This monkey bread recipe is soft, sticky, and coated in cinnamon-sugar caramel that turns every bite into pure comfort. Whether you’re serving it for weekend brunch or a holiday dessert, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast. Love crowd-pleasing bakes? You’ll enjoy our cozy Gingerbread Muffins or classic German Chocolate Cake for more sweet moments. Want to know how this treat got its quirky name? Taste of Home has the fun backstory on this American favorite.
Monkey Bread Recipe (from scratch & shortcut versions)
Ingredients:
Dough (from scratch version)
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup warm water (110°F / 45°C)
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup butter, melted
Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions (from scratch version):
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add warm milk, melted butter, egg, and the activated yeast. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan.
- Make the cinnamon-sugar coating: Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Form the dough balls: Punch down the dough and divide it into small 1-inch balls. Dip each ball into the melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place in the bundt pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and puffed up. Let cool for 5 minutes, then invert onto a plate.
- Make the glaze: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over the warm monkey bread.
Shortcut Version (using canned biscuits):
- Use 2 cans of refrigerated biscuit dough instead of making dough from scratch.
- Cut biscuits into quarters, coat in cinnamon sugar, and follow the same baking steps.
✨ Best served warm, pull-apart style!
Would you like a keto or vegan version too? 😊
