Classic Monkey Bread

Classic Monkey Bread is one of those recipes that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious. Just the thought of those gooey, cinnamon-sugar-coated bites makes my mouth water! Each pull-apart piece is the perfect mix of soft, buttery dough and sweet, sticky caramel—guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is to make. Whether baking it for a weekend brunch, a holiday breakfast, or just because you’re craving something sweet, Classic Monkey Bread is always a crowd-pleaser. You can even make it your own by tossing in some walnuts and raisins or skipping the extras altogether for a more traditional take. Either way, it’s bound to disappear quickly!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy mornings or last-minute gatherings.
• It’s versatile. Whether it’s for brunch, a holiday breakfast, or a dessert to share, Classic Monkey Bread fits any occasion.
• The smell is irresistible. Your kitchen will fill with the heavenly aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and butter—almost as good as the taste itself!
• It’s fun to eat. The pull-apart pieces make it interactive and enjoyable for everyone at the table, from kids to adults.
• It’s customizable. Love a little crunch? Add some chopped walnuts. Craving extra sweetness? Toss in raisins. You can easily make it your own.
• It’s always a crowd-pleaser. No matter when or where you serve it, this dish never fails to impress and disappear in no time!

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Sugar: Used with cinnamon to coat the dough pieces, giving them that signature sweet flavor.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to the sugar coating for a classic flavor combination.
• Pillsbury Grands Crescent Rolls or Biscuits: The base of the recipe creates the soft, fluffy, pull-apart dough.
• Walnuts: Optional, but they add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
• Raisins: Another optional ingredient, perfect for adding a touch of sweetness and texture.
• Brown Sugar: Combines with butter to create the gooey, caramel-like sauce that coats the monkey bread.
• Salted Butter: Melts with the brown sugar to add richness and bind everything together.

How to Make Classic Monkey Bread

Follow along to learn how to make classic monkey bread.

• Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a fluted tube pan with cooking spray.
• Step Two: Add sugar and cinnamon to a plastic baggie and mix.
• Step Three: If using crescent rolls, separate dough along perforations. Roll each triangle into a crescent shape. Cut into one-inch cubes. If using biscuits, separate the dough and cut each biscuit into quarters.
• Step Four: Add dough to baggie in small batches and shake to coat. Place coated dough into tube pan, arranging evenly throughout.
• Step Five: Add walnuts and raisins throughout the dough.

• Step Six: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and butter. Pour evenly over the dough mixture.
• Step Seven: Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown. Ensure the center is not doughy since this is the last area to bake. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before flipping upside down on a plate. Serve warm.

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What to Serve with It

• Fresh fruit or a fruit salad: The natural sweetness and freshness of fruit balance out the rich, gooey flavors of the monkey bread.
• Scrambled eggs or an egg bake: Adding something savory and full of protein creates a more rounded breakfast or brunch spread. Try Quiche Lorraine or Crustless Bacon, Spinach and Mushroom Quiche.
• Bacon or sausage: A little salty, savory goodness goes perfectly with the cinnamon-sugar sweetness. Try Bacon Breakfast Casserole.
• Coffee or tea: A warm drink is the ultimate pairing for those sticky, sweet bites.
• Vanilla ice cream: If you’re serving monkey bread for dessert, a scoop of ice cream turns it into an unforgettable treat.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the nuts. If walnuts aren’t your favorite, try pecans or almonds for a different crunch and flavor. Or leave them out entirely if you prefer a nut-free version.
• Skip the raisins. Not a fan of raisins? No problem—just leave them out, or replace them with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or even mini chocolate chips for a fun twist.
• Try flavored dough. Use flavored biscuits, like honey butter or buttermilk, to add a little extra something to the base.
• Make it extra gooey. Add a handful of mini marshmallows between the dough layers for a melty, caramel-like texture.
• Go fruity. Toss in some diced apples or pears for a fresh, fruity spin that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and sugar.
• Add a glaze. Drizzle the finished monkey bread with cream cheese glaze, powdered sugar icing, or even melted chocolate for a bakery-style finish.
• Use alternative sugars. For a slightly different flavor, swap out the brown sugar for coconut sugar or mix in a little maple syrup.
• Make it savory. Want to try something completely different? Skip the sugar and cinnamon, and make a savory version with garlic butter, shredded cheese, and fresh herbs.

Storage Instructions

• At Room Temperature: Monkey bread can be stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but it’ll still be tasty the next day.
• In the Refrigerator: For longer storage, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back the gooey goodness.
• In the Freezer: If you want to save some for later, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or use a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed.

Why Is It Called Monkey Bread?

Monkey Bread gets its name from the fun, pick-apart way you eat it—just like how monkeys use their hands to grab and nibble on food! It’s all about pulling off those gooey, cinnamon-sugar-coated pieces with your fingers, making it a treat that’s as playful as it is delicious.

You don’t need a knife to enjoy this—you can dig in with your hands, grab a toothpick, or even use a fork if you’re feeling fancy.

This sweet, sticky breakfast favorite goes by many names, including monkey puzzle bread, bubble bread, sticky bread, African coffee cake, pinch-me cake, and pluck-it cake.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Coat the dough thoroughly. Shake the dough pieces well in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to make sure every piece is evenly coated for that signature flavor.
• Layer evenly. When adding the coated dough to the pan, layer it evenly. This helps the bread bake uniformly and ensures every bite has that gooey, caramelized goodness.
• Keep an eye on the baking time. Ovens can vary, so check for doneness around the 28-minute mark. The center is the last to cook, so make sure it’s not doughy before pulling it out of the oven.
• Cool before flipping. Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before flipping it onto a plate. This gives the caramel sauce a chance to set slightly, so it doesn’t run everywhere.
• Use nonstick spray. Be generous when spraying your pan—this sticky treat needs a little help to slide out easily.
• Serve it warm. Monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when it’s warm, soft, and gooey.

Do I Have to Use a Bundt Pan?

Monkey bread is traditionally baked in a bundt pan, giving it that beautiful, glazed crown that makes it iconic. The shape isn’t just for looks—it helps the bread cook evenly, ensuring the edges don’t overbake while the center stays perfectly done.

If you don’t have a bundt pan, don’t worry! You can use an angel food cake pan or even a baking dish or loaf pan in a pinch. Just make sure it has tall sides to hold the bread’s shape. If you go this route, keep a close eye on the center—it’s the last part to bake. Use a toothpick to check for doneness, and if it comes out clean, you’re good to go!

While a bundt pan is ideal for the best results, you can still enjoy monkey bread no matter what pan you use!

Sweet Breakfast Recipes

• Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
• Apple Cinnamon Bun Breakfast Casserole
• Butterscotch Pecan Monkey Bread
• Banana Raspberry Muffins
• Banana Bread Breakfast Casserole
• Apple Pie French Toast Casserole

You’ll also like this Pizza Monkey Bread and Cheddar Dill Muffins.

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

Rate this Recipe

4.75 from 4 votes

Classic Monkey Bread

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Servings 8

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 32 minutes minutes

Total Time 42 minutes minutes

Learn how to make Classic Monkey Bread, a gooey, pull-apart treat perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Easy, delicious, and customizable!

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Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ ½ cup sugar
• ▢ 1 tsp cinnamon
• ▢ 2 cans Pillsbury Grands Crescent Rolls or Grands Flaky Rolls biscuits
• ▢ ½ cup walnuts chopped
• ▢ ½ cup raisins
• ▢ 1 cup brown sugar
• ▢ ¾ cup salted butter melted

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a fluted tube pan with cooking spray.
• Add sugar and cinnamon to a plastic baggie and mix.
• If using crescent rolls, separate dough along perforations. Roll each triangle into a crescent shape. Cut into one inch cubes. If using biscuits, separate dough and cut each biscuit into quarters.
• In small batches, add dough to baggie and shake to coat. Place coated dough into tube pan, arranging evenly throughout.
• Add walnuts and raisins throughout the dough.
• In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and butter. Pour evenly over dough mixture.
• Bake for 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown. Check to make sure the centre is not doughy since this is the last area to cook. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before flipping upside down on a plate. Serve warm.

Notes

Adapted from a Pillsbury recipe.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 433mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 43g

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 monkey bread

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