Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

If you’re looking for a sweet, gooey, and utterly irresistible treat that comes together in no time, this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how this turns out—soft, cinnamon-sugary dough bites baked into one beautiful, pull-apart bundt cake that your family will go crazy for. Whether you’re making it for a weekend brunch or a cozy dessert, it’s always a hit in my kitchen.

You’ll find that this monkey bread is not only delicious, but incredibly simple to make with just a handful of ingredients. I used to struggle with complicated recipes, but this one makes baking stress-free and fun, especially when you have hungry kids waiting! Plus, it’s a fantastic recipe to share and enjoy warm, fresh from the oven.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to create that signature sticky-sweet monkey bread you know and love. When shopping, grab the canned cinnamon rolls with the icing included—you can drizzle the icing on top for extra indulgence.

• Sugar: This white sugar combines with cinnamon to give the dough its initial sweet coating.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is key for that classic warm spice flavor; I always use fresh cinnamon for the best aroma.
• Grands Cinnamon Rolls (canned): The foundation of the recipe—pre-made dough makes everything so much easier and just as delicious.
• Brown sugar: Adds a rich molasses flavor and sticky texture when combined with melted butter.
• Butter (melted): Melting the butter allows it to coat the dough balls and mix with brown sugar to form the gooey topping.

Variations

I like to personalize this Easy Monkey Bread Recipe depending on the season or who I’m serving it to – it’s so flexible and forgiving.

• Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch; my family loves this tweak especially around the holidays.
• Spice it up: Throw in a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon-sugar mix for a warm, cozy twist.
• Go fruit-forward: Mix in mini chocolate chips or dried cranberries for little bursts of flavor in every bite.
• Skip the icing: For a less sweet, more buttery experience, omit the icing drizzle at the end.

How to Make Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a bundt pan or any cake pan with nonstick spray or butter—this will help your monkey bread release easily after baking.

Step 2: Coat the Dough Bites

Open your cans of Grands Cinnamon Rolls and cut each roll into quarters—this gives you perfect bite-sized pieces. Toss these pieces into a large Ziploc bag along with the white sugar and cinnamon. Seal the bag and shake it up until every piece is evenly coated with that sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. This is one of my favorite steps because it’s so easy and mess-free!

Step 3: Layer in the Pan and Add Topping

Remove the coated dough pieces from the bag and arrange them evenly in your prepared pan. Then, mix the brown sugar and melted butter in a small bowl until smooth, and pour this luscious mix all over the dough balls. This butter-brown sugar combo melts and caramelizes as it bakes, creating that signature gooey monkey bread magic.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake your monkey bread for 28 to 32 minutes—keep an eye out for a golden brown top and check that it’s no longer doughy in the center with a toothpick test. Once baked, cool it in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a serving plate. The anticipation of pulling those soft, sticky pieces apart is half the fun!

Step 5: Drizzle and Serve

If you want to take it up a notch, drizzle the included icing from the cinnamon rolls over the top right after flipping. Serve warm and watch everyone dig in—you won’t regret it!

How to Serve Easy Monkey Bread Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple—just the icing drizzle from the cinnamon rolls is enough. But sometimes, I sprinkle chopped pecans or a little powdered sugar on top for a nice touch. Fresh berries on the side add a burst of color and balance the sweetness nicely too.

Side Dishes

This monkey bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. For brunch, I love adding scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive brunch or holiday table, I’ve served monkey bread in mini muffin tins for individual pull-apart portions. It’s also fun to wrap it as a gift by popping it in a decorative box with parchment paper, making it a thoughtful homemade treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. I usually keep mine covered on the countertop, and it stays moist and soft.

Freezing

I’ve had good luck freezing leftover monkey bread by wrapping it well in foil and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready, I thaw it overnight in the fridge, then warm it gently in the oven to revive that fresh-baked charm.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm the entire loaf in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes, covered loosely with foil. This brings back the softness without drying it out—and you can refresh the icing drizzle too!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Monkey Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings everyone to the table with smiles and sticky fingers—it’s pure comfort food that’s simple to make! If you’re craving something sweet and satisfying without complicated steps, this recipe is a winner every time. Give it a try and get ready to enjoy endless warm, pull-apart joy with family and friends.

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