This monkey bread dough recipe is a delightful base for a sweet, pull-apart treat. Made from scratch, it combines simple ingredients to create a soft and fluffy dough that can be rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked to perfection.
The process is straightforward, making it a fun baking project for families or gatherings. You can customize the filling with nuts, chocolate, or fruit to suit your taste.
Understanding Monkey Bread
Monkey bread, a delightful treat, is known for its pull-apart pieces that are both soft and fluffy. This dessert is perfect for gatherings, brunches, or simply as a sweet indulgence at home.
The name “monkey bread” comes from the fun way it is eaten—people pull apart the pieces with their fingers, reminiscent of how monkeys might share food. This makes it a social dish, ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients for Success
Creating the perfect monkey bread starts with simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Flour, sugar, yeast, and butter form the base of the dough, while a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar adds that signature flavor.
Each ingredient plays a vital role. The yeast is essential for leavening, creating that airy texture, while the butter contributes to the rich taste. The combination of cinnamon and sugar provides a warm sweetness that elevates the overall experience.
The Dough-Making Process
Making the dough is a straightforward process that can be enjoyable for bakers of all levels. Begin by activating the yeast in warm milk, allowing it to froth, which indicates that it’s ready to work its magic.
Next, mix the dry ingredients and combine them with the wet ingredients to form a dough. Kneading the dough is crucial, as it develops the gluten, leading to a chewy texture. After kneading, let the dough rise until it doubles in size, which usually takes about an hour.
Coating and Shaping
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape it into bite-sized pieces. Each piece is rolled into a ball and coated generously in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. This step is where the magic begins, as the coating will caramelize during baking, creating a sweet crust.
After shaping, the dough balls are placed in a bundt pan, where they will rise again before baking. This second rise is important for achieving that fluffy texture that makes monkey bread so irresistible.
Baking to Perfection
Preheat your oven to the right temperature, and once ready, bake the monkey bread until it turns a beautiful golden brown. The aroma that fills your kitchen during baking is simply delightful, promising a treat that’s worth the wait.
After baking, allow the monkey bread to cool slightly before serving. This will help the pieces hold together better when you start pulling them apart. The sight of the glistening, cinnamon-sugar-coated pieces is sure to entice everyone around.
Serving Suggestions
Monkey bread is best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven. It can be served as is, or you can offer a side of icing or a drizzle of caramel for those who want an extra touch of sweetness.
For a more festive presentation, consider adding nuts or chocolate chips to the dough before baking. This not only enhances the flavor but also adds a delightful texture contrast to the soft bread.
Easy Monkey Bread Dough from Scratch
This monkey bread dough is prepared using basic pantry staples like flour, sugar, yeast, and butter. The dough takes about 2 hours to rise and can be shaped into balls, coated in cinnamon sugar, and baked for a deliciously gooey dessert.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture to the flour. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Coating: In a separate bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into small pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then coat in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Second Rise: Place the coated dough balls into a greased bundt pan. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 12 servings
- Calories: 210kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 32g