This homemade monkey bread is a delightful pull-apart treat, perfect for breakfast or dessert. Made with soft, buttery dough and coated in cinnamon sugar, it offers a sweet and satisfying experience.
The recipe is simple and requires basic baking techniques. You can customize it with nuts, chocolate chips, or a glaze to enhance the 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, buttery dough, which is rolled into bite-sized pieces and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture.
Traditionally served warm, it’s perfect for gatherings, brunches, or even as a dessert. The fun part is pulling apart the pieces, making it a communal dish that encourages sharing and enjoyment.
The Allure of Cinnamon Sugar
Cinnamon sugar is a classic combination that elevates many baked goods. In monkey bread, it creates a warm, comforting flavor profile that is hard to resist.
The sweetness of the sugar, combined with the warmth of cinnamon, envelops each piece of dough, resulting in a treat that is both satisfying and indulgent. This flavor duo is what makes monkey bread a favorite among many.
Preparing the Dough
The preparation of monkey bread is straightforward, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Start with refrigerated biscuit dough, which simplifies the process and ensures a fluffy texture.
Cutting the dough into quarters allows for easy coating in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This step is crucial for achieving that signature sweet crust that defines this dish.
Layering for Flavor
Layering the dough pieces in a bundt pan adds to the visual appeal and ensures even baking. Each layer can be enhanced with chopped nuts for added crunch and flavor.
Drizzling melted butter over the layers not only adds richness but also helps the cinnamon sugar adhere, creating a beautifully caramelized exterior once baked.
The Baking Process
Baking monkey bread is where the magic happens. As it bakes, the dough rises and transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece. The aroma that fills the kitchen is simply irresistible.
It typically takes about 30-35 minutes in the oven, and the result is a beautifully baked bread that is soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside.
Finishing Touches with Glaze
A light drizzle of glaze adds the perfect finishing touch to monkey bread. Made with powdered sugar and a splash of milk, this glaze enhances the sweetness and gives the bread a glossy appearance.
Once the bread has cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top and watch it glisten. This final step not only adds flavor but also makes for an eye-catching presentation.
Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
This monkey bread features bite-sized pieces of dough rolled in cinnamon sugar, baked until golden brown, and drizzled with a sweet glaze. The recipe takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes 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
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze, optional)
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (for glaze, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Dough: Open the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Toss the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
- Layer the Dough: In a greased bundt pan, layer half of the coated biscuit pieces. Sprinkle half of the chopped nuts (if using) and drizzle half of the melted butter over the top. Repeat with the remaining biscuit pieces, nuts, and butter.
- Add Brown Sugar: Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top layer of dough.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the monkey bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan before inverting onto a serving plate. If desired, mix powdered sugar with milk to create a glaze and drizzle over the warm bread.
- Serve: Pull apart the pieces and enjoy warm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 8 servings
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
Related
- Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread with Canned Biscuits
- Cinnamon Monkey Bread with Jam
- Shawn Johnson’s Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
- Joanna Gaines’ Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe