Monkey bread has always been my go-to for a fun, nostalgic treat that brings everyone together. I remember my mom making it for special occasions, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and butter filling the house. This easy monkey bread recipe taps into that same magic, but with simple steps that make it totally doable on a busy weeknight. It’s that gooey, sticky, pull-apart goodness that makes you feel like a kid again. If you’re looking for a truly delicious homemade monkey bread experience without all the fuss, you’ve found it. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Monkey Bread
You’re going to adore this delightful treat for so many reasons:
- The taste is pure comfort: soft dough, gooey caramel, and warm cinnamon create a truly indulgent experience.
- It’s incredibly quick to prepare, making it a perfect easy monkey bread for busy mornings or spontaneous cravings.
- While it’s a sweet treat, it’s made with simple ingredients, offering a delightful way to satisfy a sweet tooth.
- It’s wonderfully budget-friendly, using common pantry staples and readily available biscuit dough.
- This is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages – kids especially love the fun, pull-apart nature of this dish.
- As an easy monkey bread, it requires minimal effort but delivers maximum deliciousness, making you look like a baking pro.
- It’s perfect for holidays, brunches, or just a weekend pick-me-up.
Ingredients for Monkey Bread
Gathering these simple monkey bread ingredients is the first step to baking this delightful treat. You’ll need the base dough, the sweet coating, and a rich, buttery sauce that bakes everything together into gooey perfection. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cans biscuit dough – These form the fluffy, pull-apart base. Make sure they’re fresh for the best texture.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar – This adds a lovely caramelization and deep sweetness when baked.
- 1/8 cup ground cinnamon – The classic spice that gives this bread its signature warm, comforting flavor.
- 1/4 cup sugar – Combined with cinnamon, this creates the sweet coating for our dough balls.
- 3/4 cup butter – Melted, this coats the dough and brown sugar mixture, creating that irresistible sticky texture.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar – For a simple, sweet glaze drizzled over the top after baking.
- 1 tbsp milk – Mixed with the powdered sugar to create the smooth, luscious glaze.
How to Make Monkey Bread
Let’s get baking! Making this delightful monkey bread recipe is a fun process that results in pure gooey goodness. Follow these steps for the perfect pull apart bread experience.
- Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s ready to bake your monkey bread to golden perfection.
- Step 2: Take your biscuit dough and break each biscuit into small, bite-sized balls. Aim for about 3 tablespoons of dough for each ball. This is a fun step, and you’ll see how quickly they come together!
- Step 3: Now, generously grease a deep-dish loaf pan or a bundt pan with butter. This is crucial to prevent your sticky creation from sticking.
- Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine the 1/8 cup ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup sugar. This mixture will give your monkey bread that iconic sweet and spicy flavor.
- Step 5: Roll each of your dough balls in this cinnamon-sugar mixture until they are completely and evenly coated. Make sure every little ball gets its share of the delicious coating!
- Step 6: Layer about half of these coated dough balls into your greased pan. Sprinkle half of the 1/4 cup brown sugar over this first layer. Then, add the remaining dough balls, followed by the rest of the brown sugar. This layering ensures balanced sweetness throughout.
- Step 7: Melt the 3/4 cup butter and carefully pour it evenly over the top layer of dough and brown sugar. Sprinkle any leftover cinnamon-sugar mixture on top for that extra touch of flavor. This step is key to how to make monkey bread that is incredibly moist and rich.
- Step 8: Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the monkey bread is beautifully golden brown and bubbly. The aroma will be incredible!
- Step 9: While it’s baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1 tbsp milk until you have a smooth, pourable glaze. Once the monkey bread is out of the oven, let it cool slightly before drizzling this sweet glaze over the top. This final touch really makes it a sweet pull apart bread.
Pro Tips for the Best Monkey Bread
Want to elevate your monkey bread game? I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years that ensure my homemade monkey bread is always a hit. Follow these simple tips for the ultimate pull-apart experience!
- Always use refrigerated biscuit dough that’s fresh; older dough can sometimes be a bit tougher.
- Don’t overmix the dough balls when coating them in cinnamon sugar – you want them to hold their shape.
- Ensure your pan is greased very well. This is crucial for easy removal and that signature gooey bottom.
- Let the monkey bread cool for at least 10-15 minutes after baking before drizzling the glaze or attempting to invert it.
What’s the secret to perfect Monkey Bread?
The secret to a truly perfect monkey bread recipe is the combination of the buttery cinnamon-sugar coating and the brown sugar layer. Making sure the butter and brown sugar create a gooey caramel sauce as it bakes is key to that incredibly sticky, melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves. For more baking tips, check out these baking tips.
Can I make Monkey Bread ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the monkey bread, including layering the dough balls and brown sugar, up to 24 hours in advance. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the melted butter and bake as usual, but you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Monkey Bread?
A common mistake is overbaking, which can make the dough dry. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time. Also, be sure to grease your pan generously; sticking is the enemy of a beautiful pull-apart bread! Learn more about proper baking techniques.
Best Ways to Serve Monkey Bread
This delightful pull apart bread is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions. For breakfast or brunch, I love serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness. Coffee or a glass of cold milk is always a hit, especially with the kids! If you’re looking for a more decadent dessert, this sticky monkey bread is amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It’s truly a versatile treat that brings smiles to any table. Consider pairing it with a delicious coffee cake.
Nutrition Facts for Monkey Bread
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated nutritional values per serving for this delightful treat. Remember, these are approximations and can vary based on your specific ingredients and portion sizes. This easy monkey bread is a sweet indulgence!
- Serving Size: 1 piece (75g)
- Calories: 245
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 322mg
- Cholesterol: 31mg
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used. For more information on understanding nutrition labels, you can refer to resources like the FDA’s guide.
How to Store and Reheat Monkey Bread
Saving your delicious monkey bread for later is easy! Once it has cooled completely, which usually takes about an hour, you can store leftovers. For short-term storage, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep it longer, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for 3-4 days. This is a great way to enjoy your quick monkey bread recipe even after the initial bake. For longer storage, wrap the cooled monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheating is simple too! For refrigerated portions, microwave for 15-30 seconds or bake at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes until warm. Frozen monkey bread can be reheated similarly, just add a few extra minutes to ensure it’s heated through. You might also find these food storage tips helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Monkey Bread
What is monkey bread?
Monkey bread is a soft, sweet, sticky pastry made from pieces of yeast or biscuit dough baked in a glaze. It’s known for its fun, pull-apart nature, where you can grab individual pieces like a monkey would! It’s a beloved dessert or breakfast treat that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.
Why is it called monkey bread?
The name “monkey bread” comes from its playful resemblance to how monkeys eat, grabbing pieces of food with their hands. It’s a very fitting name for this delicious pull apart bread that encourages you to dig in with your fingers and share the fun!
Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuit dough for monkey bread?
Absolutely! While the easy monkey bread recipe uses canned biscuit dough for convenience, you can certainly use your favorite homemade sweet roll or brioche dough. Just make sure to cut it into similar-sized pieces. The process remains the same, and it can make for an even more decadent sweet pull apart bread experience.
What other flavors can I add to my monkey bread?
You can get creative! Try adding a bit of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mix for a different spice profile. Some people also like to add chocolate chips, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), or even a swirl of cream cheese to the layers for extra flavor. It’s amazing how versatile this simple monkey bread dessert can be!
Variations of Monkey Bread You Can Try
While this classic monkey bread recipe is fantastic, there are so many fun ways to switch things up! Whether you have dietary preferences or just want to explore new flavors, here are a few ideas to make your own unique pull apart bread.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free biscuit dough or a homemade gluten-free cinnamon roll dough. The process is the same, and you’ll still get that delicious gooey texture.
- Savory Monkey Bread: Swap the cinnamon-sugar for garlic powder, Italian herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with melted butter and bake for a savory appetizer or side dish. It’s a delightful twist on the usual sweet pull apart bread.
- Fruity Monkey Bread: Add a layer of thinly sliced apples or pears with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. The fruit becomes tender and sweet as it bakes, adding a lovely fruity dimension.
- Chocolate Lover’s Monkey Bread: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate pieces between the dough layers and over the brown sugar for an extra indulgent treat.
Amazing Monkey Bread: 2 Cans Magic
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 12 people 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this easy monkey bread recipe, a sweet and gooey pull-apart dessert perfect for breakfast or celebrations. Kids and adults love its soft dough coated in cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 cans biscuit dough
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/8 cup ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Break each biscuit dough into small balls and roll them into about 3 tablespoons per ball.
- Grease a deep-dish loaf pan or bundt pan with butter.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the ground cinnamon and sugar.
- Roll each dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Layer half of the dough balls in the greased pan, sprinkle with half of the brown sugar, add the remaining dough balls, then top with the rest of the brown sugar.
- Melt the butter and pour over the top layer, sprinkling any leftover cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
- Bake for approximately 45 minutes until golden brown.
- In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Pour over the baked monkey bread before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh biscuit dough for best results.
- Experiment with bundt pans or loaf pans.
- Avoid overbaking to prevent dryness.
- Layer dough and sugar evenly for balanced sweetness.
- Let the monkey bread cool slightly before serving.
- Grease the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Don’t skip the glaze for added flavor.
- Let dough sit at room temperature briefly before using.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (75g)
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 322mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 31mg
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