Monkey bread is a delightful pull-apart bread made from soft, sweet dough coated in cinnamon and sugar. This recipe is designed for a 9×13 pan, making it perfect for sharing at gatherings or family breakfasts.
The preparation is simple, and the result is a warm, gooey treat that is sure to please everyone. You can customize it with nuts or chocolate chips for added flavor.
What is Monkey Bread?
Monkey bread is a delightful treat that brings a sense of nostalgia to many. This pull-apart bread is made from soft, sweet dough, generously coated in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Often served at gatherings or family breakfasts, its warm, gooey texture makes it a favorite among both kids and adults. The beauty of monkey bread lies in its simplicity, allowing for customization with nuts or chocolate chips to cater to different tastes.
Preparing Your Ingredients
To create this delicious monkey bread, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Start with refrigerated biscuit dough, which forms the base of the bread.
Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon are essential for that classic flavor, while melted butter and brown sugar combine to create a rich glaze. Optional ingredients like chopped nuts or chocolate chips can add an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Step-by-Step Process
The preparation of monkey bread is straightforward and can be completed in about an hour. Begin by preheating your oven and greasing a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Next, cut the biscuit dough into quarters and toss them in a cinnamon sugar mixture. Layer the coated pieces in the pan, adding any optional ingredients as you go.
Finally, melt the butter and brown sugar together, pouring the glaze over the dough before baking. This process ensures that each piece is enveloped in sweetness.
Baking to Perfection
Baking monkey bread requires careful attention to time and temperature. The ideal oven temperature is 350°F (175°C), and the bread should bake for about 30 to 35 minutes.
Watch for a golden brown top, which indicates that the dough is cooked through. Once baked, allow the bread to cool slightly before inverting it onto a serving plate. This step helps maintain the integrity of the pull-apart pieces.
Serving Suggestions
Monkey bread is best enjoyed warm, making it a perfect dish for brunch or dessert.
Serve it on a rustic wooden table, perhaps with a few cinnamon sticks for decoration, to enhance the cozy atmosphere. Guests can pull apart the pieces, enjoying the buttery glaze and cinnamon sugar coating with each bite.
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing monkey bread is easy.
Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. For longer storage, consider freezing individual pieces. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat in the oven or microwave for a warm treat that tastes just as good as fresh.
Easy Monkey Bread in a 9×13 Pan

This monkey bread features bite-sized pieces of dough rolled in cinnamon sugar, baked until golden brown, and drizzled with a buttery glaze. The recipe takes about 1 hour from start to finish and serves 8-10 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
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Prepare the Dough: Open the biscuit cans and cut each biscuit into quarters.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Toss the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
- Layer the Dough: Place half of the coated biscuit pieces in the greased pan. If using, sprinkle half of the nuts and chocolate chips over the dough. Add the remaining biscuit pieces on top, followed by the rest of the nuts and chocolate chips.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat, stirring until combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the pan.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the monkey bread to cool for a few minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. Pull apart the pieces and enjoy warm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8-10 servings
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
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