wait for the presents

"That he’ll bring for you"

Cookie might not be the only Christmas-themed TY trinket or toy some, including Silva, have their eye on. The purchase of Brrrnard, a snowman plushie, and Nutmeg, a different and slightly larger version of Cookie, have also been discussed online following Cookie's claim to fame.

Internet reacts to Cookie, the TY Gingerbread plushy

As if the mass Cookie-related purchasing craze wasn't enough, the TY Gingerbread plushie has also become the subject of memes, illustrations and even more online.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Cookie' the TY stuffie captures internet's heart, sells out online