Monkey Bread Recipe

If you’ve never made a monkey bread recipe from scratch, you’re in for a real treat. This classic pull-apart bread is covered in cinnamon sugar, drenched in a rich brown sugar butter glaze, and baked in a bundt pan until it forms a caramelized, sticky masterpiece.

It’s one of those recipes that looks impressive but is surprisingly forgiving, making it a favorite for holiday mornings, weekend brunches, and lazy Sunday gatherings.

The classic version uses refrigerated biscuit dough, which cuts down on prep time dramatically while still delivering that fluffy, tender texture everyone loves. Each little dough piece is coated in cinnamon sugar, piled into a pan, and then soaked with a buttery brown sugar sauce that seeps into every crevice as it bakes.

The result is something that sits somewhere between a cinnamon roll and a dessert bread, and honestly, it’s one of the most crowd-pleasing things you can pull out of the oven.

For a related pull-apart classic, you might also love this Pull-Apart Garlic Bread as a savory counterpart to serve alongside eggs or a big brunch spread.

Why You’ll Love This Monkey Bread Recipe

This recipe has been a staple in American kitchens for decades, and once you make it, you’ll understand exactly why it never goes out of style.

It uses just a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Canned biscuit dough makes this completely approachable for even the most beginner bakers, and there’s almost no technical skill required.

The sticky brown sugar glaze soaks into every piece of dough during baking, creating those perfectly caramelized, pull-apart bites that people literally can’t stop eating.

It’s also incredibly versatile. You can serve it at breakfast, dessert, or as a special holiday morning treat.

• Minimal prep time: You can have this in the oven in about 15 minutes.
• Kid-friendly: Kids love pulling pieces apart and eating it with their hands.
• Make-ahead option: You can assemble the whole thing the night before and refrigerate it before baking.
• Uses pantry staples: Biscuit dough, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon are all you need.
• Impressive presentation: Inverted onto a serving plate, it looks absolutely stunning with caramel running down the sides.
• Customizable: Nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips can be added to suit your preferences.

For another sweet breakfast bake your family will devour, check out this Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.

Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe is in how few ingredients you need. Each one plays a specific role in creating that signature gooey, caramelized texture.

• 3 cans (16.3 oz / 462g each) refrigerated Grands-style biscuit dough (about 24 biscuits total)
• 1 cup (200g) granulated white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (220g) packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (170g / 1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Optional: 1/2 cup (60g) chopped pecans or walnuts
• Optional: 1/2 cup (85g) raisins

Read Also: Caramel Sauce Recipe

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Having the right equipment makes this process smooth and mess-free. Most of these items you’ll likely already own.

• 12-cup bundt pan (non-stick preferred)
• Large zip-top plastic bag (gallon size)
• Large mixing bowl
• Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for melting butter
• Pastry brush (optional, for greasing the pan)
• Kitchen scissors or sharp knife for cutting biscuits
• Serving plate or cake stand (slightly larger than the bundt pan)
• Instant-read thermometer (optional but highly recommended)
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

You might also enjoy making Dinner Rolls for another easy, shareable bread recipe.

Recommended Products for This Recipe

These are some genuinely useful products based on quality, performance, and how much they improve the final result.

1. Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Bundt Pan

The pan you use matters more than most people realize for monkey bread. A high-quality, heavy-gauge bundt pan ensures even heat distribution so the outside caramelizes without burning while the inside cooks through. Nordic Ware’s non-stick coating also makes releasing the bread clean and stress-free.

Get it on Amazon

2. OXO Good Grips Instant-Read Thermometer

Since monkey bread is dense and baked in layers, checking for doneness can be tricky. An instant-read thermometer removes all the guesswork. You’re looking for an internal temperature of at least 200°F (93°C) to ensure the dough is fully cooked through.

Get it on Amazon

3. Wilton Non-Stick Baking Spray with Flour

Greasing a bundt pan thoroughly is critical for getting the monkey bread to release cleanly. Wilton’s non-stick baking spray with flour gets into every nook and cranny of the fluted pan and prevents sticking far better than butter and flour applied separately.

Get it on Amazon

4. Gallon Zip-Top Freezer Bags

A gallon-size zip-top bag is the easiest way to coat the biscuit pieces in cinnamon sugar. Drop in a handful of pieces, seal the bag, and shake. It’s quick, mess-free, and ensures every piece is evenly coated.

Get it on Amazon

Another favorite: Brioche Recipe

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Allow the oven to fully preheat before you put the bread in.
• Generously grease a 12-cup bundt pan with non-stick baking spray, making sure to coat every ridge and crevice of the pan. This step is critical. If any area is missed, the bread can stick and tear when you invert it.
• If using butter to grease the pan, use softened butter and a pastry brush to get into every corner, then dust lightly with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Set the prepared pan aside while you work on the dough.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• In a large gallon-size zip-top bag, combine 1 cup (200g) of granulated white sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
• Seal the bag and shake it well to combine the sugar and cinnamon evenly.
• The cinnamon sugar should look uniform in color with no streaks of white sugar remaining.

Step 3: Cut and Coat the Biscuit Dough

• Open each can of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate the individual biscuits. You should have about 24 biscuits total.
• Using clean kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut each biscuit into 4 equal quarters. You will end up with approximately 96 small dough pieces.
• Working in batches of 8 to 10 pieces at a time, drop the dough pieces into the zip-top bag filled with cinnamon sugar.
• Seal the bag and shake it vigorously until every piece is well coated in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Remove the coated pieces and place them directly into the prepared bundt pan. Continue until all dough pieces are coated and in the pan.
• If using optional chopped nuts or raisins, scatter them among the dough pieces as you layer them into the pan. Distribute them evenly so every serving gets some.

Step 4: Make the Brown Sugar Butter Glaze

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, or in a microwave-safe bowl, melt 3/4 cup (170g) of unsalted butter completely.
• Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup (220g) of packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.
• Whisk or stir until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth and cohesive. It does not need to be completely smooth. A few lumps are fine as they will melt during baking.
• Pour the entire brown sugar butter glaze slowly and evenly over the top of the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible so the glaze seeps down through all the layers.

Step 5: Bake the Monkey Bread

• Place the bundt pan on the center rack of your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and no longer looks doughy.
• To check for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the bread. It should read at least 200°F (93°C).
• Alternatively, poke a skewer or toothpick into the center of the bread. It should come out without any raw dough on it.
• If the top is browning too quickly before the center is done, loosely tent the pan with a piece of aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Step 6: Cool and Invert

• Remove the pan from the oven and allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes. Do not skip this resting time.
• If you try to flip it too soon, the caramel glaze will be too runny and the bread may fall apart. If you wait too long, the caramel can harden and stick to the pan.
• After 10 minutes, run a thin metal spatula carefully around the outer edge and inner tube of the bundt pan to loosen any stuck edges.
• Place a large serving plate or cake stand upside down over the bundt pan. In one confident motion, flip the pan and plate together so the monkey bread releases onto the plate.
• Carefully lift the pan away. The caramelized glaze will drip down the sides of the bread beautifully.
• Serve immediately while warm.

Read Also: Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Tips for Success

A few key techniques make the difference between good monkey bread and truly great monkey bread.

• Don’t skip greasing the pan thoroughly. This is the single most important step for a clean release. Use baking spray with flour or apply butter to every single ridge.
• Use cold biscuit dough. Cold dough holds its shape better during coating and baking, giving you distinct pull-apart pieces rather than a melded blob.
• Shake the dough in batches. Overcrowding the bag means uneven coating. Do 8 to 10 pieces at a time for the best results.
• Pour the glaze slowly and evenly. Taking your time here ensures the caramel distributes throughout all the layers, not just the top.
• Flip at exactly 10 minutes. Too early and it falls apart; too late and it sticks. Set a timer.
• Use a plate larger than the pan. The caramel drips down as you invert, so a generous plate catches everything cleanly.
• Check internal temperature. Dense pull-apart bread can look done on the outside but be underbaked in the middle. An instant-read thermometer takes all the guesswork out.

You might also enjoy: French Toast Casserole

Serving Suggestions

Monkey bread is best served warm straight from the pan when the caramel is still soft and sticky.

Set it in the center of the table and let everyone pull pieces off with their hands. That communal, hands-on style of eating is part of what makes it so fun and special.

• Serve it as the centerpiece of a holiday breakfast alongside scrambled eggs and Sausage Balls
• Drizzle slices with a simple vanilla glaze made from powdered sugar and milk for extra sweetness
• Pair it with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or orange wedges to balance the richness
• Serve it as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side
• Add a small pot of Honey Butter on the table for dipping warm pieces
• Pair it with hot coffee, spiced tea, or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate cozy morning

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic, the variations are endless. Here are some of the most popular twists.

• Chocolate Monkey Bread: Add 1/2 cup (85g) of mini chocolate chips layered among the dough pieces before pouring the glaze.
• Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread: Toss small peeled apple cubes with cinnamon and sugar and scatter them throughout the layers for a fall-inspired version.
• Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: Swap the plain cinnamon for 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice and add 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree to the butter glaze.
• Cream Cheese Stuffed Monkey Bread: Wrap each dough quarter around a small cube of cream cheese before coating in cinnamon sugar.
• Savory Garlic Herb Monkey Bread: Skip the cinnamon sugar entirely and coat pieces in garlic butter with Italian herbs and parmesan for a savory appetizer version.
• Pecan Caramel Monkey Bread: Layer a generous 3/4 cup (90g) of whole or roughly chopped pecans throughout the pan for added crunch and a praline-like flavor.
• Overnight Monkey Bread: Assemble everything the night before, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate overnight, and bake in the morning straight from the fridge, adding 5 minutes to the bake time.

This technique also works beautifully with the dough used in Apple Pie Biscuits for an autumn-inspired variation.

Storage and Reheating

Monkey bread is undeniably best on the day it’s made, but leftovers can absolutely be saved and enjoyed the next day.

• Room temperature: Cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to 1 day.
• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The caramel will firm up when cold.
• Freezer: You can freeze fully baked monkey bread. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• To reheat from refrigerator: Microwave individual portions for 20 to 30 seconds, or cover the whole pan loosely with foil and warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
• To reheat from frozen: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat using the oven method above.

Read Also: Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Nutritional Facts

The following values are approximate and based on 12 servings from one pan using the standard recipe without optional add-ins.

Note: Nutritional values will vary depending on the brand of biscuit dough used and whether optional ingredients like nuts or raisins are included.

This is an indulgent treat meant to be enjoyed occasionally, and the serving size is one-twelfth of the pan. Most people pull off smaller pieces as they go, so portion sizes naturally vary.

Another favorite: Dutch Baby Recipe

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

While monkey bread is decidedly a treat, a few of its key ingredients do offer some nutritional value worth noting.

• Cinnamon is one of the most antioxidant-rich spices available. Studies have shown that it may help support blood sugar regulation and has anti-inflammatory properties. Even in small amounts, it contributes meaningful antioxidant activity to this recipe.
• Butter provides fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, E, and K2. When used in moderation, grass-fed butter in particular offers beneficial fatty acids.
• Brown sugar retains trace amounts of molasses, which contains small quantities of iron, calcium, and potassium compared to plain white sugar.

Key nutrients in this recipe:

• Cinnamon: Rich in polyphenol antioxidants, manganese, and anti-inflammatory compounds
• Butter: Source of vitamins A, D, E, and K2, as well as short-chain fatty acids
• Eggs (if used in homemade dough variations): High-quality protein, choline, and B vitamins
• Brown sugar: Contains trace minerals from molasses including iron and potassium
• Vanilla extract: Contains small amounts of antioxidants and may have calming aromatic properties

Read Also: Peach Cobbler Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make monkey bread with homemade dough instead of canned biscuits?

Absolutely. Homemade yeast dough produces a slightly more complex, bread-like flavor compared to canned biscuit dough. To use homemade dough, prepare a basic sweet yeast dough, let it rise once, then cut it into 1-inch pieces and proceed with the cinnamon sugar coating and baking steps exactly as written. The bake time may need to be extended by 5 to 10 minutes due to the denser dough.

2. Why did my monkey bread stick to the pan?

Sticking almost always comes down to insufficient greasing. Bundt pans have lots of ridges and curves that are easy to miss. Use a non-stick baking spray with flour and cover every surface thoroughly. If you prefer to use butter, apply it with a pastry brush and get into every groove, then dust with flour. Avoid pans with damaged or scratched non-stick coating.

3. Can I prepare monkey bread the night before?

Yes, and this is actually one of the best features of this recipe. Assemble the bread fully in the greased bundt pan, including the brown sugar butter glaze. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before baking. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time since the dough will be cold.

4. How do I know when my monkey bread is fully baked?

Look for a deep golden brown color across the entire top surface. The best way to confirm it’s done is to use an instant-read thermometer: the internal temperature should reach at least 200°F (93°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, insert a wooden skewer into the thickest part of the bread. It should come out clean with no raw dough clinging to it. If you’re unsure, an extra 5 minutes in the oven is always better than pulling it too early.

5. Can I use a different pan if I don’t have a bundt pan?

A bundt pan is strongly recommended because its central tube allows heat to reach the interior of the dense bread, ensuring even baking. In a pinch, you can use a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, but the bread will be flatter and the pull-apart texture will be different. You can also place a small oven-safe ramekin in the center of a round cake pan to mimic the bundt pan shape. Reduce the bake time slightly when using a wider, shallower pan.

For another fun, shareable sweet treat, this Easy Churro Recipe is a crowd-pleaser with similar cinnamon sugar flavors.

Final Thoughts

This monkey bread recipe is the kind of thing that brings people together around the table and has them reaching for piece after piece with big smiles on their faces.

It’s simple enough for a beginner but satisfying enough that even experienced bakers keep coming back to it.

The combination of gooey caramelized brown sugar, warm cinnamon, and soft pull-apart dough is genuinely hard to beat, and the look on people’s faces when you flip that bundt pan and the caramel cascades down the sides is priceless.

Go ahead and give it a try this weekend. Whether it becomes a holiday morning tradition or a go-to whenever you need something showstopping without the stress, you won’t regret it.

If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Sharing photos with friends and family is also one of the best parts of baking, so tag your creations on social media.

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