Gorilla Bread

Flavorful pull-apart breads are always a hit at brunches and holiday gatherings—especially when they’re warm from the oven. Monkey bread is one of the most popular variations, made from flaky dough balls rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with a buttery brown sugar sauce. It’s a craveable, shareable dish perfect for morning get-togethers, especially when paired with coffee or tea.

We didn’t think that monkey bread could get any better—that is, until we discovered gorilla bread. Gorilla bread takes monkey bread to a whole new level by stuffing each dough ball with rich and tangy cream cheese. Just like monkey bread, a topping of buttery brown sugar sauce and crunchy walnuts ensures each bite of gorilla bread is packed with flavor and texture.

Gorilla Bread Ingredients

• Brown sugar butter sauce: Brown sugar is stirred into melted butter to create a caramel sauce that glues the biscuits together. It adds flavor and gooey texture to the top of each piece of gorilla bread.
• Refrigerated flaky buttermilk biscuits: Instead of making biscuit dough from scratch, two tubes of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits make this gorilla bread a breeze to assemble.
• Cinnamon sugar: Ground cinnamon is mixed with granulated sugar to make a cinnamon sugar mixture that is sprinkled into and on top of each biscuit ball. You can use any type of cinnamon for this recipe; Ceylon cinnamon has the mildest flavor, while Saigon cinnamon has a bold flavor.
• Cream cheese: Stuffing each biscuit with a cube of cream cheese is what makes this big, bold gorilla bread and not just plain monkey bread.
• Chopped walnuts: Chopped walnuts add crunch. You could also substitute chopped pecans.

Directions

Step 1: Make the brown sugar butter sauce

In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the brown sugar and butter on high for one minute or until the sugar is dissolved. Set it aside.

Step 2: Prep the biscuits

Flatten each biscuit into a three-inch circle.

Combine the sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon into the center of each biscuit. Top each flattened biscuit with a cube of cream cheese. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal tightly.

Step 3: Layer the biscuits

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of walnuts into a greased 10-inch fluted tube pan.

Layer half the biscuits, half the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture, half the brown sugar butter sauce and the remaining walnuts in the pan. Repeat the layers

Step 4: Bake the gorilla bread

Bake the gorilla bread at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes or until it’s golden brown. Immediately invert it onto a serving platter. Serve the gorilla bread warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

Gorilla Bread Variations

There are so many sweet and savory monkey bread variations. Here are a few tasty twists to try:

• Channel cheesecake: For a cheesecake-like flavor, mix 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the cream cheese, or use a flavored sweet cream cheese such as strawberry, blueberry or brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Pump up the jam: Halve the amount of cream cheese and add 1 teaspoon of your favorite jam to each biscuit for a fun, brunch-worthy take on a Danish.
• Go bananas: Tuck slices of fresh banana between the biscuits to make the gorilla version of banana monkey bread.
• Use savory flavors: You can easily switch up the flavor profile of this gorilla bread and make a savory version. Use a savory cream cheese spread like garden vegetable or chive and onion. Top each biscuit with a sprinkle of dried herbs, such as parsley, basil, oregano or thyme. Saute minced garlic in melted butter until it’s fragrant, then drizzle the butter over the biscuit layers along with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese.

How to Store Gorilla Bread

Gorilla bread tastes best when served slightly warm from the oven. Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator.

How long does gorilla bread last?

Gorilla bread lasts up to five days when stored in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze gorilla bread?

You can definitely freeze gorilla bread. Wrap the bread in a layer of storage wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or store it in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container. Thaw gorilla bread overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it.

Gorilla Bread Tips

Can you make gorilla bread in another type of pan?

While a fluted tube pan or Bundt pan makes it easy to layer the biscuit balls, you can also use a 13×9-inch baking dish or quarter sheet pan in a pinch. Layer the ingredients as directed, then bake the gorilla bread at 350º for 20 to 30 minutes. Invert it onto a serving platter.

What else can you serve with gorilla bread?

Gorilla bread is a sweet addition to a spread of your favorite brunch recipes. Pair it with savory breakfast dishes such as hash brown breakfast casserole, breakfast enchiladas or mushroom asparagus quiche. Don’t forget the mimosas!