Monkey bread is a sticky, gooey, sweet, cinnamon-y pull-apart breakfast bread that gets its curious name for a couple of reasons. The loaf is crumbled and pulled apart into bite-size pieces that you pull off like a monkey. It’s also sweet enough to tame the wildest monkey’s sweet tooth and popular enough to delight a barrel of them.
What is Monkey Bread?
Monkey bread is a soft, sweet, sticky, gooey caramel-like treat made from balls of leavened sweet dough baked together in a Bundt or tube pan. The balls of dough are coated in butter, cinnamon and sugar that melt together to form a deliciously sweet monkey bread filling with all the ooey-gooey characteristics you love from homemade cinnamon rolls. It’s meant to be pulled apart by hand, with each soft bread ball drenched in delicious glaze and filling. You may have also heard monkey bread called by other names like bubble bread, pinch-me cake, golden crown or Mexican coffee cake.
Monkey Bread History
The earliest mentions of monkey bread come from the United States in the 1950s. Some sources claim monkey bread was created by Howard Griffin, the marketing manager for Pioneer Flour Mills in the 1950s. However, a recipe for monkey bread was published as early as March 1953 in McCall’s magazine called “Monkey Bread – A Coffee Cake Treat.” See the monkey bread timeline below for more details.
Monkey Bread Timeline
| Year | Monkey Bread Event |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Monkey bread recipe published in McCall’s magazine in March 1953 |
| 1950s | Monkey bread said to be created and popularized by Howard Griffin of Pioneer Flour Mills |
| 1960s-1970s | Monkey bread recipes appear in community cookbooks and magazines |
| 1989 | Pillsbury includes monkey bread in Bake-Off contest recipes |
| 2000s | Monkey bread popularity rises with recipes shared online |
While the exact origins are fuzzy, what is clear is that monkey bread quickly became a beloved addition to American baking in the 1950s and 1960s. Recipes for monkey bread and bubble bread show up in community cookbooks and magazines through the 1960s and 1970s. Pillsbury held several Bake-Off contests starting in the 1950s, and monkey bread first showed up in the 1989 Bake-Off recipes. From there, monkey bread continued to grow in popularity, especially as recipes were shared online in the 2000s.
Where Did Monkey Bread Get Its Name?
There are a few theories about how monkey bread got its unusual name:
- It’s meant to be pulled apart like monkeys or apes pick apart food.
- The lumps of dough look like monkey toes.
- The crumbs and sugar coating make it look like something a messy monkey might enjoy.
- Children may pull apart and pick at it the way a monkey would.
Some also say the idea of passing the bread around and pulling off pieces to eat is reminiscent of monkeys socializing. The sticky, sweet bread is perfect for eating by hand and appeals especially to kids. So the image of monkey’s scampering and grabbing treats makes sense as the inspiration for the name. However, the true origin remains a mystery!
Monkey Bread vs. Bubble Bread
What’s the difference between monkey bread and bubble bread? While they are very similar and names are often used interchangeably, there are some differences:
Monkey Bread
- Uses balls of biscuit or bread dough
- Coated in cinnamon sugar before baking
- Richer bread dough like refrigerated biscuits or bread dough
- Sometimes uses caramel or glaze as topping
Bubble Bread
- Uses balls of plain white dough or dough with herbs/spices added
- Often topped with melted butter and spices
- Uses simpler flour and water dough
- Rarely uses caramel or glaze topping
So monkey bread uses richer dough with cinnamon and sugar, while bubble bread is plainer with herbs and butter. But in general, the two terms are used fairly interchangeably in recipes today.
Unique Monkey Bread Ideas
While traditional monkey bread uses refrigerated biscuit dough or bread dough, some fun new twists include:
- Cake mix monkey bread – Use balls of cake mix dough in flavors like yellow, chocolate or spice cake
- Waffle monkey bread – Make balls out of waffle mix or leftover waffles
- Ooey gooey monkey bread – Add an extra sticky caramel sauce or make balls with cookie dough
- Loaded monkey bread – Mix in nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or other mix-ins
The basic concept of tear-apart bread balls baked in a sweet coating allows for endless flavor possibilities. You can adjust the filling, topping and even shape to create monkey bread masterpieces.
How To Make Monkey Bread
Making monkey bread from scratch is easier than you think. Here’s a basic overview of how to make it at home:
- Make dough balls – Use refrigerated biscuit dough, bread dough, or make easy homemade dough. Cut into small 1-2 inch pieces.
- Coat in cinnamon sugar – Roll dough balls in melted butter then cinnamon sugar mixture. Refrigerate 30 mins.
- Layer in pan – Grease bundt or tube pan. Layer sugared balls of dough inside, stacking randomly.
- Let rise – Cover and let dough rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour.
- Bake at 350°F about 30 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Invert onto plate – Let cool 5 minutes then gently invert onto serving plate.
- Drizzle with glaze – Mix powdered sugar and milk for glaze, drizzling over the top while still warm.
The layered, pull-apart texture happens naturally as the dough balls bake together into a sweet molten lava cake-like masterpiece. Enjoy it warm right away for the ultimate ooey-gooey experience.
Tips for Making Monkey Bread
Follow these pro tips for perfect monkey bread every time:
- Make sure dough balls are no larger than 1-2 inches. This allows them to cook through and pull apart easily.
- Chill dough balls before baking so the coating stays on.
- Grease the pan well so it doesn’t stick.
- Rotate pan halfway through baking for even cooking.
- Invert hot so the crumbly topping doesn’t stick to the pan.
- Add glaze while still warm so it soaks in.
Can You Make Monkey Bread Ahead of Time?
Yes, to save time in the morning, you can prep monkey bread the night before:
- Prepare dough balls and coat in cinnamon sugar up to a day ahead.
- Store coated dough balls in the fridge in a covered bowl.
- The next morning, let dough come to room temp while you grease the pan.
- Assemble bread in pan and let rise 1 hour before baking.
You can also bake the monkey bread entirely ahead. Once cool, cover tightly and refrigerate up to 5 days. Reheat uncovered at 350°F until warmed through, 10-15 minutes.
Storing and Freezing Monkey Bread
Since monkey bread is best fresh, aim to enjoy it within 1-2 days. To store, let cool completely then cover tightly at room temperature up to 2 days. You can also individually wrap slices in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months. Reheat frozen monkey bread in the microwave until warmed through.
Serving Monkey Bread
Here are some ways to serve your monkey bread masterpiece:
- Enjoy monkey bread for breakfast or brunch either on its own or with coffee, tea, or juice
- Top with a pad of butter right after baking while still warm
- Drizzle with warm caramel or cream cheese glaze
- Pair with fruit like bananas or strawberries
- Serve as a snack or dessert warm from the oven or at room temperature
- Bring to potlucks, parties, and other gatherings for a crowd-pleasing treat
However you choose to enjoy it, monkey bread is sure to be a sticky, gooey hit with family and friends!
Conclusion
With its sweet flavor, soft texture and fun tear-apart serving style, monkey bread is a delightful treat any time of day. While the exact origin is unclear, monkey bread likely gained popularity in the 1950s United States before becoming a beloved American classic. It’s perfect for breakfasts, potlucks or just a sweet snack. While traditional versions use biscuit dough, you can get creative with the dough and toppings. Follow a few simple tips for monkey bread success. And enjoy this sticky-sweet pull-apart bread – no monkeys required!