Monkey bread is a delightful pull-apart bread made from pieces of dough rolled in cinnamon sugar. This sweet treat is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and is sure to be a hit at any gathering.
The recipe is simple and can be customized with various fillings and toppings, making it versatile for different tastes.
What is Monkey Bread?
Monkey bread is a delightful treat that brings a sense of nostalgia and comfort to any gathering. This pull-apart bread is made from pieces of dough rolled in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture, making it a favorite for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
The beauty of monkey bread lies in its versatility. You can customize it with various fillings and toppings, allowing everyone to enjoy their favorite flavors. Whether served at a family gathering or a casual brunch with friends, this sweet bread is sure to impress.
Ingredients for a Cozy Treat
To create this warm, golden-brown delight, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. The base consists of refrigerated biscuit dough, which makes preparation quick and easy.
You’ll also need granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter to coat the dough pieces. For those who enjoy a richer flavor, adding brown sugar and vanilla extract can elevate the taste. Optional ingredients like chopped nuts or chocolate chips can add a delightful crunch or sweetness.
Preparation Steps
Getting started on monkey bread is straightforward. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, prepare the biscuit dough by cutting each piece into quarters.
Next, mix the granulated sugar with ground cinnamon in a bowl. Roll each biscuit piece in this mixture until well coated. Layer the coated pieces in a bundt pan, and if desired, sprinkle some chopped nuts or chocolate chips between the layers for added texture.
Creating the Sweet Sauce
The sauce is what makes monkey bread truly irresistible. In a small saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar and vanilla extract over medium heat until everything is well combined.
Once melted, pour this luscious sauce evenly over the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan. This step ensures that every bite is infused with a rich, buttery flavor.
Baking to Perfection
Now it’s time to bake! Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and let it bake for 30-35 minutes. The goal is to achieve a golden-brown color while ensuring the inside is cooked through.
After baking, allow the monkey bread to cool for a few minutes before inverting the pan onto a serving plate. This step reveals the beautifully baked bread, ready to be pulled apart and enjoyed warm.
Serving Suggestions
Monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven. Serve it warm, allowing guests to pull apart pieces easily. The soft, fluffy texture combined with the sweet cinnamon sugar coating makes for a delightful treat.
Pairing it with a steaming cup of coffee adds to the cozy experience, making it perfect for a leisurely morning or an afternoon snack. Whether enjoyed alone or shared with loved ones, this monkey bread is sure to bring smiles all around.
Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
This monkey bread features soft, buttery dough pieces coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, baked until golden brown. The recipe takes about 1 hour from start to finish and serves 8 people.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (16 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- Chopped nuts or chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Open the biscuit cans and cut each biscuit into quarters.
- Mix Sugar and Cinnamon: In a bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Coat the Dough: Roll each biscuit piece in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
- Layer in the Pan: In a bundt pan, layer the coated biscuit pieces. If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts or chocolate chips between layers.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter with brown sugar and vanilla extract over medium heat until combined.
- Pour the Sauce: Pour the melted butter mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow to cool for a few minutes, then invert the pan onto a serving plate. Pull apart pieces to enjoy warm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 8 servings
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 45g