Easy Monkey Bread Recipe: Gooey Cinnamon Magic in Minutes

Baking a crowd-pleasing easy monkey bread recipe brings pure joy to any kitchen gathering.

Sweet aromas will soon fill your home with irresistible warmth.

Sticky, pull-apart dough creates delightful moments of shared pleasure.

Clusters of buttery, cinnamon-coated pieces promise delectable indulgence for everyone.

Soft, pillowy textures melt in your mouth with each heavenly bite.

Simple ingredients transform into a magical treat that sparks smiles.

Unexpected happiness awaits you in this delightful morning or brunch sensation.

Monkey Bread That’s All About Pull-Apart Perfection

• Engage children in a fun baking experience by letting them roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar, creating delicious memories together.
• Using refrigerated biscuit dough eliminates complicated preparation, making this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Irresistibly gooey and sweet, this monkey bread works brilliantly for casual brunches, potlucks, or family gatherings where everyone loves a shared dessert.

What You’ll Need to Make This Monkey Bread

• Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Soft, pillowy dough that creates the perfect texture for monkey bread. Look for tube-style buttermilk biscuits for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a caramelized coating. White sugar works best for even distribution.

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, rich sweetness and helps create a sticky caramel-like sauce. Dark brown sugar offers more intense flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that complements the sweet coating. Fresh ground cinnamon provides the most robust flavor.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a glossy, sticky coating. Unsalted butter allows better control of overall saltiness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract provides the best taste.

• Cooking Spray or Butter: Essential for greasing the bundt pan to prevent sticking. Non-stick cooking spray offers easy application.

How to Assemble and Bake Monkey Bread Without Mistakes

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a bundt pan and coat it thoroughly with butter or cooking spray, ensuring every nook and cranny is well-greased.

Step 2: Craft the Dough Balls

Open a tube of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate each biscuit. Cut or tear each biscuit into quarters, creating bite-sized pieces that will transform into delectable morsels.

Step 3: Create Flavor Coating

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Toss the dough pieces in this sweet mixture, making sure each piece is generously covered.

Step 4: Build Your Monkey Bread

Arrange the sugar-coated dough pieces into the prepared bundt pan, creating layers of deliciousness. Don’t worry about perfect placement- the beauty of monkey bread is its rustic charm.

Step 5: Prepare Caramel Drizzle

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract

Melt these ingredients together, stirring constantly until they create a smooth, golden caramel sauce.

Step 6: Pour and Bake

Carefully pour the caramel sauce over the dough pieces, ensuring an even distribution. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the dough is cooked through.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove the monkey bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully invert onto a serving plate, allowing the gooey caramel to drip over the bread. Pull apart and enjoy the warm, sticky goodness!

Smart Advice for Monkey Bread Success

• Prevent Sticking: Thoroughly coat the bundt pan with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy removal and a perfect, intact monkey bread.
• Customize Coating: Mix different spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the sugar mixture for a unique flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
• Control Sweetness: Adjust the amount of brown sugar and cinnamon to match your taste preferences, making the monkey bread less or more sweet as desired.
• Perfect Dough Technique: Gently separate and roll each biscuit piece in the sugar mixture, ensuring even coating and maximum caramelization during baking.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare the monkey bread the night before, cover, and refrigerate, then bake fresh in the morning for a convenient breakfast treat.

Storing and Warming Monkey Bread Without Drying Out

• Store leftover monkey bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover tightly to prevent drying out and preserve its soft, gooey texture.
• Warm slices at 300F for 10-15 minutes, wrapped in aluminum foil. This method helps restore the bread's original warmth and prevents edges from becoming too crispy.
• Zap individual pieces for 15-20 seconds for a quick warm-up. Add a small damp paper towel to keep the bread moist and prevent rubbery texture.
• Let monkey bread sit out for 30 minutes before serving if you prefer a softer, more relaxed treat. Avoid leaving at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

Best Pairings for Monkey Bread

• Serve this gooey monkey bread alongside a strong, dark roast coffee that cuts through the sweetness and complements the caramelized sugar notes.
• Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream next to each slice, creating a delightful temperature contrast between warm, sticky bread and cool, smooth ice cream.
• Pour a chilled glass of fresh orange juice to provide a bright, citrusy counterpoint that refreshes the palate between rich, buttery bites.
• Garnish with a small handful of toasted pecans or walnuts beside the monkey bread to introduce a satisfying crunch and nutty depth to the overall experience.

Monkey Bread Variations to Shake Things Up

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter for coconut oil and use plant-based milk alternative. Substitute eggs with flax eggs or applesauce for binding.
• Low-Sugar Option: Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Add cinnamon and chopped nuts for extra flavor without additional calories.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use margarine or plant-based butter substitute. Select almond or oat milk instead of regular milk to accommodate dairy restrictions.

Questions You May Have About Monkey Bread

• What ingredients are needed for monkey bread?

You’ll need refrigerated biscuit dough, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, and optional chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.

• Is monkey bread hard to make?

Not at all! It’s actually one of the easiest desserts to prepare. Simply cut biscuits into small pieces, coat them in cinnamon sugar, layer in a bundt pan, and pour a caramel-like sauce over the top before baking.

• Can I make monkey bread ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the monkey bread the night before and refrigerate it. Just cover with plastic wrap and bake it fresh in the morning for a delicious breakfast treat.

• What kind of biscuit dough works best?

Refrigerated pre-made biscuit dough from a tube works perfectly. Choose original or buttermilk style for the best texture and flavor in your monkey bread.

Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 11 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible “Monkey Bread” brings warmth and comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, promising pure delight with each gooey, caramelized bite. Cinnamon-sugar layers melt together, creating a crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for weekend brunches or family gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cans (16 ounces/454 grams each) refrigerated biscuit dough (Pillsbury Grands!)
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (150 grams) packed brown sugar
• ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Optional Toppings:

• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• Vanilla glaze or cream cheese icing (for drizzling)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Assemble all ingredients on a clean, spacious kitchen counter to streamline the preparation process.
2. Separate refrigerated biscuit dough into individual pieces, creating uniform bite-sized segments.
3. Roll each biscuit piece in a luxurious coating of cinnamon and granulated sugar, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
4. Arrange the sugar-encrusted dough pieces in a strategic, overlapping pattern within the generously buttered bundt pan.
5. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine brown sugar, butter, and a hint of vanilla extract, creating a rich, glossy caramel-like sauce.
6. Microwave the sugar mixture in short intervals, stirring between each to achieve a smooth, fully integrated glaze.
7. Carefully pour the warm, decadent sauce evenly over the layered biscuit pieces, allowing it to seep between the crevices.
8. Transfer the prepared bundt pan into the preheated oven, positioning it in the center for consistent heat distribution.
9. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, monitoring the surface to achieve a deep golden-brown color and ensuring the interior is thoroughly cooked.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the monkey bread to cool for 10 minutes, which helps the caramel sauce set and makes removal easier.
11. Invert the bundt pan onto a serving platter, gently tapping to release the entire dessert in its signature pull-apart form.
12. Serve warm, inviting guests to tear apart the sticky, sweet morsels directly from the cake’s sculptural shape.

Notes

• Coating the bundt pan thoroughly prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of the monkey bread.
• Use room temperature butter or cooking spray for more even coverage and better non-stick performance.
• Opt for a silicone brush to spread butter evenly in all the pan’s crevices and corners.
• For a non-dairy alternative, coconut oil works perfectly as a greasing option with a subtle sweet flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg