Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

• Ease of Preparation: Using refrigerated biscuits simplifies the baking process, making this recipe incredibly easy and accessible even for those with minimal baking experience.
• Deliciously Sweet: The combination of cinnamon and sugar with the rich, caramel-like sauce creates a delectably sweet treat that’s hard to resist.
• Interactive and Fun: The pull-apart nature of Monkey Bread makes it a fun, interactive dish, especially popular with kids and perfect for family or group gatherings.
• Versatility: It’s a versatile recipe that can be served as a sweet breakfast, a dessert, or a snack, fitting for various occasions.
• Comfort Food: The warm, cinnamon flavor and the soft, doughy texture make it a comforting treat, perfect for cozy mornings or as a satisfying sweet snack.
• Customizable: The recipe is easily adaptable – you can add nuts, raisins, or other ingredients to create different flavor profiles.
• Perfect for Sharing: Monkey Bread is meant to be shared, making it ideal for social events, potlucks, or family get-togethers.

This Easy Monkey Bread recipe is beloved for its simplicity, delightful taste, and the joy it brings to both the baker and those who get to pull apart and savor this sweet, sticky treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuits
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make this Recipe:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan generously.
2. Prepare Biscuits:
   • Cut each biscuit into quarters to create bite-sized pieces.
3. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:
   • In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Toss the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
4. Layer in the Pan:
   • Place the coated biscuit pieces evenly in the greased bundt pan.
5. Prepare the Caramel Sauce:
   • In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
6. Pour Sauce Over Biscuits:
   • Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan.
7. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the biscuits are cooked through.
8. Cool and Invert:
   • Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Invert the pan onto a serving plate to release the monkey bread.
9. Pull-Apart and Serve:
   • Pull apart the pieces of monkey bread and serve warm. Enjoy the gooey, delicious treat!

Success Tips

• Uniform Biscuit Pieces: Cut the refrigerated biscuits into evenly sized quarters to ensure consistent baking and texture throughout the bread.
• Thorough Coating: Make sure each piece of biscuit dough is well-coated with the cinnamon-sugar mixture for maximum flavor.
• Layering: When placing the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan, distribute them evenly to create a uniform layer and prevent large gaps.
• Butter-Brown Sugar Mixture: Cook the butter and brown sugar mixture just until it’s fully combined and smooth. Avoid overcooking to prevent it from becoming too thick or crystallizing.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the baking time. Overbaking can result in a dry Monkey Bread. It should be golden brown and set when done.
• Cooling Time: Let the Monkey Bread cool in the pan for a few minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes it easier to invert onto a serving plate without falling apart.
• Inverting the Bread: Be careful when inverting the bread onto a plate. Use oven mitts or a towel as the pan will be hot, and do it quickly to prevent the bread from sticking to the pan.
• Serving Warm: Monkey Bread is best enjoyed warm. If you’ve made it ahead of time, gently reheat it before serving to bring back its soft, gooey texture.
• Customizations: Feel free to get creative with additions like chopped nuts, raisins, or a drizzle of icing for extra flavor and texture.

Following these tips will help ensure your Monkey Bread turns out perfectly sweet, gooey, and delicious, making it a hit with everyone who tries it.

Storage:

• Monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Notes

• Biscuit Selection: The recipe works best with standard refrigerated biscuits. Avoid using flaky layers biscuits as they might not hold up as well in this recipe.
• Sugar and Cinnamon Ratio: Adjust the amount of sugar and cinnamon to suit your taste. If you prefer a less sweet version, you can reduce the sugar slightly.
• Sauce Consistency: When preparing the butter and brown sugar sauce, aim for a smooth consistency. If the sauce is too thick, it might not cover the biscuits evenly.
• Bundt Pan Alternative: If you don’t have a bundt pan, you can use a regular baking dish, but the iconic round shape of Monkey Bread may be lost.
• Sticky Hands: When eating Monkey Bread, be prepared for sticky fingers! It’s part of the fun, but having napkins or a damp towel handy can be helpful.
• Leftovers: If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container. Just note that the bread will lose some of its initial softness over time.
• Serving Size: Monkey Bread can be quite rich, so consider the portion size when serving, especially if it’s part of a larger meal or buffet.
• Add-In Ideas: For a twist, consider adding small pieces of apple, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: You can make this recipe dairy-free by using a dairy-free biscuit option and substituting the butter with a dairy-free alternative.

These notes are intended to help you customize the Easy Monkey Bread to your preferences and to provide alternatives and solutions for different dietary needs or kitchen setups. Enjoy baking and indulging in this delightful treat!

Nutrition

Monkey Bread, given its ingredients, is a sweet and indulgent treat. Here’s a general overview of its nutritional profile:

• Calories: It is high in calories, primarily due to the use of refrigerated biscuits, butter, and sugars (both granulated and brown).
• Sugar Content: The recipe includes a significant amount of sugar, contributing to its overall sweetness. This makes it a high-sugar treat.
• Fats: With butter as one of the main ingredients, Monkey Bread is high in fat, particularly saturated fats.
• Carbohydrates: The refrigerated biscuits and sugars make this a high-carbohydrate dish, which includes simple sugars and more complex carbs from the biscuits.
• Proteins: There is minimal protein in this dish, coming primarily from the small amounts found in the biscuits.
• Fiber: Monkey Bread is low in dietary fiber since it primarily uses processed, refined ingredients.
• Sodium: Depending on the brand of biscuits used, there can be a moderate amount of sodium in the recipe.
• Vitamins and Minerals: This dessert provides minimal essential vitamins and minerals.

FAQs:

1. Can I use a different type of pan?
   • While a bundt pan is traditional, you can experiment with other pans. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
2. Can I make this in advance?
   • Monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare it the night before and bake it in the morning for a quicker breakfast.