Monkey bread is a delightful, pull-apart treat that is both fun to make and incredibly delicious. This version is super simple, using Pillsbury biscuits as the base, making it a quick and easy recipe that anyone can whip up. The combination of buttery, caramelized sugar with a hint of cinnamon makes it an irresistible treat for breakfast, dessert, or a special snack.
Ingredients:
- 4 cans of Pillsbury Biscuits
- 1/2 cup of melted butter
- 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure your oven is ready once your monkey bread is assembled.
- Prepare the Bundt Pan: Generously grease a Bundt pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This will help prevent the sticky, sugary mixture from adhering too much to the sides, making it easier to remove the monkey bread after baking.
- Cut the Biscuits: Open the cans of Pillsbury biscuits and separate them. Using a knife or kitchen scissors, cut each biscuit into quarters. Set the cut biscuits aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Cinnamon and Sugar: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Stir until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
- Coat the Biscuits: Working in batches, add the biscuit quarters to the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Toss the pieces until they are fully coated with the mixture. As you coat the biscuit pieces, start layering them in the prepared Bundt pan. This ensures that each bite of monkey bread will have that delicious cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Prepare the Caramel Mixture: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Allow the mixture to come to a slight simmer, then remove it from the heat.
- Assemble the Monkey Bread: Pour the melted butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the Bundt pan. This will create a gooey, caramel-like sauce that will coat the monkey bread as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the Bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the biscuits are cooked through. You may notice the caramel bubbling up around the edges, which is a good sign that your monkey bread is baking properly.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the monkey bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This cooling time is crucial, as it allows the caramel to set slightly, making it easier to remove from the pan. After 10 minutes, carefully invert the Bundt pan onto a large plate or serving platter. The monkey bread should slide out easily, with the caramelized top now on display.
- Enjoy: Serve your monkey bread warm, allowing everyone to pull apart the gooey, cinnamon-sugar-coated pieces. It’s perfect on its own, but you can also pair it with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or even a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips for Success:
- Cut Evenly: When cutting the biscuits into quarters, try to keep the pieces roughly the same size. This ensures even baking, so all the pieces are done at the same time.
- Layer Carefully: As you layer the biscuit pieces in the Bundt pan, try to distribute them evenly. This will help the monkey bread hold its shape and bake uniformly.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the monkey bread towards the end of the baking time. You want the top to be golden and the inside fully cooked, but overbaking can make it dry.
- Use a Non-Stick Pan: A non-stick Bundt pan works best for this recipe. It helps the monkey bread release easily after baking. If you don’t have a non-stick pan, make sure to grease your pan thoroughly.
This Easy Monkey Bread recipe is a quick and delightful treat that’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. The simplicity of using pre-made biscuit dough, combined with the classic flavors of cinnamon and sugar, makes this recipe a go-to for busy mornings, casual gatherings, or just a fun baking project. The gooey, caramelized goodness of the monkey bread is irresistible, and the best part is pulling apart the pieces to enjoy each sweet, sticky bite. Whether you’re making this for a special occasion or just because, this monkey bread is sure to become a favorite in your household. Enjoy!
