Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Super moist and delicious, this pull-apart cinnamon roll monkey bread is a great holiday morning treat or a fun family dessert.

So, you bought some Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls. Now what? You could follow the standard directions and whip up a batch. But if you want something different that’s just as simple, try this recipe for Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread.

Monkey bread is the type of recipe that, once you make it, you’ll never forget how. You’ll want to keep cans of cinnamon rolls on hand all the time! You’ll also be able to customize the recipe into whatever flavors you choose. Almost anything can be turned into monkey bread! We even have a pizza monkey bread recipe. But using cinnamon rolls is one of my favorite versions—it’s so easy!

I call this semi homemade monkey bread. While the glaze is homemade, you’ll save time by using canned cinnamon roll dough. All you need is a can of refrigerated cinnamon roll dough and two ingredients to make the glaze. That’s it. Put the cut up cinnamon roll dough into your fluted tube pan or Bundt pan, and the magic will happen in your oven.

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It’s the perfect dish to make for a Christmas morning breakfast or brunch because it’s SO easy to put together. Pop it in the oven before you open gifts, and in about an hour, it’s hot and ready. Sweet, sticky, and full of cinnamon flavor, it’ll become a holiday tradition!

Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

• It’s an easy monkey bread and a fun twist on a classic breakfast or dessert.
• Ooey, gooey, sticky, and sweet!
• Only three simple ingredients (plus cooking spray)
• Kids love this fun breakfast, and this recipe is so simple that the kids can make it themselves (with supervision, of course)
• Super simple thanks to using premade cinnamon rolls
• Will make your home smell incredible while the bread is baking
• Tastes homemade even though it’s made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe Ingredients 

You need only a few simple ingredients to make this sweet bread. How easy is that? For exact measurements and directions, please refer to the recipe card below.

• Cooking Spray: This is important for keeping the cinnamon rolls from sticking to the pan. 
• Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls: Using prepared cinnamon rolls makes this pull-apart bread easy to put together. I used Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls, but use any large cinnamon rolls you like.
• Powdered Sugar: Instead of the cream cheese icing that comes in the package, you’ll be making an easy peasy powdered sugar glaze to sweeten the cinnamon roll bread. 
• Milk: You’ll add the milk to the powdered sugar to make the simple glaze. Use whole milk, 2% milk, or whatever you have  on hand.

How to Make Easy Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

• Step One: Preheat your oven to 325F. Spray a fluted tube pan (Bundt cake pan) with nonstick spray.
• Step Two: Open the cans of unbaked cinnamon rolls and separate them along the perforations. Cut each cinnamon roll into equal pieces and place in the prepared bundt pan. All the small pieces are what makes it a “pull apart” bread. Even though the pieces stick back together, they’ll be easy to pull apart.
• Step Three: Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven or until dough is cooked and golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before flipping over onto a plate. 

• Step Four: Make the glaze. Stir together milk and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Adjust consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar. Drizzle glaze over the top of the monkey bread, and serve warm. 

It’s the perfect breakfast for a special occasion!

Equipment Needed 

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• Bundt cake pan (Fluted tube pan)
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Knife set

What to Serve with Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

This Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is great all on its own for a delicious snack or dessert, but you could certainly serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle of the powdered sugar glaze or caramel sauce on top to make it even more decadent.

We think it’s scrumptious with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or this Cinnamon Hot Chocolate during the holiday season.

If you’re making this for breakfast or brunch, pair it with fresh fruit and savory, delicious recipes like Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole, Bacon and Egg Biscuit Casserole, or Spicy Egg Muffins. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks 

• Make sure you choose the Grands size of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. You’ll know when the monkey bread is done because it will puff up in the pan and will turn a toasty brown color.
• Grease the pan well. Make sure the bottom and sides are both coated with the cooking spray. You can use melted butter instead, but make sure to use a brush to ensure all the nooks and crannies are coated.
• Don’t want to make your own glaze? Just use the icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls!
• Remove the monkey bread after 10 minutes. Although it needs a little time to cool before flipping, you don’t want to leave it in the pan too long or else it will overcook and get hard.

Variations and Substitutions 

• Add nuts! Chopped pecans or walnuts are a great choice.
• Serve with pure maple syrup and whipped cream instead of the powdered sugar glaze.
• Add small pieces of diced apple and apple pie spice for a wonderful fall dessert.
• Caramel is another yummy sauce you can use instead of the glaze.
• Try raisins or dried cranberries with your cinnamon roll pull apart bread.
• The brown sugar glaze from our Brown Sugar Cookies would taste amazing on this monkey bread. You’ll need to double the recipe for the glaze, though: ½ cup dark brown sugar, ½ cup powdered sugar, and ¼ cup milk. 

Storage Instructions 

This cinnamon roll pull apart bread recipe should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated—in fact, putting it in the fridge will harden the leftover monkey bread. 

Can I Freeze Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread? 

Although you could freeze this recipe, I don’t recommend it. Freezing and thawing it will alter the texture. I recommend making it fresh instead. It only takes 10 minutes to prep, and you can do other things while it bakes. It’s much better when served the same day it’s made.

If you freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and then put it in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the microwave in 15-second increments.

FAQ

Why is it called monkey bread?

It’s called monkey bread because of how it’s eaten. You pull it apart and eat it with your fingers, much like a monkey eats its food.

Do you have to use a Bundt pan?

No, you can use other pans, too! A 9×13 pan like a casserole, loaf pan, or even a jumbo muffin tin can work for making pull-apart bread, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and keep a close eye on the bread to avoid overcooking it. Wouldn’t cinnamon roll monkey bread muffins be fun? However, a bundt pan offers the prettiest presentation and more even cooking.

Can you use the icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls?

Yes, absolutely, though it’s not really thin enough to drizzle over the entire monkey bread. We like having lots of glaze, so I make my own. You can easily double or triple the homemade glaze so you have some to dunk the bread into. 

More Delicious Cinnamon Desserts

• Mini Rum Butter Cinnamon Rolls
• Cinnamon Raisin Breakfast Casserole
• Slow Cooker Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding
• Cheesecake Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls
• Biscoff Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake
• Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls

You’ll also like Classic Monkey Bread.

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