Monkey bread is a sweet, sticky, gooey, ooey dessert made from pieces of dough coated in butter, cinnamon and sugar. The dough balls are stacked together in a pan, proofed, and then baked into a pull-apart bread that is meant to be eaten by hand. Monkey bread gets its name from how it looks when pulled apart – the sticky pieces of dough resemble the mangled mess a barrel of monkeys would make!
What are the origins of monkey bread?
The exact origins of monkey bread are unclear, but it seems to have originated in the United States in the early 1900s. Some sources attribute its creation to Pennsylvania Dutch settlers who brought dough recipes with them when they immigrated to America. The earliest documented recipes for monkey bread come from Women’s Day magazine in 1964 and Gourmet magazine in 1969.
The theory is that early recipes for “bubbleloaf cakes” or “pinwheel biscuits” evolved into monkey bread over time. These recipes called for pieces of biscuit dough or bread dough to be layered with butter, cinnamon, and sugar into a loaf pan or tube pan before baking. This results in a pull-apart bread, though the early names of these recipes don’t include the word “monkey”.
The exact origin of the name “monkey bread” is also debated. Some sources attribute it to the messy, haphazard way the pieces of dough look when pulled apart. Others say pioneer women thought it resembled the barrel of monkeys toy when served. The earliest print references to “monkey bread” date to the 1970s, indicating this is likely when the name became popularized.
Early monkey bread recipes
As monkey bread grew in popularity through the 1970s and 80s, recipes were shared in newspapers, magazines, and community cookbooks. Key characteristics of early monkey bread recipes include:
- Using refrigerator biscuit or bread dough
- Coating pieces of dough in butter/sugar/cinnamon
- Layering the dough in a Bundt or tube pan
- Letting the dough rise before baking
- Inverting and pulling apart to serve
This yields a sticky, sweet bread that can be pulled apart by hand. The casual, hands-on eating style contributes to the “monkey” connotation.
How do you make monkey bread?
Making classic monkey bread is relatively simple, though it does take some time for preparing the dough pieces and letting them rise.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated biscuit dough or bread dough
- Melted butter
- Granulated white sugar
- Cinnamon
- Optional: brown sugar, pecans, chocolate chips, etc.
Steps
- Grease a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut refrigerated dough into 1-inch pieces and roll into balls.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar.
- Dip dough balls in butter mixture until coated.
- Layer coated dough balls in prepared pan.
- Let dough rise for 30-60 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Let cool 5 minutes, then invert onto a plate or platter.
- Pull apart pieces to serve.
The layered, buttery, cinnamon-sugar coated dough creates a gooey center when baked. As you break the monkey bread apart, strings of delicious, sweet bread are revealed.
Tips
- Using refrigerated dough makes preparation easy.
- Allowing the dough to proof prior to baking helps ensure it bakes up light and fluffy.
- Grease the pan well so it’s easy to remove and invert.
- Resist over-baking, as you want the center to remain soft and sticky.
- Serve warm so the bread is at peak deliciousness.
What are some monkey bread variations?
The basic concept of layered dough balls coated in sugar and spices lends itself well to creativity. Here are some common monkey bread variations:
Fun add-ins
- Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc.
- Chocolate: Chocolate chips or chunks.
- Fruit: Dried cranberries, raisins, diced apples.
- Caramel: Adding caramel sauce or bits of caramel to the coating.
- Spices: Nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie spice, orange zest.
Different doughs
- Sweet dough: Using refrigerated cinnamon roll dough.
- Savory bread dough: Herb and garlic bread dough variations.
- Homemade dough: Easy homemade yeast dough recipes.
Unique shapes
- Muffin tin: Filling buttered muffin cups with dough pieces.
- Pullman pan: Using a long loaf pan for a sliceable shape.
- Mini loaves: Individual bundt pans or ramekins for single-serving monkey breads.
The options are endless! Feel free to get creative with the dough flavor and shape.
What is the best way to eat monkey bread?
Part of the appeal of monkey bread is the fun, hands-on eating method. The bread pulls apart into bite-size pieces perfect for dipping and dunking in whatever you desire!
Popular ways to enjoy monkey bread include:
- Pulling apart the bread: Tear off pieces to pop directly in your mouth.
- Spreading on a plate: Release the bread onto a plate to access the entire gooey creation.
- Dunking in coffee or milk: The bite-size pieces are perfect for dunking in your morning brew.
- Adding butter: Spread melted butter over warm monkey bread for extra indulgence.
- Drizzling with glaze: Maple glaze, vanilla glaze, or cream cheese glaze take it up a notch.
- Pairing with fruit: The sweetness pairs well with fresh fruit like bananas or strawberries.
However you choose to indulge, monkey bread is best served warm right out of the oven when it’s perfectly soft and sticky.
Why is monkey bread so sticky?
The signature sticky texture of monkey bread comes from:
- The dough pieces are coated in butter before baking. The butter melts during baking, seeping into the nooks and crannies of the dough.
- The outer dough pieces that touch the pan caramelize and become crispy in spots. This adds nice texture contrast.
- Sugar is often added to the coating, which dissolves into a glaze as it bakes.
- Allowing the dough to rise means more air pockets, which soak up the buttery glaze.
- Underbaking slightly leaves the center extra soft and gooey.
These factors all contribute to the sweet, messy, sticky texture that monkey bread is loved for. The contrast of crispy outer edges with an ooey-gooey center is what makes it so addictive to pull apart and eat.
What kitchen tools do you need to make monkey bread?
| Kitchen Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Bundt or tube pan | Necessary for the monkey bread shape. |
| Parchment paper | Lines pan for easy removal. |
| Mixing bowl | To coat dough balls in butter mixture. |
| Kitchen shears | For cutting refrigerated dough. |
| Cooling rack | For inverting bread once baked. |
In addition to these monkey bread specific tools, you’ll need basic kitchen items like a baking sheet, oven, measuring cups and spoons, spatula, etc.
What are some tips for perfect monkey bread?
Here are some top tips for flawless monkey bread every time:
Choose high-quality dough
The dough is the foundation, so use refrigerated biscuit or bread dough that’s soft and fresh. Homemade dough works too.
Let the dough proof before baking
Allowing the layered dough to rise develops air pockets that bake up light and tender. Don’t rush this step.
Grease the pan thoroughly
Monkey bread needs to be inverted from the pan, so grease it very well with butter or nonstick spray.
Resist over-baking
Err on the side of underdone. You want the center to remain ultra soft and gooey.
Rest before serving
Let the baked bread sit 5 minutes before inverting. This helps set the sticky sugars for clean removal.
Pull apart and serve warm
Enjoy the bread immediately while warm. The texture and flavor is best straight from the oven.
What are the best monkey bread recipes?
Here are 3 highly-rated monkey bread recipes to try:
Classic Monkey Bread
The original! This easy recipe uses biscuit dough, brown sugar, and cinnamon for a crowd-pleasing classic.
Caramel Apple Monkey Bread
Apples and caramel take this up a notch. The chunks of apple bake up tender and pair perfectly with the homemade caramel sauce.
Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread
Pumpkin spice flavor gives this monkey bread a seasonal fall twist. Pecans add nice crunch.
You can find full recipes for each on popular cooking sites and blogs. Start with the classic version, then get creative with fun add-ins!
Can you freeze monkey bread?
Yes, monkey bread freezes very well! Here are some tips for freezing:
- Allow the baked monkey bread to cool completely before freezing.
- Place in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Remove as much air from the container as possible.
- Label with the contents and date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- Refresh in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes before serving.
The freezer locks in the freshness and flavor. Thawed monkey bread will taste like it was just baked! It’s a great make-ahead breakfast or dessert.
Is monkey bread healthy?
Monkey bread does have some healthy aspects, but is considered an indulgent treat best enjoyed in moderation. Here is a nutrition breakdown:
Pros
- Provides carbohydrates for energy
- Contains protein from the dough
- Good source of B vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, and folate
- Minerals like iron, calcium, and selenium
Cons
- High in calories, fat, and sugar
- Low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Contains refined flour
- Often uses processed dough
Overall, monkey bread is best enjoyed in small portions as an occasional treat. Balance it out by enjoying it with fresh fruit, veggies, or protein.
Conclusion
Monkey bread is a fun, sticky-sweet treat with an amusing backstory. The unique pull-apart texture makes it a delightful hands-on eating experience. While not the healthiest breakfast option, it’s hard to resist a gooey slice still warm from the oven. With endless ways to get creative with flavors and shapes, there’s a monkey bread recipe for every occasion. Just be ready for sticky fingers!