If you’ve never made monkey bread before, let this be your sign! This Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the ultimate pull-apart treat—soft, buttery, and coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture that caramelizes as it bakes. It's sure to be a fam and crowd favorite. Trust me!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Soft, fluffy, and gooey – The perfect balance of tender dough and sticky cinnamon sugar.
- Easy to make – No fancy ingredients or complicated steps—just mix, roll, and bake!
- Crowd-pleaser – Perfect for sharing with family and friends (but no judgment if you keep it all to yourself!).
- Great for any occasion – Whether it’s a holiday breakfast or a cozy weekend treat, this monkey bread is always a winner.
Cinnamon Monkey Bread Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour – The base of the dough, creating a soft and fluffy texture.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness to the dough and helps caramelize the coating.
- Cinnamon – The key ingredient for that warm, cozy flavor.
- Yeast – Helps the dough rise and become light and airy.
- Milk & Butter – Keep the dough rich and tender while adding a buttery flavor.
- Brown Sugar – Used in the cinnamon-sugar coating for extra depth and caramel notes.
- Vanilla Extract & Salt – Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
How to Make Cinnamon Monkey Bread
- Make the Dough – In a large bowl, mix the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit until foamy, about 5-10 minutes. Add melted butter, vanilla, flour, and salt. Knead until a smooth dough forms, then let it rise until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Coating – In one bowl, melt the butter. In another, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Shape the Dough – Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into small bite-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
- Coat the Dough – Dip each dough ball into the melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place them in a greased bundt pan.
- Bake – Let the assembled dough rest for about 20 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve & Enjoy – Let the monkey bread cool slightly before flipping it onto a plate. Drizzle with extra glaze or caramel sauce if desired!
FAQ
What is monkey bread?
Monkey bread is a pull-apart sweet bread made from small dough balls coated in cinnamon sugar and baked together in a bundt pan. It’s gooey, soft, and incredibly delicious!
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before proceeding.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy warm. I would suggest eating this sooner rather than later though.
Can I use store-bought dough?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can use canned biscuit dough instead of homemade dough. Just cut the biscuits into pieces, coat them in cinnamon sugar, and bake as directed.
Tips for the Best Monkey Bread
- Use fresh yeast – Make sure your yeast is active to ensure a good rise. If it doesn’t foam up when mixed with warm milk and sugar, it may be expired.
- Don’t skip the butter – The butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick and creates that gooey caramelized texture.
- Let it cool before flipping – Allowing the bread to cool for a few minutes before inverting prevents it from falling apart.
- Add extra toppings – Drizzle with cream cheese glaze, caramel sauce, or even sprinkle with chopped nuts for extra flavor!
This Cinnamon Monkey Bread is the perfect mix of gooey, sweet, and cinnamon-spiced goodness. Whether you’re making it for a cozy weekend breakfast or a special occasion, it’s bound to be a favorite.
If you make these Cinnamon Monkey Bread, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below, under the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tik Tok, or Pinterest. For more ideas, check out my Dessert Recipes page.
Cinnamon Monkey Bread
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 tbsp)
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Caramel Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add the melted butter, egg, salt, and flour. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar & Caramel Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, melt the butter.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar together, then stir in the heavy cream and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat.
Assemble the Monkey Bread
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into small pieces (about 1-inch each).
- Roll each piece into a ball, dip in melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Place the coated dough balls in a greased Bundt pan, layering as you go.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the dough balls.
Bake & Glaze
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.
- Let cool for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving plate.
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze.
- Drizzle over the warm monkey bread. Serve and enjoy!
No Comments