Introduction
Who doesn’t love monkey bread? This ridiculously easy recipe transforms simple ingredients into a warm, gooey, pull-apart masterpiece perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat. Get ready for a taste sensation that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! It’s the ultimate comfort food, guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
Why This Works
This recipe works because it’s unbelievably simple! No fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients are needed. It’s all about layering delicious flavors and achieving that perfect balance of sweet, cinnamon-y goodness with a wonderfully soft and slightly crunchy texture. Plus, it’s incredibly fun to pull apart and share!
Key Ingredients
- 🥐 1 (16.3-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits
- 🧈 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 🍯 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 🥄 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 🌰 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan generously with butter or cooking spray.
2️⃣ Cinnamon Sugar Mix: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well until fully combined. If using pecans, add them now.
3️⃣ Biscuit Prep: Separate the refrigerated biscuits. You can leave them whole or cut them in half, depending on your preference for size.
4️⃣ Coat the Biscuits: Dip each biscuit into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring they’re fully coated.
5️⃣ Assemble the Bread: Arrange the coated biscuits in the prepared baking pan, creating a single layer. It’s ok if they’re slightly overlapping.
6️⃣ Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the monkey bread is golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
7️⃣ Cool & Serve: Let the monkey bread cool slightly in the pan before serving. It’s best served warm, but it’s still delicious at room temperature.
Handy Tips
- For even coating, use tongs to dip the biscuits into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; if necessary, use two 9×13 inch pans.
- If you prefer a crispier monkey bread, bake for a few extra minutes.
Heat Control
Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures the monkey bread bakes evenly and doesn’t burn before the inside is cooked through. Lowering the temperature might result in longer baking time, while increasing it might lead to burning.
Crunch Factor
The crunch comes mainly from the slightly caramelized sugar on the outside of the biscuits. Adding pecans enhances the crunch further.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of regular melted butter.
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Sprinkle a little extra sugar on top before baking for extra sweetness and a nice crust.
Storage Tips
Store leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. To reheat, simply microwave individual pieces for 15-20 seconds or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.
Gift Packaging Ideas
This monkey bread makes a fantastic homemade gift! Bake it in a pretty disposable aluminum pan and tie a ribbon around it. You can also package individual pieces in cellophane bags.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread: Add 1/2 cup chopped apples to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
🌟 Chocolate Chip Monkey Bread: Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
🌟 Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread: Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries and the zest of one orange to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
🌟 Coconut Monkey Bread: Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Troubleshooting
- Monkey bread is too dry: Make sure you’ve coated the biscuits thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and haven’t overbaked it.
- Monkey bread is burning too quickly: Lower the oven temperature by 25°F (14°C).
- Monkey bread is not browned enough: Increase the oven temperature by 25°F (14°C) or bake for a few extra minutes.
FAQ
- Can I use different types of biscuits? Yes, you can experiment with different brands or even homemade biscuits.
- Can I make this ahead of time? You can assemble the monkey bread ahead of time and bake it just before serving. Store the assembled bread in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- What can I substitute for pecans? Walnuts, almonds, or even macadamia nuts would work well. You can also leave them out entirely.
- Can I use a different pan? A Bundt pan or a muffin tin would also work, just adjust the baking time accordingly. Smaller portions will need less baking time.
Conclusion
This Easy Monkey Bread recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! It’s simple to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Give it a try and share your delicious creations with us – we can’t wait to see your pictures! Enjoy!
Crazy Good Monkey Bread (So Easy!)
A deliciously sticky and sweet pull-apart bread that is perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350u00b0C (175u00b0F).
- In a bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together.
- Cut each biscuit into quarters and toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.
- Layer half of the coated biscuit pieces in a greased bundt pan.
- Sprinkle half of the brown sugar, nuts, and chocolate chips over the first layer.
- Add the remaining biscuit pieces on top, then sprinkle with the rest of the brown sugar, nuts, and chocolate chips.
- Pour the melted butter evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
- Pull apart and enjoy!
Tips
- For an extra flavor boost, add vanilla extract to the melted butter.
- Serve warm for the best gooey texture.