The Best Monkey Bread Recipe

The Best Monkey Bread Recipe

There’s something magical about monkey bread. It’s the perfect blend of gooey caramel sweetness, soft dough, and a touch of cinnamon spice that makes every bite absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re enjoying it for breakfast, as a snack, or even a midnight treat (no judgment here!), monkey bread has a way of bringing smiles and sticky fingers to the table. And guess what? It’s not nearly as intimidating to make as you might think!

In this post, I’ll walk you through the best monkey bread recipe ever. It’s simple, fun, and perfect for sharing with your loved ones. Plus, I’ve included tips, tricks, and answers to common questions so you can confidently bake your own masterpiece.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfectly Gooey: Each piece is coated in a luscious caramel sauce that’s sweet and glossy.
  • Fun to Eat: Kids (and adults) love pulling apart the soft dough balls.
  • Versatile: Great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or anytime you want a sweet treat.
  • Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your pantry or fridge.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough:

  • 4 oz whole milk
  • 2 tbsp + 2 tsp unsalted butter
  • 1 ¼ tsp yeast
  • 1 room temperature egg
  • 2 ¼ cups flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup sugar

For the Spice Mixture:

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 ½ tbsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves

For the Caramel Sauce:

  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt

How to Make Monkey Bread

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. Heat whole milk and butter to 110°F. Be careful not to overheat, as it can kill the yeast.
  2. Sprinkle the yeast into the warm milk and set it aside to activate.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then combine it with flour, sugar, salt, and the milk-butter-yeast mixture.
  4. Mix until the dough is soft and smooth, clinging only to itself. Add a little extra flour if it’s too sticky but don’t overdo it.
  5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise until it doubles in size (about 1-2 hours).

Step 2: Make the Caramel Sauce

  1. Combine butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt in a pot.
  2. Heat gently, stirring until everything melts together into a smooth caramel sauce.

Step 3: Mix the Spice Coating

  1. In a bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, and cloves for the spice mixture.

Step 4: Assemble the Monkey Bread

  1. Lightly flour a surface and pinch off small pieces of dough.
  2. Roll each piece into a ball, then dip it in melted butter and toss it in the spice mixture.
  3. Layer the dough balls in a greased bundt pan, alternating with drizzles of caramel sauce.
  4. Continue layering until the pan is filled.

Step 5: Bake

  1. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30-60 minutes.
  2. Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake for 14-17 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
  3. Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then carefully invert the monkey bread onto a serving plate.

STICKY CINNAMON PULL-APART BREAD

Homemade Caramel Monkey Bread

Soft homemade yeast dough rolled in cinnamon and cloves, layered with a rich buttery caramel sauce, and baked until golden, sticky and irresistible.

Prep Time 30 mins
Rise Time 1½–3 hrs
Bake Time 14–17 mins
Servings 8–10

For the Dough

  • 4 oz (½ cup / 120ml) whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
  • 1¼ teaspoons yeast
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Spice Mixture

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter, for coating the dough balls

For the Caramel Sauce

  • 1 stick (½ cup / 113g) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Warm the Milk and Butter. Add the whole milk and butter to a small saucepan or microwave-safe jug. Gently heat until the butter has melted and the mixture reaches approximately 110°F (43°C).

    The mixture should feel warm rather than hot. Excessive heat can damage the yeast.
  2. Activate the Yeast. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk mixture and leave it for several minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
  3. Make the Dough. In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the egg.

    Add the flour, sugar, salt and milk-butter-yeast mixture. Mix until everything comes together into a soft dough.
  4. Knead Until Smooth. Knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth and mostly pulls away from your hands or the sides of the bowl.

    If the dough is extremely sticky, add a small amount of additional flour at a time. Avoid adding too much or the finished monkey bread may become dry.
  5. First Rise. Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside.

    Cover and leave in a warm place for approximately 1 to 2 hours, or until roughly doubled in size.
  6. Make the Caramel Sauce. Add the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream and pinch of salt to a saucepan.

    Heat gently while stirring until the butter and sugar have melted together and the mixture forms a smooth caramel sauce. Remove from the heat.
  7. Prepare the Spice Mixture. In a shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon and ground cloves.

    Place the melted butter for coating in a separate small bowl.
  8. Prepare the Bundt Pan. Generously grease a Bundt pan, paying particular attention to the grooves and centre tube.
  9. Shape the Dough. Lightly flour your work surface. Pinch off small pieces of risen dough and gently roll each piece into a ball.
  10. Coat the Dough Balls. Dip each dough ball into the melted butter, then roll it through the cinnamon-sugar mixture until generously coated.
  11. Assemble the Monkey Bread. Arrange a layer of coated dough balls in the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan.

    Drizzle over some of the caramel sauce, then continue layering dough balls and caramel until everything has been used.
  12. Final Rise. Loosely cover the Bundt pan and leave the assembled monkey bread to rise for another 30 to 60 minutes.
  13. Preheat the Oven. Toward the end of the second rise, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  14. Bake. Bake for approximately 14 to 17 minutes, or until the exposed dough is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling.

    Because ovens and Bundt pans vary, make sure the dough in the centre is fully baked before removing it from the oven.
  15. Cool Briefly. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the monkey bread to rest for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
  16. Turn Out and Serve. Place a large serving plate over the Bundt pan. Carefully invert the pan so the monkey bread releases onto the plate.

    Serve warm while the caramel is still soft and gooey.
Yeast Tip: Aim for milk around 110°F (43°C). Milk that is too cold will slow the yeast, while excessively hot liquid can damage it.
Caramel Tip: Do not leave the monkey bread in the Bundt pan for too long after baking. As the caramel cools and hardens, the bread can become more difficult to release cleanly.
Make It Your Own: Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers, or add a handful of raisins for a more traditional sticky-bun flavour.
Storage: Keep cooled leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat individual portions briefly before serving to soften the bread and caramel again.

Tips for Monkey Bread Success

  • Warm Ingredients: Using room temperature egg and warm milk helps the dough rise better.
  • Don’t Over-Flour: Keep the dough soft and slightly tacky for the best texture.
  • Bundt Pan Love: Grease your bundt pan generously to prevent sticking.
  • Caramel Layering: Drizzle caramel sauce between layers for gooey perfection.
  • Serve Fresh: Monkey bread is best enjoyed warm from the oven when it’s extra gooey and soft.

Common Questions About Monkey Bread

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the monkey bread the night before and refrigerate it. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.

What if I don’t have a bundt pan?

No bundt pan? No problem! You can use a loaf pan or a round cake pan instead. Just ensure it’s well-greased.

Can I use premade dough?

Absolutely! While homemade dough is the star of this recipe, store-bought biscuit or pizza dough works in a pinch.

How do I store leftovers?

If you miraculously have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds to make it gooey again.

Final Thoughts

Monkey bread isn’t just a recipe—it’s an experience. From the fun of rolling dough balls to the ooey-gooey joy of pulling apart each sweet piece, it’s a treat that brings people together. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bake a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds (and thirds!).

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