Upside-Down Banana Monkey Bread

Total Time

Prep: 45 min. + rising Bake: 25 min.

Makes

24 servings

Updated: Apr. 12, 2022
Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, divided
  • 1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 5-1/4 to 5-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons banana extract, optional
  • GLAZE:
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
  • 6 tablespoons butter, cubed
  • COATING:
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1-1/4 cups sugar
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 large banana, sliced

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in warm milk. In a large bowl, combine bananas, egg, butter, yeast mixture, salt, cinnamon, 1-1/2 cups flour and remaining brown sugar; if desired, add extract. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in 3-3/4 cups additional flour, adding remaining 1/2 cup if needed to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
  2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine glaze ingredients; bring just to a boil, stirring constantly. Reserve 1/4 cup for topping. Pour remaining glaze into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan; sprinkle with pecans.
  4. Pour melted butter into a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide and shape into 48 balls.
  5. Dip dough balls in butter, roll in sugar mixture and place in prepared pan. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°.
  6. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Top with sliced banana; drizzle with reserved glaze. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

2 pieces : 296 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.