5 from 2 votes

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.

Cinnamon roll monkey bread on a platter.


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!

    Cinnamon roll monkey bread on a platter.

    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.
    Ingredients to make cinnamon roll monkey bread.

    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. 
    Steps to make cinnamon roll monkey bread.
    • 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. 
    Steps to make cinnamon roll monkey bread glaze.

    It’s the perfect breakfast for a special occasion!

    Cinnamon roll monkey bread on a platter.

    Equipment Needed 

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    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. 
    A hand holding a piece of cinnamon roll monkey bread.

    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. 

    A slice of cinnamon roll monkey bread on a server.

    More Delicious Cinnamon Desserts

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    If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

    5 from 2 votes

    Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 8
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 50 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Super moist and delicious. This pull-apart bread is a great holiday morning treat or a fun family dessert.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cans Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tbsp milk

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray a fluted tube pan with cooking spray.
    • Open can of cinnamon rolls and separate along perforations. Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters and place in pan.
    • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until dough is cooked and golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before flipping over onto a plate.

    Glaze

    • Stir together milk and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Adjust consistency by adding more milk/powdered sugar. Drizzle glaze over the top of monkey bread and serve warm.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 136mg | Sugar: 19g

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Keyword cinnamon rolls, dessert hacks, monkey bread

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    20 Comments

    1. I am going to make this the next time we have company for breakfast. It looks easy and delicious.

    2. Yum..I have been to the Pillsbury Bake off 3 times , so I usually do have the cinnamon rolls in my refrigerator. LOL.. Wish I had some of this right now with my tea.

    3. Oh so yummy!! I love monkey bread, and cinnamon rolls are my weakness! ;p Pinning for later! Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictories

    4. Question – What do you do with the frosting that is already included in the container of Cinnamon Rolls?

      1. You can use that instead of making the glaze or save it to use in another recipe.

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