The best part about monkey bread isn’t just the irresistible sweetness or the gooey caramel coating that sticks to your fingers (though, let’s be honest, that’s a big draw). It’s the joy of tearing apart those little doughy pieces, each one soaked in butter and cinnamon sugar, and knowing you’re about to indulge in the ultimate comfort food. There’s something so satisfying about the way the dough puffs up and caramelizes as it bakes, turning into a golden, sticky masterpiece. As the bread bakes, the aroma fills the house, and you can’t help but start dreaming about the first bite.
It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t just satisfy your taste buds; it invites you to share a moment with the people around you. Whether you’re gathering friends for a weekend brunch or just treating yourself to a cozy afternoon, monkey bread has a way of bringing everyone together. It’s a warm hug in dessert form, and that’s why it’s often passed around at family gatherings or celebrations. Even if you’re baking it solo, there’s something about the process that feels like a celebration, a little act of love in the kitchen.
Key Ingredients in Monkey Bread
To create the perfect monkey bread, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create a flavor-packed, gooey treat. Let’s take a closer look at each one and why it plays such an important role in this deliciously comforting dessert.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough
This is the heart of the monkey bread. The dough provides a fluffy, soft texture that puffs up beautifully as it bakes. The pre-made biscuits are a time-saver and offer the perfect base for soaking up all the gooey caramel goodness. - Granulated sugar
The granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps to create that crispy, caramelized exterior once it bakes. It’s the first layer of sweetness that pairs so well with the cinnamon. - Ground cinnamon
Cinnamon brings that warm, cozy spice to the mix. It’s the quintessential flavor in monkey bread that blends perfectly with the sugar, adding a comforting and aromatic element that’s just irresistible. - Unsalted butter, melted
Butter is the secret to all that buttery goodness that seeps into the dough, making every bite rich and indulgent. It also helps the sugar and cinnamon stick to the dough, creating that irresistible caramelized effect. - Brown sugar, packed
Brown sugar adds depth and a rich, molasses-like flavor that contrasts beautifully with the granulated sugar. It helps form the gooey, sticky caramel sauce that’s one of the best parts of this dessert. - Chopped pecans (optional)
Chopped pecans offer a lovely crunch and a nutty flavor that balances out the sweetness. They’re totally optional, but if you’re a fan of texture and extra flavor, they’re definitely worth adding!
How to Make Monkey Bread
- STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the first step to ensuring your monkey bread bakes to golden, gooey perfection. Preheating your oven allows the dough to rise and bake evenly.
- STEP 2: Grease a bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter. Make sure every nook and cranny of your bundt pan is coated well, so your monkey bread doesn’t stick when it’s time to flip it out. A good grease job is key to a smooth release!
- STEP 3: Open both cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate the biscuits. Carefully peel apart the biscuits. Don’t rush this step—each biscuit needs to be cut into quarters, so it’s important they’re separated properly first.
- STEP 4: Cut each biscuit into quarters using kitchen scissors or a knife. Cut each biscuit into four equal pieces. Kitchen scissors work like a charm here, but a sharp knife will do the job too. You want each piece to soak up all that sugary goodness!
- STEP 5: In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This cinnamon-sugar mixture is what will coat your dough pieces in flavor and create that beautiful caramelized crust. Stir it together well so it’s evenly blended.
- STEP 6: Toss the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated. Drop the biscuit pieces into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and toss them gently until each piece is fully coated. It’s all about getting that sweet, spicy flavor on every little dough nugget.
- STEP 7: Layer the coated biscuit pieces in the prepared bundt pan, stacking them randomly. Layer the pieces in the bundt pan as you go. Don’t worry about making it perfect—just pile them in randomly. The uneven layers create a deliciously rustic look once it bakes.
- STEP 8: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Mix the melted butter and brown sugar until they form a smooth, sticky mixture. This is the magic sauce that will soak into the dough and create that irresistible caramel glaze.
- STEP 9: Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan. Drizzle the buttery brown sugar mixture evenly over the biscuit layers. Make sure all the pieces get some love from the sauce—it’s the key to the gooey, caramelized finish.
- STEP 10: If you’re using pecans, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the biscuit layers. For an extra crunch and nutty flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans over the biscuit layers. They’ll toast up as the bread bakes and add a delightful texture.
- STEP 11: Place the bundt pan on the center rack of the preheated oven. Slide the pan into the oven and let the magic happen. Position it right in the middle of the oven so the heat circulates evenly around your monkey bread.
- STEP 12: Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the monkey bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check your monkey bread at the 30-minute mark. It’s done when it’s golden brown and a toothpick poked into the center comes out without any gooey batter.
- STEP 13: Remove the bundt pan from the oven and allow the monkey bread to cool for 10 minutes. Let your monkey bread rest for about 10 minutes to cool slightly. This helps it firm up a little before you flip it out of the pan.
- STEP 14: Invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate or large dish to release the monkey bread. Carefully invert the pan onto a plate or serving dish. With the right greasing, it should come out easily—just make sure you give it a gentle tap or wiggle if needed.
- STEP 15: Serve warm and enjoy the sweet, cinnamon-filled goodness. Now for the best part—dig in! Serve your monkey bread while it’s still warm, and let the gooey, cinnamon-sugar-filled layers melt in your mouth. Enjoy every last sticky bite!
Serving Suggestions for Monkey Bread
Top it with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze
If you’re in the mood for a little extra indulgence (who isn’t?), whip up a quick cream cheese glaze to drizzle over the top of your warm monkey bread. The tangy sweetness of the cream cheese balances out the cinnamon and sugar perfectly. Just mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, a splash of vanilla, and a little milk until it’s smooth and creamy. Drizzle it generously over the monkey bread, and watch it disappear in minutes.
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
For a dessert that’s almost too good to be true, serve your monkey bread with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The warm, gooey bread and the cold, creamy ice cream create the perfect contrast, and the cinnamon sugar melts into the ice cream as you dig in. Trust me—this combo will have everyone asking for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
Pair with fresh fruit for a brunch treat
Monkey bread doesn’t just have to be a sweet, after-dinner indulgence. It’s also perfect for brunch! Serve it alongside some fresh berries or sliced fruit to balance out the richness. The freshness of the fruit adds a pop of color and a refreshing contrast to the warm, spiced bread. It’s like a cozy, indulgent breakfast, but with a little extra flair!
How to Store Monkey Bread
If you somehow have leftovers (which, let’s be honest, doesn’t happen often), you’ll want to make sure your monkey bread stays as fresh and gooey as possible. To store it, simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It’s best to keep it at room temperature for up to two days, so you can easily grab a piece whenever that cinnamon-sugar craving hits.
For longer storage, you can pop it in the fridge. Just make sure it’s wrapped well to prevent it from drying out. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds or heat it in the oven wrapped in foil to bring back that just-baked, gooey goodness. The flavors will still be there, and the texture will soften right up.
If you want to freeze your monkey bread, it’s just as easy! After it’s fully cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to indulge, let it thaw at room temperature and warm it up as usual. Trust me, it’ll be just as delicious as the day you baked it!
Conclusion
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Happy baking, my friend!
Monkey Bread
Description
Soft, buttery biscuit pieces are drenched in cinnamon sugar, baked into a gooey, pull-apart masterpiece. Each bite is a warm, sweet hug, with a satisfying crunch on the outside and a melt-in-your-mouth center. Perfect for sharing!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Grease a bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter to ensure the monkey bread doesn't stick.
-
Open both cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate the biscuits.
-
Cut each biscuit into quarters using kitchen scissors or a knife.
-
In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
-
Toss the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
-
Layer the coated biscuit pieces in the prepared bundt pan, stacking them randomly.
-
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar.
-
Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan.
-
If you’re using pecans, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the biscuit layers.
-
Place the bundt pan on the center rack of the preheated oven.
-
Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the monkey bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
-
Remove the bundt pan from the oven and allow the monkey bread to cool for 10 minutes.
-
Invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate or large dish to release the monkey bread.
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Serve warm and enjoy the sweet, cinnamon-filled goodness.
Note
- Make sure to grease the bundt pan well to avoid the dough sticking during baking.
- For an extra gooey texture, increase the brown sugar or add a little vanilla extract to the butter mixture.
- If you don’t have pecans, other nuts like walnuts or almonds can be used, or omit them entirely.
- Check the doneness of the monkey bread by gently pressing on the top; it should feel firm and slightly spring back.
- Leftover monkey bread can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
