Cinnamon Monkey Bread

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min.

Makes

16 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Is it possible for four kids to cook together without total chaos in the kitchen? Yes, with the right recipe! This cinnamon roll monkey bread is a favorite with my bunch. They get to "play" as they roll pieces of refrigerated biscuit dough into balls. —Lisa Combs, Greenville, Ohio

Ingredients

  • 4 tubes (7-1/2 ounces each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces; shape into balls. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Roll each ball in cinnamon sugar. Arrange balls evenly in a generously greased 9- or 10-in. fluted tube pan. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
  2. Combine butter and brown sugar; pour over the top. Place tube pan on baking sheet; bake until dough is golden brown and cooked through, 35-45 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before inverting bread onto a serving platter.
Cinnamon Monkey Bread Tips

How can you make this monkey bread recipe your own?

Instead of baking in a tube or Bundt pan, try making individual monkey breads in a greased muffin pan. This is a great option if you are serving it for a party or gathering. If you really want to ramp up the sweetness, drizzle some homemade glaze over the top while it’s still warm, and let it soak into the nooks and crannies of this delicious monkey bread. Check out other monkey bread recipes for inspiration, like upside-down banana monkey bread or s'mores monkey bread.

How can you tell when monkey bread is done cooking?

A golden-brown exterior and the smell of the cinnamon sugar wafting through your kitchen are always good indicators that your monkey bread is probably done. But if you want to be sure every time, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the bread, and if it reads 185°F, the monkey bread is done!

Can you make this monkey bread recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make monkey bread at least a day in advance. Simply reheat it in the oven for a few minutes until warmed through to achieve that freshly baked look every time. The monkey bread can be stored in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. To freeze, wrap or store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Check out our guide to freezing bread for more tips.

—Ellie Crowley, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 133 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.