Monkey Bread Recipe

There’s something truly magical about Monkey Bread that just pulls you in with its warm, gooey layers of homemade biscuit dough, perfectly coated in cinnamon sugar and drenched in a buttery brown sugar glaze. This Monkey Bread recipe is the ultimate comfort food treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a snack that brings everyone around the table with smiling faces. It’s surprisingly simple to make from scratch, yet delivers that crave-worthy combination of soft, tender dough and caramelized sweetness that you just can’t resist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the perfect Monkey Bread starts with a handful of simple ingredients that each play a crucial role in texture, flavor, and that signature caramelized crust. Every element, from the cold butter that creates flaky layers to the cinnamon sugar that packs a sweet punch, works together to create pure breakfast magic.

• 4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for tender, fluffy biscuit dough that pulls apart so easily.
• 2 tablespoons baking powder: This is what helps the dough rise and get that light, airy crumb.
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt: Just enough salt to balance sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold: Cold butter cut into the flour makes the dough delightfully flaky.
• 1 1/2 cups cold buttermilk: Adds moisture and a subtle tang, ensuring the dough is soft and not dry.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: For coating the dough pieces with cinnamon sugar that melts into caramel.
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon: Brings that classic warm spice flavor that’s essential for Monkey Bread.
• 1 cup brown sugar (loosely packed): Mixed with melted butter to create the luscious glaze that caramelizes on top and bottom.
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: Poured over the dough balls, this ensures every bite is bursting with buttery sweetness.

How to Make Monkey Bread

Step 1: Preparing the Pan and Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and generously mist your bundt pan with non-stick spray—this is key to easy release later. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasonings. Cutting in the cold butter until only small pea-sized pieces remain helps create the flakiness that sets this monkey bread apart.

Step 2: Forming the Dough

Add the cold buttermilk and stir until a cohesive dough forms that pulls away cleanly from the bowl’s sides. This ensures your dough is moist but easy to handle. It’s the perfect base for those pillowy dough balls we all love.

Step 3: Coating the Dough Balls

Mix the granulated sugar with cinnamon in a shallow dish and scoop the dough into roughly tablespoon-sized balls. This hand-rolling step is so satisfying—each ball should get a thorough cinnamon sugar coat, because that’s where much of the gooey magic begins.

Step 4: Assembling the Monkey Bread

Arrange your coated dough balls in the prepared bundt pan in a snug, single layer to fill in every nook. Then whisk together the brown sugar and melted butter to create that rich glaze and pour it evenly over all the dough balls. This creates the irresistible caramel layer that coats every bite.

Step 5: Baking and Cooling

Bake your Monkey Bread for 30 to 35 minutes until it’s puffed and golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the thickest part should come out clean, signaling perfect doneness. Let it cool for 10 minutes because patience here means the sugars set just right and the bread will hold its shape when inverted.

How to Serve Monkey Bread

Garnishes

Once your Monkey Bread is out of the oven and cooled just enough, try dusting it lightly with powdered sugar for a touch of pretty sweetness or drizzle a cream cheese glaze on top for an extra luscious finish. Fresh berries scattered around add bright color and a tart contrast that complements the rich caramel.

Side Dishes

Monkey Bread shines as a sweet centerpiece alongside fresh fruit salads, savory breakfast sausages, or crispy bacon. For a brunch spread, pair it with scrambled eggs and coffee for the ultimate indulgent morning feast. It’s versatile enough to brighten up any meal occasion.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress guests, serve Monkey Bread right from the bundt pan so everyone can pull off their own sticky, gooey pieces. Or, turn it into individual mini servings by baking the dough balls in muffin tins lined with cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go treats perfect for parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Monkey Bread tastes delicious even the next day! Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep the dough soft and the glaze sticky but set.

Freezing

If you want to save Monkey Bread for later, freeze it after it has cooled completely by wrapping tightly in foil or placing it in a freezer bag. It will keep well for up to 2 months—just make sure to thaw it gently before reheating.

Reheating

To revive your Monkey Bread’s gooey goodness, warm it in the oven at 300 degrees F for about 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through. If reheating individual pieces, a quick zap in the microwave for 20 seconds does the trick, but baking helps restore that perfectly crispy caramelized crust.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought biscuit dough instead of making it from scratch?

Absolutely! Store-bought biscuit dough can be a great shortcut and still yield tasty results, though making it from scratch gives you that extra fluffy texture and buttery flavor that’s hard to beat.

Why is my Monkey Bread not getting crispy?

If your Monkey Bread isn’t crisping up well, make sure your bundt pan is well-greased and that you use enough melted butter and brown sugar since they’re crucial for that caramelized crust. Also, baking it long enough ensures the edges crisp beautifully.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to this Monkey Bread?

Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts add a wonderful crunch, and you can even sneak in raisins or chocolate chips for extra flavor surprises. Just toss them with the dough balls before placing them in the pan.

How do I prevent the Monkey Bread from sticking to the pan?

Generous greasing of the bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter is essential. If you have trouble with sticking, you might also try dusting the pan with a bit of flour after greasing.

Is Monkey Bread gluten-free or can I make it gluten-free?

This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not naturally gluten-free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free all-purpose flour blends that include xanthan gum to get a similar texture, but results may vary.

Final Thoughts

Making Monkey Bread from scratch is such a rewarding experience that fills your home with irresistible aromas and your heart with nostalgia. Trust me, once you try this gooey, buttery, cinnamon-sugary masterpiece, it will quickly become a beloved staple for every breakfast or brunch gathering. So gather your ingredients, invite your favorite people, and enjoy the joy that only Monkey Bread can bring!