Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe: Sweet Pull-Apart Joy in Minutes

Have you ever craved a warm, gooey monkey bread that makes weekend mornings magical?

Sweet cinnamon aromas will drift through your kitchen, tempting everyone to gather around.

Soft, pull-apart pillows of dough coated in buttery caramel create instant smiles.

Breaking apart each delectable morsel with pure joy and anticipation.

This simple recipe guarantees delicious success, even for novice bakers seeking something special.

Kids absolutely love helping assemble these irresistible treat clusters, making breakfast feel like a playful celebration.

No complicated techniques or fancy equipment needed – just basic ingredients and a dash of enthusiasm.

Bake this crowd-pleasing delight and watch faces light up with pure happiness.

Why Easy Monkey Bread Is A Sweet Favorite For All Ages

  • Effortless Sweet Delight: This monkey bread transforms complex baking into a simple, stress-free dessert that anyone can whip up quickly with minimal baking skills.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Texture Party: Enjoy the irresistible combination of soft, gooey inner pieces and slightly crispy exterior edges that create a fun pull-apart experience perfect for sharing with family and friends.
  • Customizable Flavor Adventure: Easily experiment with different spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even add nuts and chocolate chips to make this recipe uniquely yours, ensuring no two batches are exactly the same.
  • Quick Breakfast or Dessert Star: Ready in under an hour, this versatile treat works wonderfully for lazy weekend mornings, potlucks, brunch gatherings, or as a spontaneous sweet treat that satisfies sudden sugar cravings.

What Goes Into Easy Monkey Bread

Here’s the ingredient section based on the instructions:

Bread Base:
  • Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Soft, pre-made dough that creates the perfect foundation for monkey bread.
  • Pillsbury Biscuits: Quick and convenient option for easy preparation.
Sweet Coating:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides delightful caramelized sweetness and rich flavor.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that adds classic monkey bread taste.
Topping and Binding:
  • Unsalted Butter: Helps create a rich, gooey caramel-like sauce.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall depth of flavor with subtle sweetness.

How To Bake Easy Monkey Bread Without Fuss

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Pan

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a bundt pan and coat every inch with butter or cooking spray, ensuring nothing sticks.

Step 2: Create Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Mix together:
  • White sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Roll each biscuit piece in this sweet mixture until completely covered.

Step 3: Chop And Separate Biscuits

Open the refrigerated biscuit tube and slice each biscuit into quarters. Separate the pieces gently to avoid squishing them.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

Toss the cinnamon-coated biscuit pieces into the greased bundt pan. Don’t worry about perfect placement – the messy look adds character!

Step 5: Craft Caramel Drizzle

In a small saucepan, combine:
  • Brown sugar
  • Butter
  • Vanilla extract

Heat these ingredients until they meld into a rich, smooth caramel sauce.

Step 6: Pour Liquid Gold

Carefully drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the layered biscuit pieces, making sure it seeps between all the nooks and crannies.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the bundt pan into the preheated oven. Bake for about 30-35 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the caramel bubbles.

Step 8: Cool And Serve

Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Carefully invert onto a serving plate. Pull apart the gooey, caramelized pieces and enjoy immediately!

Pro Tips For Baking Easy Monkey Bread

  • Prevent Sticking: Generously coat the bundt pan with butter or cooking spray to ensure the monkey bread releases easily without breaking.
  • Dough Consistency Matters: Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, which helps create a soft, pillowy texture for each bite.
  • Customize Coating: Experiment with different sugar and spice combinations like cinnamon-brown sugar or adding chopped nuts for extra crunch and flavor.
  • Room Temperature Magic: Let the prepared monkey bread rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking to help it rise slightly and achieve a more even texture.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the monkey bread the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to come to room temperature.

How To Store And Reheat Easy Monkey Bread The Right Way

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover monkey bread in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the container tightly to prevent the bread from drying out.
  • Reheat in Oven: Warm individual pieces at 300F for 5-7 minutes, wrapped loosely in aluminum foil. This method helps restore the bread's original soft and gooey texture.
  • Microwave Option: Quickly heat small portions for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Be careful not to overheat, which can make the bread tough and rubbery.
  • Freeze for Later: Wrap cooled monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What To Serve With Easy Monkey Bread

  • Brew a Bold Breakfast Beverage: Pair this sweet monkey bread with a strong, freshly brewed dark roast coffee that cuts through the bread's sugary richness, creating a perfect morning harmony.
  • Complement with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk or a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream to balance the caramelized sugar and cinnamon flavors.
  • Create a Breakfast Bliss Plate: Add a side of crispy bacon or scrambled eggs to provide a savory contrast that elevates the entire breakfast experience, making the monkey bread feel even more indulgent.
  • Enhance with Fruity Freshness: Garnish with fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries to add a bright, tangy element that refreshes the palate between sweet bites.

Tasty Variations For Easy Monkey Bread

  • Chocolate Chunk Monkey Bread: Replace cinnamon sugar coating with melted chocolate and cocoa powder, creating a rich chocolate version that chocolate lovers will adore.
  • Nutty Caramel Monkey Bread: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between dough layers and drizzle with homemade caramel sauce for a decadent upgrade.
  • Savory Herb Monkey Bread: Transform the sweet recipe into a savory option by using garlic powder, dried herbs like rosemary and thyme, and grated parmesan cheese instead of sugar.
  • Berry Cream Cheese Monkey Bread: Fold small cream cheese cubes and fresh blueberries or raspberries into the dough pieces before baking, adding a tangy and fruity dimension to the classic recipe.

Common Questions About Easy Monkey Bread

  • What makes this Monkey Bread so easy to prepare?

The recipe uses pre-made refrigerated biscuit dough, which eliminates the need to make dough from scratch, saving time and simplifying the entire baking process.

  • Can I use homemade dough instead of store-bought biscuits?

While refrigerated biscuit dough works best for quick preparation, you can substitute with homemade dough, but it will require extra time and effort to prepare and might slightly change the texture.

  • Is Monkey Bread suitable for kids to help make?

Absolutely! Kids can easily roll the biscuit pieces in cinnamon sugar and help layer them in the bundt pan, making it a fun family baking activity that’s simple and engaging.

The name comes from how people typically eat it – by picking and pulling apart the sweet, sticky pieces with their fingers, similar to how monkeys might grab and pull food, creating a playful, communal eating experience.

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Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe


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4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Gooey, pull-apart Monkey Bread delivers irresistible comfort straight from your kitchen. Caramel-glazed cinnamon dough nuggets promise a sweet morning delight you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Dough Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (16 ounces/454 grams each) refrigerated biscuit dough (Pillsbury Grands!)

Coating and Sweetening Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Liquid and Optional Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Vanilla glaze or cream cheese icing (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the bundt pan by thoroughly coating the interior with a layer of butter or non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
  2. Separate the refrigerated biscuit dough into individual pieces, creating bite-sized segments that will form the foundation of the monkey bread.
  3. Mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl, creating a fragrant coating mixture for the dough pieces.
  4. Roll each biscuit segment in the cinnamon-sugar blend, completely enveloping each piece to create a sweet, aromatic exterior.
  5. Arrange the coated dough pieces in the prepared bundt pan, layering them loosely to allow for expansion during baking.
  6. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes a smooth, caramel-like sauce.
  7. Pour the warm butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the layered dough pieces, ensuring each segment is lightly coated with the sweet glaze.
  8. Transfer the bundt pan to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and bubbling caramel edges.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, which helps the caramel set and prevents burning.
  10. Carefully invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate, allowing the monkey bread to release with its sticky, caramelized layers intact.
  11. Pull apart the individual pieces and serve warm, enjoying the gooey, cinnamon-sugar coated treat immediately.

Notes

  • Choose a high-quality non-stick bundt pan to ensure easy removal and perfect shape retention of the monkey bread.
  • Coat the pan thoroughly with softened butter or cooking spray, making sure to reach every crevice for effortless serving and a golden crispy exterior.
  • Allow refrigerated biscuit dough to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cutting and rolling, which helps create more uniform dough pieces and easier handling.
  • For a gooey caramel-like finish, mix brown sugar and melted butter before coating the dough balls, creating a rich, decadent sauce that pools at the bottom of the pan during baking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 440
  • Sugar: 36 g
  • Sodium: 560 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jenna Stewart

Jenna Stewart

Head Chef & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern techniques, global cuisines, and flavor development, combined with real-world experience in restaurant operations, business management, and industry internships.

Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.

Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.

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