Homemade Monkey Bread Recipe: Your Ultimate Guide to Sweet Pull-Apart Perfection
Prepare to elevate your breakfast or dessert game with this incredible homemade monkey bread recipe! Forget about store-bought cinnamon rolls – this from-scratch creation offers a truly unparalleled experience. Imagine countless little bubbles of tender bread, each generously coated in a decadent mixture of melted butter, aromatic cinnamon, and sweet sugar. The result? A heavenly treat that’s wonderfully crisp and caramelized on the outside, giving way to a soft, gooey, and utterly irresistible interior. This glorious pull-apart bread is a showstopper, perfect for any morning gathering or as a comforting sweet ending to your meal.
The Irresistible Allure of Homemade Monkey Bread
When was the last time you indulged in a warm, fragrant piece of monkey bread? Do you crave those delightful crispy outer pieces, or do you dive straight for the incredibly gooey, caramelized middle? If you’ve yet to experience the magic of monkey bread, then prepare for an absolute revelation!
At its heart, monkey bread is a whimsical and utterly delicious dish crafted from individual balls of yeasted dough. These doughy gems are generously dipped in melted butter and then coated in a sweet, spiced mixture of cinnamon sugar. Once coated, they are meticulously arranged in a Bundt pan and baked until golden brown and bubbling. The ultimate outcome is a sticky, sweet, and utterly addictive ring of bread that’s meant to be pulled apart and savored, piece by glorious piece. It truly tastes like a slice of heaven, especially when enjoyed warm, fresh from the oven.
Why This Monkey Bread Recipe Stands Out
This particular monkey bread recipe holds a special place in our family’s hearts; it’s hands down one of our all-time favorites! We affectionately call it “bubble bread” because of the way the individual cinnamon-coated dough balls puff up into perfect, round bubbles during baking. From the very first bite, we were completely captivated. Making this bread is a cherished family activity, from preparing the soft, pliable dough to dipping each little ball in the butter and cinnamon sugar. And, of course, the eating part is always a joyous occasion we all look forward to!
This recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s also a fantastic way to get your kids involved in the kitchen, teaching them about baking in a fun and interactive way. It’s an ideal choice for a special occasion breakfast, a festive brunch centerpiece, or even a comforting dessert on a cozy evening.
Looking for more delightful sweet bread recipes? Try our exquisite Chocolate Babka or a comforting slice of Bread Pudding.
Crafting Your Perfect Monkey Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide
This delightful pull-apart bread is something you can easily whip up whenever a craving for something sweet strikes. It’s a wonderful alternative to traditional midnight snacks. While we also adore quick Pineapple Empanadas or even a savory Bacon Fried Rice, this monkey bread truly hits different when you want a warm, comforting treat.
Don’t let the mention of yeast intimidate you! This recipe is surprisingly simple, even if you consider yourself a novice with yeast doughs. The dough itself becomes incredibly soft and manageable, so much so that you won’t even need an electric mixer. In fact, it’s best to mix gently and avoid overworking the dough, as this can lead to a tough and less desirable texture. The key is a light hand and a little patience, and you’ll be rewarded with the most tender monkey bread imaginable.
Essential Ingredients for Your Monkey Bread
Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards this delightful creation. Here’s what you’ll need for both the pillowy dough and the irresistible coating:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup scalded milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 packages active dry yeast (approximately 1.5 ounces)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Cooking Tip: The Magic of Scalded Milk – This recipe specifically calls for scalded milk, which might sound fancy but is quite simple. It means heating milk just until it’s about to boil, reaching roughly 180°F (82°C). Be sure to stir frequently, whether you’re using a stove or microwave, to prevent it from scorching. Scalding milk serves a dual purpose: it helps break down certain proteins, resulting in a wonderfully soft and tender dough, and its warmth also perfectly activates the yeast, ensuring a good rise.
For the Coating:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts or raisins (optional, but highly recommended for an extra layer of flavor and texture)
Helpful Kitchen Tools
To make your monkey bread baking experience as smooth as possible, having a few key tools on hand will be beneficial:
- Bundt pan: Essential for achieving that classic monkey bread shape.
- Mixing bowls: You’ll need at least one large bowl for the dough and a couple of smaller ones for the melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Glass measuring cups: Perfect for accurately measuring liquids and for melting butter.
Detailed Directions for Baking the Best Monkey Bread
Follow these steps carefully to ensure your monkey bread turns out perfectly soft, gooey, and caramelized:
- Prepare the Dough and First Rise: In a large bowl, pour the scalded milk. Add the vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of sugar, and salt, stirring until combined. Let this mixture cool until it’s lukewarm (around 110°F or 43°C) – this temperature is crucial for activating the yeast without killing it. Once cooled, sprinkle in the active dry yeast and stir gently to dissolve. Beat in the eggs, then gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky but cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can toughen the dough.
- Knead and Second Rise: Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn out the dough and gently knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic, but still feels soft and slightly tacky. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat, then cover loosely with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1 hour. Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the air, and let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare the coating ingredients.
- Prepare the Coating: While your dough is resting, melt the 1/2 cup of butter in a small bowl. In a separate, shallow bowl, combine the 1 cup of sugar with the 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, mixing well. If you’re adding chopped nuts or raisins, stir them into the cinnamon sugar mixture at this point.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Pinch off small pieces of dough, roughly the size of a walnut (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter). Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Dip each dough ball first into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated, then immediately roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. I find it easiest to work with several balls at a time.
- Arrange in Bundt Pan & Final Rise: Lightly grease your Bundt pan. Begin arranging the coated dough balls in the pan, staggering them for an even distribution. If you have any leftover melted butter or cinnamon sugar, drizzle or sprinkle it over the top of the arranged dough balls – you don’t want to waste any of that deliciousness! Loosely cover the Bundt pan with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let the dough rise for a second time until it looks visibly puffy, usually about 30-45 minutes.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the oven is ready and the dough has risen, bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on it as it nears the end of the baking time; if the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. The monkey bread should be beautifully golden, crisp and caramelized on the outside, but wonderfully soft and gooey on the inside. To check for doneness, you can gently pull a few pieces from the middle; they should be cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, let the monkey bread cool in the Bundt pan for just 5 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the caramel at the bottom set slightly, making it easier to invert. After 5 minutes, carefully place a large serving plate over the top of the Bundt pan and, using oven mitts, quickly and confidently invert the pan onto the plate. Gently lift the Bundt pan, and ta-da! You’ve just created the most magnificent homemade monkey bread. Serve warm and enjoy every single pull-apart bite!
Tips for Serving, Storing, and Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic homemade monkey bread, the possibilities are endless!
- Serving Suggestions: Monkey bread is best served warm, as soon as it’s inverted from the pan. It’s fantastic on its own, but you can also serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert, or a drizzle of simple glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a splash of milk or lemon juice).
- Storage: If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence!), store them at room temperature, covered tightly, for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: To bring leftover monkey bread back to its gooey glory, simply reheat individual portions in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or warm the entire ring in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
- Delicious Variations:
- Chocolate Monkey Bread: Add chocolate chips or chopped chocolate squares to the layers of dough balls in the Bundt pan. They’ll melt into a rich, chocolatey surprise.
- Nutty Crunch: Increase the amount of chopped pecans or walnuts in the cinnamon-sugar coating for extra texture and flavor.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: Instead of a simple sugar glaze, whisk together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, a touch of milk, and vanilla extract for a luscious topping.
- Fruity Twist: Incorporate dried cranberries, blueberries, or finely chopped dried apricots into the coating mixture.
- Savory Monkey Bread: For a completely different take, omit the cinnamon and sugar. Instead, coat dough balls in melted butter, garlic powder, dried herbs (like Italian seasoning), and Parmesan cheese. Serve with marinara for dipping!
This monkey bread recipe has earned a permanent spot on my favorite cake, rolls, and buns list, right alongside this mouth-watering Blueberry Breakfast Cake and these delightful Cranberry Cream Cheese Pastries. It’s a true classic that brings joy to any occasion.
Monkey Bread
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Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 cup milk scalded
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 ounces active dry yeast 2 envelopes
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For the coating:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped nuts or raisins optional
Before You Begin
Instructions
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Pour the hot milk in a large bowl. Add oil, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Let cool to lukewarm temperature, about 110°F. Add the yeast and stir to dissolve. Beat in eggs and flour until a soft, loose dough forms.
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On a lightly floured surface, gentle knead until dough is sticky but smooth. Place in a lightly greased bowl and cover loosely with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch down dough and let rest while preparing the coating.
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While dough is resting, melt the butter. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup sugar with the cinnamon. If desired, add nuts or raisins to cinnamon mixture (optional).
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Pinch off walnut sized pieces of dough and roll into balls. Dip in butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar. Place in greased bundt pan in staggered rows. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon-sugar over top. Loosely cover and let rise for about 30-45 minutes, or until dough is puffy.
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Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 30-35 minutes. Cover the top loosely with foil if it begins to brown too quickly. Let cool for 5 minutes in pan before inverting onto a large plate.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.