Monkey bread is a delightful pull-apart bread made from soft, sweet dough coated in cinnamon and sugar. This recipe guides you through making it from scratch, ensuring a fresh and warm treat for any occasion.
The process involves preparing the dough, rolling it into balls, and coating them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking. It’s a fun and interactive dessert that can be enjoyed by all.
What is Monkey Bread?
Monkey bread is a delightful treat that brings joy to any gathering. This pull-apart bread is made from soft, sweet dough, generously coated in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
The fun of monkey bread lies in its interactive nature. Guests can easily pull apart the fluffy pieces, making it a perfect dessert for sharing. Each bite offers a warm, comforting experience that is hard to resist.
Ingredients for Success
To create this mouthwatering dessert, a few key ingredients are essential. Active dry yeast is crucial for achieving that fluffy texture, while warm milk helps activate the yeast.
Granulated sugar adds sweetness, and melted butter enriches the dough. A touch of vanilla extract enhances the flavor, while all-purpose flour and salt provide structure. The cinnamon-sugar coating is what truly makes this bread irresistible.
The Baking Process
The journey to making monkey bread begins with activating the yeast. This step is vital for ensuring the dough rises properly.
Once the dough is prepared, it is kneaded until smooth and elastic. After a period of rising, the dough is divided into small pieces, rolled into balls, and coated in melted butter and cinnamon-sugar. This process creates layers of flavor and texture.
Creating the Perfect Coating
The cinnamon-sugar mixture is what sets monkey bread apart. Combining sugar with ground cinnamon creates a sweet, aromatic coating that clings to each dough ball.
Dipping the dough balls in melted butter before rolling them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture ensures that every piece is generously coated. This step is crucial for achieving that signature gooeyness once baked.
Baking and Serving
After arranging the coated dough balls in a bundt pan, the bread undergoes a second rise. This step allows the pieces to meld together, creating a cohesive and fluffy loaf.
Baking the monkey bread at the right temperature is essential for achieving a golden-brown crust. Once out of the oven, allowing it to cool slightly before serving enhances the experience, making it easier to pull apart and enjoy.
Enjoying Monkey Bread
Monkey bread is best served warm, allowing the melted butter and cinnamon-sugar to shine. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful dessert.
Whether enjoyed at a family gathering or a cozy night in, this treat is sure to bring smiles. Pair it with a cup of coffee or tea for a comforting experience that everyone will love.
Easy Homemade Monkey Bread Recipe
This monkey bread features fluffy dough pieces baked together in a bundt pan, creating a gooey and sweet treat. The recipe takes about 2 hours from start to finish and serves 8 people.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for coating)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Add the yeast mixture, flour, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Coating: In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Shape Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into small pieces (about 1 inch each). Roll each piece into a ball.
- Coat Dough Balls: Dip each dough ball in melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Arrange them in a greased bundt pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the bundt pan with a towel and let it 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.
- Cool and Serve: Allow it to cool for a few minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Pull apart and enjoy warm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 8 servings
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 45g