Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread (Print version)
Gooey pull-apart cinnamon dough coated in cinnamon sugar, baked in a bundt and finished with vanilla icing.
# What goes in:
→ Bread Dough
01 - 2 cans refrigerated biscuit or cinnamon roll dough (about 28 oz total)
→ Cinnamon Sugar
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
→ Butter Mixture
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Icing
07 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
08 - 2 tablespoons milk
09 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Cooking steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and thoroughly grease a bundt pan with unsalted butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Open the biscuit or cinnamon roll dough. If using biscuits, quarter each piece; if using cinnamon rolls, unroll and cut into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Toss each dough piece in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange the coated dough segments evenly in the prepared bundt pan, layering them for optimal texture.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Drizzle evenly over the dough layers in the pan.
06 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden and the dough is cooked through.
07 - Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert monkey bread onto a serving plate.
08 - While bread cools slightly, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle icing generously over warm bread.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- This is basically a shortcut to homemade cinnamon rolls, but you don’t have to wake up at dawn.
- The pull-apart pieces mean everyone gets their fair share (and then some) without any slicing drama at the table.
02 -
- If you don’t grease the pan generously, you’ll be prying out stuck pieces—learned that with my first attempt.
- Cutting the dough small enough is key for even baking—oversized chunks remain doughy in the center.
03 -
- If you want perfectly gooey monkey bread, pour only two-thirds of the butter mixture first—reserve the rest and drizzle again halfway through baking.
- Lining the serving plate with parchment makes clean-up a breeze, especially if there are eager, icing-loving helpers nearby.