Monkey bread is a delightful pull-apart treat that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This gooey, sweet bread is made from pieces of biscuit dough coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, then baked with a butter-brown sugar sauce. It's a crowd-pleaser that's easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Most of the ingredients for monkey bread are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up a couple of items. The refrigerated biscuit dough is typically found in the refrigerated section of your supermarket. Make sure to get the right type, as it forms the base of the bread. The bundt pan is also essential for this recipe, as it gives the bread its characteristic shape.
Ingredients for Monkey Bread Recipe
Refrigerated biscuit dough: This is the base of the monkey bread, providing the doughy texture and structure.
White sugar: Used to sweeten and coat the dough pieces.
Ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy flavor to the sugar coating.
Butter: Melts with the brown sugar to create a rich, caramel-like sauce.
Brown sugar: Combines with butter to form a gooey, sweet sauce that coats the dough.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When cutting the biscuit dough into quarters, use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to ensure clean cuts. This will help the dough pieces cook evenly and absorb the sugar-cinnamon mixture more effectively.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
refrigerated biscuit dough - Substitute with homemade biscuit dough: Homemade dough can be made with flour, baking powder, salt, butter, and milk, providing a fresher and more customizable option.
refrigerated biscuit dough - Substitute with refrigerated crescent roll dough: Crescent roll dough has a similar texture and can be used in a pinch, though it may be slightly less fluffy.
white sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index and adds a slight caramel flavor, making it a healthier alternative.
white sugar - Substitute with maple sugar: Maple sugar provides a unique, rich flavor and can be used in equal amounts to white sugar.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices like nutmeg and cloves, adding a more complex flavor profile.
ground cinnamon - Substitute with apple pie spice: Apple pie spice also contains cinnamon and additional spices, offering a similar but slightly different taste.
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a direct substitute for butter, though it may alter the flavor slightly.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that adds a subtle coconut flavor and works well in baking.
packed brown sugar - Substitute with turbinado sugar: Turbinado sugar has larger crystals and a mild molasses flavor, making it a good substitute for brown sugar.
packed brown sugar - Substitute with date sugar: Date sugar is made from dried dates and provides a natural sweetness with a hint of caramel, similar to brown sugar.
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How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the monkey bread to cool completely before storing. This helps to prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
Wrap the monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh. Alternatively, place it in an airtight container.
Store the wrapped monkey bread at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep it longer, consider refrigerating it.
For refrigeration, place the monkey bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to a week.
To freeze, wrap the monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap, then cover it with a layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping helps to prevent freezer burn.
Label the wrapped monkey bread with the date before placing it in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the monkey bread in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheat the monkey bread in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual pieces for about 20-30 seconds.
If the monkey bread seems dry after reheating, drizzle a bit of melted butter or a simple sugar glaze over the top to restore moisture and sweetness.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Wrap the monkey bread in aluminum foil to keep it from drying out. Place it on a baking sheet and heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
For a quicker method, use the microwave. Place a portion of monkey bread on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds, checking to ensure it doesn't overheat and become tough.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 300°F (150°C). Place the monkey bread in the basket, ensuring pieces are not overlapping. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even warming.
For a stovetop method, use a non-stick skillet over low heat. Place the monkey bread in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally to ensure even warming without burning.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the monkey bread at the specified temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Bundt pan: A special type of baking pan with a hole in the middle, used to give the monkey bread its characteristic shape.
Plastic bag: Used to mix the white sugar and cinnamon with the biscuit pieces by shaking them together.
Knife: Used to cut the refrigerated biscuit dough into quarters.
Small saucepan: Used to melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat.
Stove: Used to heat the small saucepan and melt the butter and brown sugar mixture.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the white sugar, brown sugar, and butter accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the ground cinnamon accurately.
Mixing spoon: Used to stir the butter and brown sugar mixture while it melts and boils.
Plate: Used to turn out the monkey bread onto after it has cooled in the pan for 10 minutes.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Recipe
Pre-cut the biscuits: Cut the biscuit dough into quarters ahead of time and store them in an airtight container to save time during assembly.
Use pre-mixed sugar and cinnamon: Prepare the sugar-cinnamon mix in bulk and store it in a jar for future use.
Melt butter in the microwave: Instead of using a saucepan, melt the butter in the microwave to save time.
Line the bundt pan: Use a non-stick spray or line the bundt pan with parchment paper to make cleanup quicker.
Preheat the oven early: Start preheating the oven while you prepare the ingredients to ensure it's ready when you are.
Monkey Bread Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan.
- Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar-cinnamon mix. Arrange in the pan.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over biscuits.
- Bake for 35 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate.
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