This is a shortcut recipe for classic Cinnamon Monkey Bread made with frozen bread dough rolls, sugar, cinnamon, pecans and a delicious caramel sauce. Not only is this recipe declicious, but it makes a great presentation when served. You only need a handful of ingredients to make another one of my best cinnamon roll recipes everyone loves.
Cinnamon Monkey Bread is perfect for a special birthday, holiday celebration or simply friends over for Sunday brunch.
I think what you'll like most about this recipe is the caramel pecan sauce that is poured over the risen bread rolls right before baking in the oven. It creates a delicious flavor that's gooey, warm and delicious.
Table of Contents
Why is it called Monkey Bread?
Monkey bread is also known as pull-apart bread. It can be either sweet or savory; although most of the time it's made into a cinnamon/sugar sweet bread.
And it's almost always baked in a bundt pan. Once the bread is baked, it's inverted onto a plate and then you simply pull apart the bread pieces and enjoy!
Biscuit Monkey Bread
If your family loves monkey bread as much as mine does, you might want to check out my Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread made with Pillsbury Grands Biscuits. There's even an individual mason jar monkey bread that's yummy too.
If you want to try a savory recipe, there's my Garlic Parmesan Monkey Bread recipe as well as Pepperoni Mozzarella Monkey Bread.
How to Make Monkey Bread in the Air Fryer
You can make any of these monkey bread recipes using an air fryer. Follow the directions and tips in my Air Fryer Pizza Monkey Bread recipe.
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Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- Frozen yeast dinner rolls - Rhodes is the brand used for this recipe.
- Butter
- White sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Pure vanilla extract
- Chopped pecans
Instructions
Step 1 | Combine the Ingredients
- Spray the bundt generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Then sprinkle the chopped pecans on the bottom of the bundt pan.
- Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside while you melt the butter.
- Add a frozen roll in the melted butter and cover thoroughly, then coat evenly with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Put the coated bread roll in the bottom of the bundt pan as seen in the photo below.
- Repeat until all the rolls are layered in the bundt pan.
Step 2 | Allow Bread to Rise
- Cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap and let rise until the rolls have doubled in size.
- This could take 2 to 4 hours.
Step 3 | Prepare the Caramel Sauce
- Melt the remaining half stick of butter in the microwave and combine with the brown sugar and vanilla extract.
- Pour the butter/sugar mixture evenly over the bread.
Baking Tip: Place the bundt pan on top of a baking tray that's been lined with either parchment paper or aluminum foil to catch any drippings.
Step 4 | Baking Instructions
- Bake in a preheated 350°F for 35 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing the bread from the bundt pan.
- Allow to cool on a cooling rack before pulling apart to eat.
Before You Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
Monkey bread is done when it's puffed up and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
If you don't have a bundt pan, you can use an 8 or 10 inch tube pan. You can also bake individual monkey breads using a cupcake pan.
Variations
- Savory- make a savory monkey bread version using my Homemade Garlic Butter recipe.
- Deluxe - try adding mini chocolate chips with the pecans. You can even add cream cheese cut in small pieces with the rolls.
Storage Tips
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave.
- These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Top Recipe Tip
Make sure you bake the bundt pan on top of a baking tray to avoid any spillage while baking.
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Cinnamon Monkey Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 ounce frozen yeast rolls
- ¾ cup butter; divided
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Spray the bundt generously with nonstick cooking spray.
- Then sprinkle the chopped pecans on the bottom of the bundt pan.
- Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside while you melt the butter.
- Add a frozen roll in the melted butter and cover thoroughly, then coat evenly with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Put the coated bread roll in the bottom of the bundt pan as seen in the photo below.
- Repeat until all the rolls are layered in the bundt pan.
- Cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap and let rise until the rolls have doubled in size.
- This could take 2 to 4 hours.
- Melt the remaining half stick of butter in the microwave and combine with the brown sugar and vanilla extract.
- Pour the butter/sugar mixture evenly over the bread.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F for 35 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing the bread from the bundt pan.
- Allow to cool on a cooling rack before pulling apart to eat.
suzan white says
Thank you..I have to try looks so good and easy
Lois says
Thank you!