Monkey Bread Recipe: A Deliciously Easy Dessert
Monkey bread is a pull-apart bread that's incredibly easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe delivers a wonderfully sweet and gooey treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert. Let's dive into the details!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for beginner bakers.
- 1 loaf (1 pound) refrigerated bread dough: You can find this in most grocery stores. Using refrigerated dough simplifies the process significantly.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted: The melted butter provides richness and helps create a wonderfully golden-brown crust.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: This provides the necessary sweetness. Adjust to your preferred level of sweetness.
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a touch of molasses flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and spice that enhances the overall flavor profile.
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional): Nuts add texture and a delightful crunch. Feel free to omit if you prefer a nut-free version.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Follow these simple steps to bake your delicious monkey bread:
Prepare the Coating:
- Melt the butter: In a medium bowl, melt the butter completely.
- Mix the sugars and cinnamon: In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly.
- Combine butter and sugar mixture: Add the melted butter to the sugar mixture and stir until well combined.
Assemble the Monkey Bread:
- Cut the dough: Cut the refrigerated bread dough into 1-inch pieces.
- Coat the dough: Toss the dough pieces in the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. This is where you'd add the nuts, if using.
- Grease the bundt pan: Generously grease a 10-inch bundt pan with cooking spray or butter. This prevents sticking and makes for easy removal.
- Arrange the dough: Arrange the coated dough pieces in the prepared bundt pan, packing them tightly together.
Bake and Enjoy:
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Cool and invert: Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. This allows it to set and prevents it from falling apart.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve warm and enjoy this irresistible pull-apart bread!
Tips and Variations:
- Different nuts: Experiment with other nuts like almonds or macadamia nuts.
- Spiced variations: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a unique twist.
- Chocolate chips: Add chocolate chips to the butter-sugar mixture for a decadent chocolate monkey bread.
- Glaze: Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over the finished monkey bread for extra sweetness.
This easy monkey bread recipe is a guaranteed success! Remember to share your creations and tag us using #MonkeyBreadRecipe. Happy baking!
