Easy Monkey Bread Recipe: Classic & Delicious Pull-Apart Bread

Imagine the sweet aroma of cinnamon and sugar filling your kitchen, the ooey-gooey texture of warm, buttery dough melting in your mouth. That’s the magic of monkey bread! This recipe is incredibly easy, totally delicious, and guaranteed to impress. Perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or a special occasion, it’s the ultimate comfort food that everyone will adore. Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s incredibly easy to make, even for beginner bakers.
• The combination of cinnamon, sugar, and buttery dough is irresistible.
• The pull-apart texture makes it perfect for sharing with friends and family.
• It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s ideal for brunch, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.
• You can easily customize it with your favorite nuts, spices, or glazes.

What Makes This Recipe Unique?

While many monkey bread recipes use pre-made biscuits, this one uses simple pantry ingredients to create a dough that’s not only delicious but also incredibly easy to work with. The dough comes together quickly, and the unique layering technique, which is far simpler than rolling and cutting individual pieces, creates that perfect balance of chewy, buttery insides with a crispy, caramelized crust. This technique ensures every bite is flavorful and perfectly textured!

Ingredient List

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, for coating
• 1 cup granulated sugar, for coating
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, for coating
• Key Ingredient: The active dry yeast is essential for the dough to rise and achieve that light, fluffy texture. Make sure it’s fresh for the best results!
• Key Ingredient: The melted butter for coating adds a richness and helps to caramelize the sugar creating a beautiful crust.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This means your yeast is active.
2. Add the remaining sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine.
3. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-inch bundt pan.
7. While the dough is rising, melt the remaining butter for coating in one bowl, and in another bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon.
8. Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and divide it into 2-3 equal pieces.
9. Take each piece and pull off small bite-sized bits. Dip each bit into the melted butter, letting excess drip off. Then, coat each bit well in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
10. Arrange the coated dough pieces in the prepared bundt pan.
11. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
12. Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.

Optional Toppings/Variations

Want to take your monkey bread to the next level? Here are a few delicious ideas:

• Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the monkey bread after it’s inverted for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon-sugar mixture before coating the dough pieces.
• Vanilla Glaze: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Drizzle over the cooled monkey bread.

Expert Tips

• Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• Don’t skip the kneading step! It’s crucial for developing the dough’s texture.
• Allow the dough to rise fully, it will make it lighter and fluffier.
• Don’t overbake the monkey bread – it should be golden brown and slightly firm.
• If using nuts, toast them lightly before adding to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for the best flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I use a different type of flour? While all-purpose flour works best, you can try using bread flour for a chewier texture, but may need to adjust the liquid slightly.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature before assembling and baking. The finished monkey bread can be kept at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to a week but is best eaten fresh.
• Can I use pre-made dough? You sure can, if you are in a hurry use a store bought dough, like biscuit dough, just cut into small pieces and follow the rest of the recipe instructions.
• Can I substitute butter with oil? While you can use oil for the dough and coating, butter will result in a far richer, more flavorful monkey bread.
• How do I know when it’s fully cooked? The monkey bread is ready when it’s golden brown on top, firm to the touch, and an internal temperature reaches 200°F.

Variations and Customization Options

Let your creativity shine! Here are some tasty ways to customize your monkey bread:

• Chocolate Lover’s Monkey Bread: Add cocoa powder to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and include chocolate chips for a decadent chocolate version.
• Savory Monkey Bread: Skip the cinnamon and sugar, and use garlic, herbs, and cheese for a savory twist.
• Apple Pie Monkey Bread: Add diced apples to the dough pieces and use apple pie spice instead of cinnamon.

Serving Suggestions

Monkey bread is best served warm. It’s perfect as a breakfast treat, a sweet addition to brunch, or a delightful dessert. Pair it with a cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk. It’s also a fantastic option for potlucks or family gatherings because it’s so easy to share!

Conclusion

Ready to bake something truly special? This monkey bread recipe is a winner because it’s easy, delicious, and oh-so-satisfying. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, you’ll love the simplicity and the incredible flavor. So, grab your ingredients, get baking, and share the joy with your loved ones. Don’t forget to share your monkey bread creations with me, I can’t wait to see them! Happy Baking!