Homemade Monkey Bread Recipe - From Scratch with Make Ahead Option
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cmilk
warmed to 110-115 degrees
- 4 tbspbutter)
divided (2 melted and 2 softened for pan
- ¼ cgranulated sugar
- 1 tbspyeast
both instant or active dry work
- 3 ¼ cunbleached flour*
may need up to 1/4 cup more when kneading
- 1 ½ tspsalt
- 1 cbrown sugar
- 1 tbspcinnamon
- 6 tbspbutter
melted
- ½ cpowdered sugar
- 1 tbspmilk
Directions
Make dough:
- 1
Add milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter, sugar and yeast to a large measuring cup and stir to combine. Mix 3¼ cup flour and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer with a dough hook on low.** Slowly add the milk-yeast mixture and stir until dough comes together. Increase speed to next level and knead the dough for abut 6 minutes, adding 2-3 tablespoons of flour (a tablespoon at a time) as needed for dough to clear sides of bowl (the dough should still be sticking to the bottom of the bowl, though).
- 2
Remove dough from mixing bowl to a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball. Coat bowl with oil (I simply use the bowl I mixed in), replace dough in bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and leave to sit until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- 3
Use the 2 tablespoons of softened butter to liberally coat a Bundt pan.
- 4
Remove dough to a lightly floured surface (I use a tea towel for easy clean up) and pat into about an 8x9" rough rectangle. Use a long knife to cut into 64 pieces - it doesn't matter if they're even or not.
Coat dough:
- 1
Place the melted butter in one small bowl and combine brown sugar and cinnamon in another bowl.
- 2
Roll each piece of dough into a rough ball, dip in melted butter and then roll in the brown sugar coating. Place in buttered pan, layering and staggering dough balls as needed to make an even loaf. Sprinkle any extra sugar-cinnamon mixture on the top.
To bake today:
- 1
Cover pan with plastic and set in a warm place to rise for an hour. Preheat oven to 350 during the last 15 minutes of rise time.
- 2
Remove cover, place in heated oven and bake 30-40 minutes until the bread is very browned and the sides are bubbling. Cool for 5 minutes in pan before turning out onto a serving platter (use hot pads to hold the pan, as it will still be hot).
Make ahead to bake in the morning:
- 1
Cover pan with plastic and leave out on counter for 30 minutes before placing in the refrigerator to finish rising slowly overnight.
- 2
Remove pan from refrigerator abut 2 hours before you want to serve it. Leave at room temperature, still covered, 45 minutes to 1 hour and preheat oven to 350 degrees the last 15 minutes.
- 3
Remove cover, place in heated oven and bake 30-40 minutes until the bread is very browned and the sides are bubbling. Cool for 5 minutes in pan before turning out onto a serving platter (use hot pads to hold the pan, as it will still be hot).
Make optional glaze:
- 1
Whisk together powdered sugar and milk to a pouring consistency. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread and serve while still warm.
Homemade Monkey Bread Recipe - From Scratch with Make Ahead Option
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About this Recipe
Indulge in the Ultimate Homemade Monkey Bread Experience
There's nothing quite like the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked monkey bread filling your kitchen. This Homemade Monkey Bread Recipe is a true delight, offering a superior experience to store-bought versions. Made from scratch with a tender, yeasted dough, each pull-apart piece is coated in a sticky, sweet cinnamon-sugar glaze that's simply irresistible. It's the perfect treat for any breakfast, brunch, or a special holiday food gathering.
What makes this recipe truly special is its incredible versatility and flavor. Unlike recipes using canned biscuits, our homemade monkey bread dough results in a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth. Plus, with a convenient make-ahead monkey bread option, you can prepare the dough the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning, making busy mornings or leisurely weekends a breeze. Imagine waking up to freshly baked goodness with minimal effort!
This recipe is not just delicious, it's also incredibly fun to make with kids. They'll love rolling the dough balls in cinnamon sugar and arranging them in the pan.
Tips for the Perfect Pull-Apart Treat
- Dough Perfection: Ensure your milk is warmed to the correct temperature (110-115°F) to activate the yeast without killing it. This is key for a fluffy dough.
- Flavor Boosts: Elevate your homemade monkey bread! Consider adding a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a nutty crunch. A teaspoon of orange zest can also brighten the flavors beautifully.
- Serving Suggestions: While fantastic on its own, try serving warm monkey bread with a dollop of whipped cream, a side of fresh berries, or alongside your favorite coffee or tea for an unforgettable brunch spread. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings smiles to every face.