Monkey bread is a delicious, gooey, pull-apart pastry made from bite-sized pieces of dough coated in cinnamon sugar and baked together with butter and brown sugar. It’s soft, sweet, and perfect for sharing at breakfast, brunch, or as a fun dessert. The name “monkey bread” comes from the way you eat it—pulling apart little pieces, almost like a monkey would grab food! It’s easy to make, comforting, and loved by kids and adults alike.
Quick Facts
| Course | Breakfast / Dessert |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 8 |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 35 minutes |
| Calories | 350 per serving |
Equipment Needed
To make monkey bread successfully, you’ll want the right tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bundt pan or tube pan: This shape helps the bread bake evenly and gives it that classic monkey bread look.
- Mixing bowls: For combining dough and other ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy matters when measuring flour, sugar, and spices.
- Whisk or fork: To mix ingredients smoothly.
- Small saucepan: For melting butter and making the sugar syrup.
- Wooden spoon or spatula: To stir and fold ingredients gently.
- Cooling rack: To let the monkey bread cool before serving.
- Knife or scissors: To cut dough into bite-sized pieces if using fresh dough.
These tools are common in most kitchens, so you probably already have everything you need.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough or homemade dough
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- Optional: chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), raisins, or glaze for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the bundt pan thoroughly.
- Cut the biscuit dough into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Coat each dough piece with cinnamon sugar, then place pieces into the bundt pan.
- Sprinkle nuts or raisins if using.
- Melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan until bubbly.
- Pour the butter mixture evenly over the dough in the bundt pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a plate.
- Pull apart and enjoy!
Essential Note
Use refrigerated biscuit dough for quick prep or homemade yeast dough for a richer flavor. Make sure to grease the pan well to prevent sticking. Watch baking time closely; underbaking leaves the center doughy, while overbaking dries the bread. The melted butter and brown sugar mix caramelizes and binds the dough pieces, creating that signature gooey texture. If you want to add a glaze, wait until the bread cools slightly so it doesn’t melt away.
