Easy Monkey Bread

If you're looking for an easy monkey bread recipe, this is it! You'll get some sweet cinnamon-sugar bites, covered in icing and baked in a bundt cake to perfection.

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What is monkey bread?

I remember having monkey bread as a kid. It was definitely one of the rare treats we only had on special occasions. While I knew what monkey bread was (the delicious breakfast we always looked forward to!) I never questioned the name. For this post, I thought it would be helpful to know a little background about monkey bread!

According to my brief research, the name "monkey bread" comes from the fact that this pastry is typically a finger food. To eat it you pick it apart "like a monkey would." Some people also call this pastry "pull-apart bread." Whatever you call this soft, flaky, sweet pastry—it's delicious. Each bite of cinnamon sugar dough is covered in frosting for perfection!

This dish looks so eloquent that I spent years avoiding making it. With the holidays coming up, I wanted to create an easy recipe that would be quick, delicious, and perfect for a festive morning with the family. Cue this recipe: tasty, EASY monkey bread!

What ingredients do I need?

To keep things simple, this recipe has 10 ingredients or fewer!

For the dough:

• Kodiak Cakes Mix - Instead of flour, I use Kodiak Cakes for the dough of the monkey bread. I love the flavor, the nutritional components, and how easy it is to use. I use the classic Buttermilk flavor for this recipe.
• Unsalted butter - For extra fluffy, soft dough, we need to add butter!
• Egg - You'll just need one of whatever kind of egg you like to use while baking.
• Milk - This will help to create a fluffy texture for the dough. I use whole milk for baking, but you can use whatever kind you have in the fridge.
• Brown sugar - Brown sugar contains molasses (and a better flavor in my opinion), which is why I prefer baking with it compared to white sugar. This will sweeten up our dough for the classic monkey bread taste we're going for.
• Cinnamon - Adding cinnamon is key to this recipe! You really can't add too much, but remember that a little goes a long way!
• Vanilla extract - I'm a firm believer that ever baked goods needs some vanilla.
• Baking powder - Although Kodiak Cakes mix does have leavening, we're going to add some extra baking powder so we have extra soft, fluffy dough bites.
• Greek yogurt - This isn't a typical ingredient in monkey breads -- most will use cream cheese, whipping cream, or something of the sort. I use greek yogurt to help create a texture I love!

For the cinnamon sugar coating

• Brown sugar - Trust me, you want brown sugar & cinnamon coating on every piece of dough, so it's important to have this as a coating!
• Cinnamon - The cinnamon is the other important coating ingredient. You don't need as much cinnamon as brown sugar. A little goes a long way!

For the vanilla glaze

• Powdered sugar - For homemade icing, sifted powdered sugar is KEY. "Does it have to be sifted?" Technically no, because it won't change the taste. But also yes, because it will result in a creamier, not-clumpy consistency.
• Vanilla extract - A little of this will add the vanilla flavor for our vanilla frosting!
• Milk - The kind of milk isn't too important, but a thicker milk will create a creamier frosting.

What substitutions can I make?

I haven't experimented with any of these substitutions, but I bet some of these will work. Here are a few ideas:

• Milk - You can try a variation of milk or creams for the dough and icing depending on what you have in available in your fridge.
• Brown Sugar - I like to use brown sugar, but I bet white sugar or coconut sugar will work well.
• Greek yogurt - I add greek yogurt to the dough, but you can try some sort of other creamy liquid like whipping cream or more milk. You will likely need to experiment with the ratios though!

How long does this take to make?

This recipe is incredibly quick and easy! It will take about 15 minutes for you to gather the ingredients and prepare the dough. Once it is in the oven, you'll let it bake for about 20 minutes. This easy monkey bread is a recipe you can start, finish, and clean up in under an hour!

What is the process?

I promise you this recipe for easy monkey bread is actually easy! Here's what you'll do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Make the cinnamon sugar coating by combining the cinnamon and sugar in a bag. Set aside.
• Add the butter to a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high to melt.
• Combine the melted butter and remaining dough ingredients to a large bowl. Stir well until small crumbles form. If necessary, add a tablespoon or two of extra kodiak cakes mix, as necessary, so dough isn’t overly sticky.
• Remove the mixture and knead on a cutting board sprinkled with kodiak cakes mix. The dough should be tacky, not sticky.
• Cut the dough into small pieces (I was able to get about 50 pieces from this amount of dough). Form the pieces into balls and add the pieces about 5 at a time to the bag of cinnamon sugar mixture. Shake well and then place the coated pieces in the greased pan. Repeat until all pieces are covered in mixture and lined in the pan.
• Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the larger dough pieces comes out without batter.
• Allow the monkey bread to cool for about 10 minutes on wire rack.
• Make the vanilla glaze by adding all of the ingredients to a bowl and mixing well.
• Place a plate over the top of the pan and invert to remove monkey bread from the pan.
• Drizzle the monkey bread with the vanilla icing.

When should I make this recipe?

You can make this recipe in the morning right before you need it or prep it the night before. This recipe is great for kids, adults, or really any age. It's perfect for a crowd, gathering, or any holiday!

How do I store these?

This monkey bread is the best when it is warm and fresh. However, it will keep in an airtight for about 3 days. Simply place it on a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for about 45 seconds before enjoying it again.

Looking for more similar recipes?

If you haven’t guessed, I’m a big breakfast fan! Search my breakfast recipes for more easy, healthy breakfast ideas. Here are some additional easy breakfast recipes, perfect for a crowd:

• Baked Pancakes
• Cinnamon Roll Pancake Skillet
• Easy Pancake Skillet

Can I have the recipe?

If you try this easy monkey bread and love it, please rate it and me know your thoughts!