Looking at the freshly baked monkey bread, I couldn’t help but tear off a warm piece. It was soft and gooey, bursting with cinnamon-sugar flavors. This homemade pull-apart bread is a favorite in our home. I’m excited to share this easy recipe with you.
It’s the ultimate comfort food, great for holidays, weekend brunches, or when you just want something sweet and indulgent.
Key Takeaways
- Homemade Bread from scratch is easy to make and yields a soft, pillowy, and gooey end result.
- The recipe features a rich, homemade dough that rises to perfection, creating a superior texture compared to shortcuts using canned biscuits.
- Coating the dough balls in a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture and baking them in a brown sugar sauce produces an irresistible flavor profile.
- This monkey bread recipe is versatile, allowing for customizations and variations to suit your taste preferences.
- Homemade monkey bread is the perfect sweet and indulgent breakfast or dessert, perfect for holiday gatherings or weekend brunch.
What is Monkey Bread?
A Fun and Indulgent Pull-Apart Bread
Monkey bread is a sweet treat loved by many for generations. It’s made from dough balls coated in cinnamon-sugar, baked in a Bundt pan. This creates a gooey, sticky, and delicious breakfast or dessert.
The recipe has been viewed over 3 million times since 2014. It’s a classic comfort food, loved in many homes. The mix of sugar and butter makes it indulgent.
To make it, you cut biscuit dough into small pieces and coat them in sugar-cinnamon. This way, each bite is like pulling apart a piece of food. It’s a warm, fluffy, and sweet treat perfect for sharing.
“Monkey bread is intended to be eaten by pulling off pieces with fingers, much like how a monkey would eat.”
Monkey bread is great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack to share. Its flavor and fun presentation make it a favorite. It’s a staple in kitchens everywhere, loved for its versatility and taste.
Advantages of Making Monkey Bread From Scratch
Choosing to make monkey bread from scratch is a big step up. The homemade dough is easier to make and tastes better. It’s softer and more flavorful than the store-bought kind.
With homemade dough, you have more control over what goes into it. You can add your favorite spices, sweeteners, and even extra ingredients. This lets you make a bread that’s truly your own.
| Metric | Homemade Monkey Bread | Store-Bought Dough |
|---|---|---|
| Dough Texture | Soft, rich, and fluffy | Firm and dense |
| Flavor | Richer, more complex | Basic and one-dimensional |
| Ingredient Control | Full control over ingredients | Limited control due to pre-made dough |
| Customization | Endless possibilities | Restricted to pre-determined flavors |
Making homemade monkey bread from scratch lets you create a special treat. It’s better than anything you can buy. This hands-on method makes your monkey bread experience even better.
Monkey Bread From Scratch: Easy Recipe
Craving something sweet and irresistible? This homemade monkey bread recipe is perfect! It’s a mix of fluffy dough, butter, cinnamon, and sugar. It’s like a giant Bundt pan of gooey cinnamon rolls, loved by all.
This recipe has four main parts: the homemade dough, the dough ball coating, the brown sugar sauce, and a vanilla icing. It’s easy to follow, and the result is a delicious, pull-apart treat that wows everyone.
Ingredients and Instructions
To make this easy monkey bread recipe, you’ll need:
- 2 packets of 16.3-ounce refrigerated biscuit dough
- 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 cup of melted butter
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup of powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons of milk
Here’s how to make this homemade monkey bread:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 10 to 12-cup Bundt pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Cut the biscuit dough into small pieces and toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Arrange the coated dough balls in the prepared Bundt pan.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Pour this mixture over the dough balls.
- Bake the monkey bread for 35-40 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and the center is cooked through.
- Once baked, let the monkey bread cool for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and milk to create a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread and serve immediately.
Enjoy this homemade monkey bread while it’s warm and gooey. The fluffy dough, cinnamon sugar, and sweet glaze make it a real treat for your taste buds!
Ingredients and Instructions
To create the monkey bread dough, you need just 7 ingredients:
- 1½ cups of warm whole milk (105-110°F)
- 2¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast
- 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 5 cups of all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Begin by proofing the yeast in the warm milk for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy. Then, in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, mix the yeast mixture, melted butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and salt. Start on low speed until a shaggy dough forms. Switch to medium speed and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Move the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 to 1½ hours. It should double in size. The monkey bread dough is now ready to be shaped and coated before baking.
Shaping and Coating the Dough Balls
Starting with the shaping monkey bread means dividing the dough into small pieces. You’ll need to make 40-45 balls, each about 1.25 inches big. This size is perfect for the pull-apart texture when baked.
Then, it’s time for the cinnamon sugar monkey bread coating. Melt butter in a bowl and coat each dough ball evenly. After that, roll them in a mix of sugar and cinnamon until fully covered. This coating gives the monkey bread its gooey cinnamon roll taste.
When coating the dough balls, place them in layers in a greased Bundt pan. The more you pack them, the better they’ll stick together. This creates the pull-apart sections everyone loves.
Take your time with this step for the best monkey bread texture. With care, you’ll get a pan full of beautifully coated dough balls. They’re ready to rise and bake into a golden, cinnamon-scented masterpiece.
Rising and Baking
Crucial Steps for Light and Fluffy Monkey Bread
To get the perfect light and fluffy texture in your homemade rising monkey bread, focus on the rising process. First, arrange the coated dough balls in a Bundt pan. Then, let them rise for about 20 minutes to puff up slightly before baking. This step is essential for achieving the soft and airy crumb that makes baking monkey bread so appealing.
After the dough rises, pour the buttery brown sugar sauce over it. This topping will caramelize and soak into the dough while baking, creating a golden-brown crust. Finally, bake the light and fluffy monkey bread until it’s perfectly done.
| Total Time | Servings | Prep Time | Rating | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour 20 minutes | 12 servings | 45 minutes | 5 out of 5 (3 votes) | April 18, 2024 |
The secret to light and fluffy monkey bread is in the rising and baking steps. By letting the dough rise and then baking it to perfection, you’ll get a pull-apart bread that’s sure to impress. It will delight your senses and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Brown Sugar Sauce
The secret to the irresistible gooey, sticky texture of homemade monkey bread is the decadent brown sugar sauce. This sauce is poured over the dough balls before baking. It creates a luscious caramelized flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
To make the easy brown sugar sauce, you’ll need melted butter, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract. The mixture is poured over the monkey bread dough. This ensures each bite is coated in the rich, sweet sauce. As the bread bakes, the sauce caramelizes, forming a delectable glaze.
The ratio of brown sugar to butter in the sauce is crucial. It determines the overall sweetness and stickiness of the final dish. Most recipes use a 1:1 ratio of brown sugar to melted butter, with just a teaspoon of vanilla for added depth of flavor.
- Melt ½ cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in ½ cup of dark brown sugar until completely dissolved.
- Add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Pour the hot brown sugar sauce over the uncooked monkey bread dough balls before baking.
The homemade brown sugar sauce is what makes this monkey bread special. Its rich, buttery flavor and gooey texture are unmatched. It’s a must-try for any true monkey bread enthusiast.
“The brown sugar sauce is the star of the show in this homemade monkey bread. It truly takes the dish to the next level of indulgence.”
Monkey Bread From Scratch
This homemade monkey bread is a mix of cinnamon rolls and pull-apart bread. The from-scratch dough is soft and rich, making it easy to work with. Each piece is covered in buttery cinnamon-sugar, making it indulgent and sweet.
The brown sugar sauce poured over the dough before baking makes it sticky and caramelized. This is what makes the monkey bread so special.
The easy monkey bread recipe needs just a few ingredients. It takes some time, but it’s worth it. The dough rises while you do other things, making it easy to prepare.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 minutes | 30 minutes | 2 hours & 30 minutes | 3 hours & 40 minutes |
To make the homemade monkey bread, start by preparing the dough. Then, shape it into balls and coat them in buttery cinnamon-sugar. The brown sugar sauce is key for the gooey, caramelized texture.
With patience and some effort, you’ll have a delicious pull-apart treat. It’s sure to impress anyone.
“This from-scratch monkey bread is the ultimate indulgence. The soft, rich dough and the gooey, caramelized texture make it irresistible.”
Make this easy monkey bread for any special occasion or just because. It’s a new family favorite. Enjoy it warm with coffee or hot chocolate, and savor every bite.
Serving and Storing
Homemade monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh and warm. The soft, gooey pieces are irresistible when they’re just out of the oven. For the ultimate treat, serve it right away. This lets the brown sugar sauce soak into every corner.
Tips for Enjoying Homemade Monkey Bread
- Savor the monkey bread while it’s still warm, straight from the oven. The soft, pillowy texture and caramelized flavors are at their peak.
- Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to restore the soft, gooey texture if you have any leftovers.
- Store any leftover monkey bread at room temperature for up to 3 days. Be sure to keep it in an airtight container to preserve the freshness.
- Freeze leftover monkey bread for longer storage. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave before serving.
With these simple tips, your homemade monkey bread will stay a delightful treat. Enjoy it warm from the oven or later as leftovers.
“The warm, gooey texture and caramelized flavors of homemade monkey bread make it an irresistible indulgence.”
Variations and Customizations
The classic cinnamon-sugar monkey bread is loved by many. But, this pull-apart bread can be made in many ways. You can add your own twist or try new flavors. The choices for customized monkey bread are endless.
For a nutty flavor, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the mix. The nuts add a buttery crunch that goes well with the soft dough. Or, try a flavored monkey bread like maple-pecan or chocolate-hazelnut.
For a fruity twist, add diced apples, dried cranberries, or lemon zest. These add a sweet and tangy flavor to the rich dough.
| Monkey Bread Variation | Ingredients | Baking Time | Serving Size | Calories per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savory Monkey Bread | Garlic, Parmesan, Herbs | 25 minutes | 10 servings | 102 calories |
| Apple Fritter Monkey Bread | Diced Apples, Cinnamon, Brown Sugar | 30 minutes | 12 servings | 447 calories |
| Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread | Cinnamon, Brown Sugar, Cream Cheese Frosting | 25 minutes | 8 servings | 385 calories |
There are countless ways to make flavored monkey bread. You can go for savory, sweet, or mix both. Just remember, the key is to have fun and try new things. With a bit of creativity, you can make the classic monkey bread into something truly customized and unique.
Conclusion
Homemade monkey bread is a treat for anyone who loves cinnamon rolls or pull-apart breads. It’s soft, rich dough and gooey caramelized texture make it a delightful breakfast or dessert. Even beginners can make perfect monkey bread at home with our easy steps.
This easy monkey bread recipe is perfect for brunch, holidays, or a weekend treat. It’s a favorite among families because of its great taste and texture. Plus, our monkey bread tips help you enjoy it even more.
So, get your ingredients ready and preheat your oven. Homemade monkey bread is a sensory delight that will have you and your loved ones wanting more. It’s a sweet, cinnamon-filled treat that’s hard to resist.