Gooey Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread Recipe: Pull-Apart Joy

Sweet aromas of warm cinnamon sugar monkey bread drift through kitchens, promising pure comfort.

Soft, pillowy dough gets rolled in buttery cinnamon-sugar coating that melts delightfully.

Sticky clusters pull apart with irresistible ease, creating moments of pure joy.

Childhood memories spark with each gooey bite of this classic treat.

Playful layers invite everyone to break, share, and savor delectable morsels.

Baking becomes an adventure when you transform simple ingredients into something magical.

Prepare to transform your morning or brunch with this crowd-pleasing delight that guarantees smiles.

Why Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread Is a Must-Try

• Savor Family-Friendly Delight: Perfect for weekend breakfasts or casual gatherings, this monkey bread brings everyone together with its irresistible cinnamon-sugar charm and pull-apart fun.
• Master Simple Baking Skills: Beginner bakers can confidently tackle this recipe with straightforward steps, learning yeast handling and dough techniques without complex methods.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Guaranteed to generate smiles, this sticky, sweet treat offers a nostalgic experience that connects generations through shared culinary joy.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows creative additions like nuts, chocolate chips, or different spice combinations, making it a versatile canvas for personal flavor experiments.

Sweet Essentials for Cinnamon Monkey Bread

• Flour: The foundational ingredient that provides structure to the monkey bread.
• Yeast: A key leavening agent that helps the dough rise and develop a soft, airy texture.
• Eggs: Binding ingredients that add richness and help create a tender dough.
• Butter: Adds moisture, flavor, and helps create a rich, soft texture in the bread.

• Granulated Sugar, Salt: Essential components that enhance flavor and control yeast activity.

• Cinnamon, Granulated Sugar: Provide a sweet, warm, and aromatic coating for the dough balls.
• Melted Butter: Used to help the cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere to the dough.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla: Combine to create a smooth, sweet drizzle that adds a finishing touch to the monkey bread.

Bake This Monkey Bread with Ease

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Combine warm milk with yeast in a small bowl. Let the mixture sit quietly until it becomes frothy and releases a delightful aroma, signaling the yeast is ready to work its magic.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Gently mix these dry ingredients until they form a soft, sandy texture that feels light and promising.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Add eggs and softened butter to the activated yeast mixture. Whisk everything together until the ingredients become a smooth, unified liquid.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl. Begin kneading the mixture for 8-10 minutes. Continue working the dough until it transforms into a smooth, elastic ball that feels soft and springy to the touch.

Step 5: Let the Dough Rise

Cover the dough and place it in a warm, draft-free spot. Allow it to rest and expand for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size, showing signs of life and potential.

Step 6: Shape the Dough Balls

Punch down the risen dough to release trapped air. Divide the dough into small, roughly equal-sized portions. Roll each piece into a neat, round ball.

Step 7: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Stir these ingredients until they’re perfectly blended.

Step 8: Coat the Dough Balls

Dip each dough ball into melted butter, ensuring complete coverage. Immediately roll the buttered ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, creating a generous, sweet coating.

Step 9: Arrange in Bundt Pan

Grease a bundt pan thoroughly. Place the coated dough balls in the pan, creating random, overlapping layers that look delightfully messy and inviting.

Step 10: Final Rise

Let the assembled monkey bread sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, allowing the dough to rise one more time and become puffy.

Step 11: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the monkey bread for 35-40 minutes until it turns a beautiful golden brown. Test doneness by tapping the top – it should sound hollow.

Step 12: Cool and Prepare Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the glaze becomes smooth and silky.

Step 13: Finish and Serve

Invert the monkey bread onto a serving plate. Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread, letting it cascade down the sides in tempting streams. Serve immediately while warm and irresistibly gooey.

Tips for the Fluffiest Pull-Apart Bread

• Proof Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to activate yeast without killing it, creating a foamy, fragrant base for your dough.
• Knead with Confidence: Work the dough for 8-10 minutes to develop gluten, resulting in a soft, stretchy texture that pulls apart beautifully.
• Master Coating Technique: Dip dough balls completely in melted butter before rolling in cinnamon-sugar for maximum flavor and even, generous coverage.
• Rise Right: Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven to help it rise evenly and develop rich, complex flavors.
• Glaze Like a Pro: Let monkey bread cool slightly before drizzling glaze so it doesn't completely absorb, creating a beautiful, glossy finish.

Flavor Swaps for Cinnamon Monkey Bread

• Nutty Adventure: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts between dough layers for added crunch and rich flavor profile.
• Apple Cinnamon Blast: Mix finely diced apples into cinnamon-sugar coating, creating a fruity and spicy combination that elevates the classic recipe.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips alongside cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring melty pockets of chocolate throughout the monkey bread.
• Tropical Remix: Replace cinnamon with shredded coconut and add small chunks of pineapple for a bright, summery version of the traditional recipe.

What to Pair with Cinnamon Monkey Bread

• Pair Sweet Breakfast Tea: Brew a light, fragrant chai or cinnamon-infused black tea that echoes the warm spices in the monkey bread, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
• Complement with Vanilla Cream Coffee: Choose a smooth, creamy coffee with vanilla notes that softens the sweet cinnamon sugar coating and provides a rich, complementary taste experience.
• Match with Fresh Berry Compote: Prepare a quick mixed berry sauce with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries to add a tangy, fresh contrast against the bread's sweet, buttery texture.
• Enhance with Maple Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with a touch of pure maple syrup to create a light, airy topping that adds another layer of decadent sweetness to the monkey bread.

Keeping Monkey Bread Soft and Sweet

• Store cooled monkey bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and maintain freshness.
• Wrap completely cooled monkey bread in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes.
• Keep monkey bread covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Place in a sealed container or cover with plastic wrap to prevent it from becoming stale or losing its soft texture.

Cinnamon Monkey Bread FAQ

• Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Use the same amount, but skip the activation step and mix it directly with dry ingredients.

• How do I know the dough is properly kneaded?

The dough should be smooth, elastic, and spring back when gently pressed. It typically takes 8-10 minutes of kneading to reach this consistency.

• What if my dough doesn't rise properly?

Ensure your yeast is fresh and the environment is warm (around 80-85°F). Avoid cold drafts and use a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven.

• Can I make monkey bread ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature and rise before baking the next morning.

Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 55-2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Gooey cinnamon sugar monkey bread delivers pure comfort with its irresistible pull-apart charm. Warm, sweet layers of caramelized dough promise a delightful breakfast or dessert treat you’ll absolutely savor.

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Ingredients

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Bread Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp salt

Coating and Topping:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm milk, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt, creating a soft, sandy texture.
3. Add eggs and softened butter to the yeast mixture, whisking until thoroughly blended.
4. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients, kneading for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic dough forms.
5. Cover dough and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down risen dough and divide into small, roughly equal-sized portions.
7. Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl for coating.
8. Roll each dough piece into a ball, dipping thoroughly in melted butter, then generously coating with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
9. Arrange coated dough balls in a greased bundt pan, creating random, overlapping layers.
10. Allow assembled monkey bread to rise again for 30 minutes at room temperature.
11. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
12. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto serving plate.
13. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze.
14. Drizzle glaze over warm monkey bread, allowing it to cascade down the sides.
15. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Notes

• Check yeast freshness by ensuring it foams properly, indicating active fermentation and reliable dough rising.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help dough develop smoother texture and rise more consistently.
• Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating stretchy, soft bread with better overall structure.
• Prevent sticking by greasing bundt pan generously with butter or cooking spray before adding dough balls.
• For dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use coconut oil instead of butter.
• Enhance flavor by adding chopped nuts or dried fruit between dough layers for extra texture and taste.
• Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, gently reheating before serving.

• Prep Time: 25-30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg