If you have a craving for a warm, ooey-gooey treat that feels like a big, sweet hug, then this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s delightfully simple to make with just a handful of basic ingredients, yet it delivers maximum flavor with its tender, cinnamon-sugary pieces baked perfectly golden and drizzled in buttery brown sugar syrup. Whether it’s for a weekend brunch, holiday gathering, or an anytime indulgence, this recipe turns ordinary cinnamon rolls into a show-stopping, pull-apart masterpiece that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe, you only need a few pantry staples that come together effortlessly. Each ingredient plays a special role — from the cinnamon spice that warms your senses to the butter and brown sugar combo that forms a luscious glaze, making every bite irresistibly sticky and sweet.
- Sugar (1/2 cup): Adds the perfect amount of sweetness and crunch to the cinnamon coating that clings to each dough piece.
- Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The star spice brings that classic warming flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet dough.
- Grands Cinnamon Rolls (2 cans): The base of this recipe, these fluffy dough pieces make preparation quick and give that signature soft, pillowy texture.
- Brown Sugar (1 cup, firmly packed): When combined with butter, it creates a rich, caramel-like sauce that soaks into the bread.
- Butter (1 cup, melted): Adds moisture, richness, and helps meld the brown sugar into a glossy, sticky syrup covering the monkey bread.
How to Make Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is essential for even baking so that your monkey bread turns out perfectly golden and fluffy.
Step 2: Prepare the Pan
Lightly grease a cake pan or a fluted bundt pan. This simple step will ensure your monkey bread doesn’t stick and comes out in one beautiful, pull-apart piece.
Step 3: Mix Cinnamon Sugar
Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large Ziploc bag. Shake thoroughly to blend these two ingredients. This mixture is what will coat each dough piece with that delicious spicy-sweet flavor.
Step 4: Prepare and Coat the Dough
Open the cinnamon roll cans and separate each roll, then cut each into quarters. Place all dough pieces in your cinnamon sugar bag, seal it tight, and shake gently until every piece is evenly coated with the cinnamon sugar.
Step 5: Arrange the Dough in the Pan
Take the coated rolls out of the bag and layer them evenly in your prepared pan. There’s no need for perfection here — the layering builds that fun pull-apart texture once baked.
Step 6: Make and Pour the Syrup
Mix 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar with 1 cup melted butter in a small bowl. Pour this luscious mixture over the dough pieces, allowing the syrup to seep down and soak into the layers during baking.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 28 to 32 minutes. Watch for a beautiful golden brown top and ensure the monkey bread is cooked through without any doughy centers.
Step 8: Cool and Invert
Once baked, let the monkey bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully flip the pan over onto a serving plate. This reveals the gooey, caramel-coated masterpiece ready to be pulled apart and enjoyed.
How to Serve Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
While this monkey bread is delicious on its own, you can add an extra touch by drizzling the leftover icing from the cinnamon roll cans on top, or sprinkle a little powdered sugar for a delicate finish. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also make delightful additions for serving.
Side Dishes
Easy Monkey Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea. For a fuller meal, serve it alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness and make it a satisfying brunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking this monkey bread in individual mini bundt pans for personal servings, perfect for parties or gifts. You can also add chopped nuts or toss in some raisins with the dough pieces for added texture and bursts of flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps it moist and soft, ready to be enjoyed the next day.
Freezing
Monkey bread freezes beautifully! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual pieces in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or pop the whole loaf in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore that freshly baked texture and aroma.
FAQs
Can I make Easy Monkey Bread Recipe without cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! While cinnamon rolls make this recipe super quick, you can use homemade biscuit dough or biscuit dough from a can. Just adjust baking time as needed to make sure the dough is fully cooked.
Is it possible to make monkey bread ahead of time?
You can assemble the dough pieces coated in cinnamon sugar the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. Pour the butter-brown sugar mixture on just before baking for best results.
What if I don’t have a bundt pan?
No worries! You can use a cake pan or even a deep pie dish. Just make sure it’s well greased and the dough is layered evenly. The shape might be different but the taste will still be irresistible.
Can I add other flavors to this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe?
Definitely! Adding chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit inside the dough layers can give your monkey bread exciting new flavors and textures.
How do I know when the monkey bread is baked through?
You’re looking for a golden brown top, and the dough should feel set and springy to the touch. If unsure, insert a skewer in the middle — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is a joyful, sweet creation that brings together the best of cinnamon rolls and that nostalgic pull-apart fun we all love. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends, and honestly, it’s hard not to smile with the first warm bite. Give it a try the next time you want to bake something that feels like a celebration in every piece.
Print
Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Monkey Bread recipe is a sweet and sticky treat made with cinnamon roll dough, coated in cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a luscious brown sugar butter sauce. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Dough
- 2 cans Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls (with icing, optional for topping)
Sauce
- 1 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the monkey bread.
- Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease a cake or fluted bundt pan to prevent sticking and make it easy to remove the bread after baking.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large Ziploc bag and shake well to blend evenly.
- Prepare the Dough: Separate the cinnamon roll dough from each can and cut each roll into quarters to create evenly sized pieces for coating and baking.
- Coat the Dough: Place the quartered dough pieces in the cinnamon sugar bag, seal it tightly, and shake until all pieces are thoroughly coated with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Arrange in Pan: Transfer the coated pieces into the prepared pan, layering them evenly as needed to fill the pan.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the firmly packed 1 cup of brown sugar with the melted 1 cup of butter until well combined. Pour this sauce evenly over the arranged dough pieces in the pan.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the monkey bread is golden brown and no longer doughy in the center.
- Cool and Invert: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then invert the pan onto a serving plate to release the monkey bread. Optionally, drizzle the included cinnamon roll icing over the top before serving.
Notes
- Be sure to grease the pan well to avoid sticking and help with easy removal.
- Cutting the cinnamon rolls into quarters ensures even baking and bite-sized pieces.
- For extra sweetness, drizzle the cinnamon roll icing included in the cans over the bread after baking.
- Serve warm for the best gooey texture.
- Store leftover monkey bread in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheat before serving.
