Monkey bread is a delightful, pull-apart treat thatโs perfect for any occasion, whether itโs breakfast, dessert, or a quick snack. Made with soft biscuit dough coated in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with buttery caramel sauce, this easy monkey bread recipe is irresistible. Itโs a crowd-pleaser thatโs surprisingly simple to prepare.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy:ย Uses store-bought biscuit dough for ultimate convenience.
- Kid-Friendly:ย A fun and hands-on recipe that kids love to help make.
- Crowd-Pleaser:ย Perfect for brunches, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.
- Customizable:ย Easy to add your own spin with different flavors and toppings.
Ingredients
(Tip: Youโll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Canned biscuit dough
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Optional toppings: nuts or raisins
Directions
- Preheat the Oven:ย Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and grease a bundt pan.
- Prepare the Dough:ย Cut the biscuit dough into bite-sized pieces.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:ย In a bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Toss the dough pieces in the mixture until well coated.
- Layer the Dough:ย Layer the coated dough pieces into the greased bundt pan. Add optional nuts or raisins if desired.
- Make the Caramel Sauce:ย Melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth and combined.
- Pour the Sauce:ย Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the dough pieces in the pan.
- Bake:ย Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve:ย Let the monkey bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan before inverting it onto a serving plate.
Servings and Timing
- Servings:ย 8-10 servings
- Prep Time:ย 10 minutes
- Cook Time:ย 35 minutes
- Total Time:ย 45 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Chip:ย Add chocolate chips between the dough layers for a gooey chocolate twist.
- Cream Cheese Filling:ย Insert small dollops of cream cheese between dough pieces.
- Savory Option:ย Swap the sugar and cinnamon for garlic, cheese, and herbs to create a savory monkey bread.
- Glaze:ย Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze after baking for extra sweetness.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage:ย Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating:ย Warm individual portions in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or reheat the whole loaf in a 300ยฐF oven for 10 minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I make monkey bread ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the monkey bread and refrigerate overnight. Bake it fresh the next day.
2. Can I use homemade dough?
Absolutely! You can use your favorite yeast dough or sweet bread dough instead of canned biscuits.
3. What type of pan should I use?
A bundt pan works best, but you can also use a loaf pan or a cake pan. Adjust baking time as needed.
4. Can I freeze monkey bread?
Yes, freeze baked monkey bread for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
5. Why is my monkey bread dry?
Dry monkey bread may result from overbaking or not using enough sauce. Be generous with the caramel sauce.
6. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, but butter adds a richer flavor that complements the caramel sauce.
7. How can I tell if the bread is done?
The top should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
8. Can I add fruit to monkey bread?
Yes, try adding diced apples or dried cranberries for extra flavor.
9. Do I have to grease the pan?
Yes, greasing the pan ensures that the monkey bread releases easily after baking.
10. Can I use a sugar substitute?
Yes, you can use substitutes like Stevia or coconut sugar, though the flavor and texture may vary.
Conclusion
This easy monkey bread recipe is a show-stopping treat thatโs as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you enjoy it as a sweet breakfast, dessert, or shareable snack, itโs bound to be a hit. Try it with your favorite variations and serve it warm for a deliciously sticky, caramel-filled indulgence.
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Easy Monkey Bread
Description
This Easy Monkey Bread recipe creates a gooey, cinnamon-sugar delight thatโs simple to prepare and perfect for sharing. Using refrigerated biscuit dough makes it quick and convenient.
Ingredients
- For the Bread:
- 3 cans (7.5 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- For the Sauce:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Grease a 12-cup Bundt pan thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
- Coat the Dough:
- In a large plastic bag, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Cut each biscuit into quarters.
- Add the biscuit pieces to the bag in batches, shaking to coat them evenly with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Assemble the Bread:
- If using nuts, sprinkle a layer of chopped pecans or walnuts in the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan.
- Layer the coated biscuit pieces in the pan, adding more nuts between layers if desired.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the Sauce:
- Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the layered biscuit pieces in the pan.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the Monkey Bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Place a serving plate over the Bundt pan and carefully invert to release the bread.
- Serve warm, allowing guests to pull apart pieces with their fingers.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider incorporating raisins or dried cranberries along with the nuts.
- Monkey Bread is best enjoyed fresh and warm but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave for a few seconds to restore warmth and softness.
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