Imagine that intoxicating aroma of cinnamon and sugar filling your kitchen on a cozy morning—the Easy Monkey Bread Recipe delivers that and so much more. This nostalgic, pull-apart treat is gloriously soft, gooey, and incredibly fun to eat with family and friends. Whether you’re round the table for breakfast, a holiday brunch, or dreaming up a sweet dessert, you’ll love how quickly this recipe comes together, and even more how it disappears once served!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of straightforward ingredients, every single one plays a role in creating that crave-worthy softness, sticky goo, and perfectly spiced bite you expect from monkey bread. Don’t be shy about experimenting, but start with these basics for flawless, foolproof results.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough: The cornerstone of this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe—canned biscuits are a time-saving shortcut that gets you super-tender layers in every pull-apart piece.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a classic, sweet crust that caramelizes beautifully and gives body to the cinnamon coating.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and that signature spiced flavor that makes monkey bread irresistible.
- Packed light brown sugar: Melts into a luscious caramel-like sauce, creating that gooey finish on both the top and in between the pieces.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Forms the base of the rich sauce, saturating and softening the biscuit bites as they bake.
- Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla rounds out the sweetness and deepens the aroma.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Essential for making sure your finished monkey bread pops out of the bundt pan without sticking or tearing.
How to Make Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Coat your bundt pan thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray so every sugary bite slides right out. This step is crucial for keeping all that glorious caramelized goodness intact when you flip the finished bread.
Step 2: Cut and Coat the Biscuit Dough
Open your biscuit cans and cut each round biscuit into quarters, creating plenty of bite-size pieces. Toss your granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a large zip-top bag, then add the biscuit bits in batches, shaking to make sure every piece is perfectly dusted with cinnamon-sugar magic.
Step 3: Layer the Biscuits in the Pan
As you finish coating each batch, arrange the sugar-crusted biscuit pieces evenly in the prepared bundt pan. If you want to include some chopped pecans or walnuts, sprinkle them among the biscuit layers for delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Step 4: Make the Gooey Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, packed light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until you’re left with a rich, velvety sauce. Drizzle this decadent mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces, ensuring every nook and cranny gets coated for maximum gooey-ness.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know your Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is ready when the top is a glorious golden brown and the center is cooked through. The heavenly aroma should be impossible to resist!
Step 6: Cool and Invert
Let the pan cool for about 10 minutes after you pull it from the oven. Carefully invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate—give it a little wiggle if needed, and watch as the glossy, sticky bread comes free in all its beautiful, pull-apart glory.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
The best part is serving Easy Monkey Bread Recipe warm, pull-apart style. Set it on the table and let everyone grab a gooey, cinnamon-scented piece. If you’re feeling fancy, give it a quick drizzle of powdered sugar glaze for even more sweetness.
How to Serve Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Dress up your monkey bread with a dusting of powdered sugar or a generous drizzle of simple glaze made from milk and powdered sugar. For a special touch, scatter a handful of toasted nuts or even a pinch of flaky sea salt for sweet and salty contrast.
Side Dishes
This sticky treat pairs beautifully with fresh fruit salad for a burst of brightness, or serve it alongside crispy bacon and scrambled eggs for a classic sweet-and-savory brunch spread. Hot coffee or spiced chai makes the perfect companion for every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Easy Monkey Bread Recipe in individual portions by baking the coated dough pieces in muffin tins or mini bundt pans. Or, transform it into a festive holiday centerpiece by arranging colorful berries or edible flowers around the plate for eye-catching charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow manage to have leftovers, just cover the cooled monkey bread tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The texture stays remarkably soft and sticky, making late-night snacking irresistible!
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap the cooled monkey bread in several layers of plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. To enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for an hour at room temperature before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, place individual pieces or the whole loaf in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual servings for 15–20 seconds, but using the oven keeps the outside a bit crisp and the inside irresistibly gooey.
FAQs
What is monkey bread and where did it get its name?
Monkey bread is a fun, pull-apart bread made of bite-sized dough pieces rolled in cinnamon sugar, stacked in a pan, and baked together with a buttery, caramel-like sauce. The name likely comes from the way you “pick apart” the bread, much like monkeys pick at food with their fingers!
Can I prepare Easy Monkey Bread Recipe the night before?
Absolutely! You can assemble the coated pieces and sauce in the pan, then cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature while you preheat the oven the next morning, and then bake as directed for a super-convenient start to your day.
Do I need a bundt pan for this recipe?
While a bundt pan gives you that classic ring shape and helps the bread cook evenly, you can also use a tube pan or even a 9×13 baking dish in a pinch. Just keep an eye on baking times and adjust as needed, since thickness may vary.
Can I add extra ingredients to my Easy Monkey Bread Recipe?
Definitely—this recipe is incredibly flexible! Chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or dried fruit nestled among the biscuits can add new layers of texture and flavor. Feel free to get creative and make it your own.
How do I know when my monkey bread is fully baked?
A nice, deep golden color on top is a good sign, but to be sure, gently lift a piece from the center—if it’s no longer doughy and springs back to the touch, it’s ready to come out of the oven. If not, give it a few extra minutes to finish.
Final Thoughts
Treat your loved ones—or yourself—to this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe, and watch it vanish faster than you can say “pull-apart!” Whether for a weekend breakfast, brunch with friends, or a sweet dessert, you’ll find every gooey, spiced piece is pure comfort and joy. Give it a try and make your kitchen the happiest place on earth!
Print
Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful sweetness of this easy monkey bread recipe. Perfect for breakfast or as a dessert, this pull-apart bread is a cinnamon-spiced treat that will have everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
For the Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a bundt pan with nonstick spray.
- Prepare Biscuits: Cut each biscuit into quarters. In a bag, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon. Coat biscuit pieces in the mixture.
- Assemble: Place coated dough in the pan.
- Make Glaze: Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Pour over dough.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and cooked. Cool, then invert onto a plate.
- Serve: Pull apart and enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can add chopped pecans or walnuts between the biscuit layers for extra crunch.
- Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for added sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
