This Easter Brunch Monkey Bread is a sweet and pull-apart treat that everyone will love! It’s made with soft dough, cinnamon, and sugar, all baked together to create fluffy bites of goodness.
Error message: I always end up stealing a few pieces before serving! It’s so tasty that I can’t resist—just like you won’t be able to once you try it! 🐰🍞
I love making this monkey bread because it’s so easy to put together, and everyone can grab a piece. It’s great for sharing and perfect for the Easter table, making brunch extra special!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit dough: The recipe uses refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough, which is super convenient! If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can use whole wheat biscuit dough. Alternatively, homemade biscuit dough would work great, just make sure it’s soft and easy to tear.
Sugar: This recipe calls for granulated sugar and brown sugar. Brown sugar adds moisture and a rich caramel flavor. If you’re short on brown sugar, you can mix granulated sugar with a bit of molasses to achieve a similar taste.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is essential for that warm, comforting flavor. You can also try a mix of nutmeg and allspice if you want to get a bit adventurous. Just use a little less than the cinnamon quantity!
Butter: Unsalted butter is best here as it lets you control the saltiness. If you’re aiming to cut back on calories, you can swap it with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
What’s the Best Way to Prepare the Biscuit Dough?
Preparing the biscuit dough correctly sets the stage for your monkey bread’s texture. Cutting the dough evenly is key for even baking. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the can and carefully separate each biscuit.
- Cut each biscuit into quarters. A pizza cutter works well for this!
- Make sure to coat the pieces evenly in the cinnamon-sugar mix so every bite is packed with flavor.
Layer the pieces in the bundt pan without overcrowding to allow for proper rising, which creates those irresistible pull-apart sections. Enjoy the process—this is a fun family activity!
How to Make Easter Brunch Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Monkey Bread:
- 3 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough (e.g., buttermilk biscuits)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
For Decoration (Optional):
- Colored Easter candy eggs
How Much Time Will You Need?
This wonderful Easter Brunch Monkey Bread will take about 20 minutes to prepare and 35-40 minutes to bake. Plus, allow for about 10 minutes of cooling time before serving. In total, you will be looking at approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a brunch treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, grease a bundt pan or tube pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray to ensure your monkey bread releases easily once baked.
2. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar:
In a large zip-top bag, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together. Open the refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. This is the fun part!
3. Coat the Biscuit Pieces:
Take a handful of biscuit pieces, toss them into the cinnamon sugar bag, seal it up tight, and shake well until all pieces are coated evenly. Repeat this until all the biscuit pieces are coated.
4. Layer in the Bundt Pan:
Arrange the coated biscuit pieces in the greased bundt pan, layering them nicely for an even bake. You can just drop them in without worrying about the order; they will bake together beautifully!
5. Make the Butter and Brown Sugar Mixture:
In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the packed brown sugar and stir together until it becomes bubbly and smooth, which should take about 2-3 minutes. After that, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Pour the Mixture Over the Biscuits:
Evenly pour the hot butter and brown sugar mixture over the layered biscuit pieces in the bundt pan. That sweet buttery goodness will soak into the dough as it bakes!
7. Bake the Monkey Bread:
Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell heavenly by now!
8. Cool and Invert:
Once done, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate to release the monkey bread. It should come out easily, revealing the deliciously gooey goodness!
9. Whisk the Glaze:
In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and milk (or cream). Whisk until smooth to create a simple glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the warm monkey bread for that perfect finishing touch.
10. Add Some Festive Fun:
If you like, decorate the serving plate around the monkey bread with colorful Easter candy eggs for a festive presentation. It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday!
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve your warm monkey bread right away! Just pull apart sections and enjoy this sweet, cinnamon-rich treat with family and friends. Happy Easter!
Can I Use Homemade Biscuit Dough Instead Of Refrigerated Dough?
Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works great if you prefer a fresher taste. Just make sure it’s soft and pliable for easy tearing and coating with the cinnamon sugar.
What Should I Do If My Monkey Bread Is Not Golden Brown?
If it’s not golden brown after 35-40 minutes, continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on it, and check with a toothpick to ensure it’s fully cooked through before removing it from the oven.
How Can I Store Leftover Monkey Bread?
Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To refresh it, you can warm individual pieces in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.
Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free?
Yes, you can easily make this recipe dairy-free! Substitute the unsalted butter with a dairy-free butter alternative and use almond or oat milk in the glaze instead of regular milk or cream.