Oh my goodness, let me tell you about monkey bread! This glorious pastry is the epitome of warmth and comfort, and it’s seriously one of my all-time favorites. The moment you pull that gooey, sweet bread apart, you can almost hear the happy sighs of everyone gathered around. It’s such a crowd-pleaser! I remember the first time I made it for a family gathering—the kids were practically bouncing off the walls with excitement as they dove into that sticky goodness. Trust me, there’s nothing like the combination of cinnamon and sugar wafting through the house, drawing everyone to the kitchen. Whether it’s a cozy Sunday brunch or a festive holiday get-together, monkey bread always brings smiles and happy memories. So, are you ready to get your hands doughy and create some magic? Let’s do this!
Ingredients for Monkey Bread
Alright, let’s gather all the goodies we need to whip up this delightful monkey bread! Here’s the rundown of everything you’ll need to create this sticky, sweet masterpiece.
Biscuit Dough
You’ll want to grab 2 cans of refrigerated biscuit dough. I usually go for the 16-ounce cans, but any brand works just fine! The dough is the star of the show, so don’t skimp on this part!
Sugar Mixture
Next up, you’ll need 1 cup of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. This combo is where the magic happens—just imagine that sweet, spicy aroma filling your kitchen!
Butter and Brown Sugar
Finally, make sure you have 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted, and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. The melted butter brings everything together and gives that delicious gooeyness, while the brown sugar adds a lovely depth of flavor. Yum!
How to Prepare Monkey Bread
Now that we’ve got our ingredients ready, let’s dive into making this monkey bread! It’s easier than you might think, and I promise, the end result will be worth every second in the kitchen. Grab your apron, and let’s get started!
Prepping the Oven and Dough
First things first, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial because we want that perfect baking temperature for our monkey bread. While the oven is heating up, take your biscuit dough and cut each piece into quarters. I like to use kitchen scissors for this—it’s quick and mess-free! Just picture those little doughy nuggets waiting to be transformed into something magical. Once you’ve got them all cut, set them aside while we move on to the next step.
Mixing Ingredients
Now, let’s make that delicious cinnamon sugar mixture! In a medium-sized bowl, combine your 1 cup of granulated sugar with the 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Give it a good stir until it’s all mixed together—this is where the aroma begins! Now, take each quarter of dough and dip it into the cinnamon sugar, making sure to coat it evenly. Oh, the sweetness is just calling your name! Don’t rush this part; ensure each piece gets a generous dusting of that sugary goodness.
Layering and Baking
Next, it’s time to layer our coated dough pieces in a greased bundt pan. Just toss them in there, stacking them up like a delicious tower of goodness. Now, in a small saucepan, melt your 1/2 cup of unsalted butter along with the 1/2 cup of brown sugar over medium heat. Stir it until it’s nice and smooth—this will be the magic sauce that brings everything together! Once melted, pour this buttery mixture evenly over the layered dough. Now, pop the bundt pan in the oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until it’s beautifully golden brown and your kitchen smells divine! Once it’s done, let it cool for about 10 minutes before inverting it onto a plate. Get ready for that glorious reveal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll have a scrumptious dessert without any fuss!
- Delightfully sweet: The combination of cinnamon, sugar, and buttery goodness is truly irresistible, making each piece a little piece of heaven.
- Perfect for gatherings: Whether it’s a birthday party, holiday brunch, or just a cozy family night, monkey bread is sure to be the star of the show.
- Customizable: You can easily add your favorite nuts or chocolate chips for a personal twist, making it your own!
- Fun to share: There’s something special about pulling apart those gooey pieces with loved ones—it’s a bonding experience in every bite!
- Leftover-friendly: If there’s any left (which is a big if!), it stays delicious for days in an airtight container.
Tips for Success
Alright, my fellow bakers, let’s make sure your monkey bread turns out absolutely perfect! Here are some pro tips that I’ve learned along the way, and I can’t wait for you to try them.
- Coat Evenly: When you’re dipping those pieces of dough into the cinnamon sugar, take your time! Make sure each piece is well-coated. An uneven coating can lead to some parts being too sweet and others not sweet enough. We want every bite to be heavenly!
- Grease it Well: Don’t skip greasing the bundt pan! You want your monkey bread to slide out effortlessly once it’s baked. Trust me, there’s no sadder sight than a delicious loaf stuck in the pan!
- Serve it Warm: Monkey bread is best enjoyed warm and fresh out of the oven! The gooeyness and flavors are at their peak. So gather your friends and family around as soon as it’s cool enough to handle, and watch their faces light up!
- Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to get creative! Toss in some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit to make it your own. It’s a fun way to add a personal touch and surprise your loved ones!
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the baking time. You want that perfect golden brown color, but overbaking can dry it out. If your kitchen smells amazing, you’re probably on the right track!
With these tips in your back pocket, I know your monkey bread will be a hit! Enjoy the process and the delicious results that follow.
Nutritional Information
Alright, let’s chat about the nutritional side of our scrumptious monkey bread! While I believe in enjoying every delicious bite, it’s always good to know what you’re working with. Here are the typical values per serving—this is based on standard ingredients, so keep in mind that variations may occur depending on what you add or substitute.
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 200
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 300mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 3g
These numbers can change a bit if you get adventurous with your add-ins or toppings, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect! Enjoy your monkey bread, and remember that every piece is a little moment of happiness!
FAQ Section
Can I make monkey bread ahead of time?
Absolutely! If you’re planning for a gathering or just want to get a head start, you can prep your monkey bread in advance. Just follow the recipe up to the point of baking, then cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This way, you can enjoy that fresh, warm monkey bread without the last-minute rush!
What can I add to monkey bread for extra flavor?
The sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing your monkey bread! You can fold in some chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for a lovely crunch. Chocolate chips are always a favorite—just toss in a handful between the layers for a gooey surprise. Want to spice things up? Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or even some pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!
How do I store leftovers?
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is a big if!), storing monkey bread is super easy. Just place it in an airtight container at room temperature. It should stay fresh for about 2-3 days. If you want to keep it for longer, just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to enjoy more, you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up—trust me, it’ll still taste delightful!
Can I freeze monkey bread?
You bet! Monkey bread freezes beautifully. Just let it cool completely after baking, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can stay in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight, then warm it up in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing all over again!
For more delicious recipes, check out our blog for inspiration!
Print
Monkey bread: 5 Steps to Comforting Sweet Bliss
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Monkey bread is a sweet, sticky pastry made from pieces of dough rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked together.
Ingredients
- 2 cans of refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the biscuit dough into quarters.
- In a bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
- Dip each piece of dough in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Layer the dough pieces in a greased bundt pan.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar together.
- Pour the butter mixture over the layered dough.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a plate.
Notes
- Serve warm for best flavor.
- Can add nuts or chocolate chips for variation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Monkey bread, dessert, pastry