Breakfast Deserts

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Name: Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ cup unsalted butter; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts; ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries; Extra cream cheese glaze or vanilla icing

August 28, 2025

Servings: 10 Total Time: 45 mins Difficulty: Beginner

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Introduction

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is a gooey, pull-apart treat made with bite-sized pieces of cinnamon roll dough coated in butter, cinnamon, and sugar, then baked to golden perfection. Once out of the oven, it’s often drizzled with cream cheese icing or a sweet glaze.

This recipe is loved for its fun, shareable style—everyone pulls apart little sticky pieces with their fingers. It’s perfect for holiday mornings, family brunches, or dessert when you want something indulgent yet easy to prepare. The warm cinnamon aroma filling the kitchen makes it irresistible!

Why I Love This Recipe ❤️

I absolutely love this recipe because:

It combines the best of cinnamon rolls and sticky buns into one dish.
It’s easy and quick since it uses store-bought cinnamon roll dough (though homemade can also be used).
The texture is soft, fluffy, and gooey with caramelized cinnamon-sugar pockets in every bite.
It’s interactive and fun—everyone pulls apart pieces at the table, making it a cozy and joyful experience.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Perfect for gatherings: Feeds a crowd and looks impressive.
Kid-friendly: Fun to eat and even more fun to help prepare.
Customizable: Add nuts, caramel, chocolate, or fruit for different flavors.
Festive & comforting: The smell of cinnamon makes any day feel special.

Recipe Information

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 40–45 minutes
Servings: 8–10
Calories per Serving: ~320–380 kcal (depending on glaze and mix-ins)
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Brunch

Ingredients

2 cans (16 oz each) refrigerated cinnamon roll dough (with icing packets)
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
½ cup brown sugar (packed)

Optional Add-ins:

½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
Extra cream cheese glaze or vanilla icing

Simple Cooking Directions

Cut cinnamon rolls into quarters.
Coat pieces in cinnamon-sugar.
Layer in a bundt pan with butter-brown sugar mixture.
Bake until golden and gooey.
Drizzle icing and serve warm.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan well with butter or non-stick spray.
Prepare the Dough:
- Open cinnamon roll cans, set aside icing packets.
- Cut each roll into 4 bite-sized pieces.
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll each dough piece in cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.
Layer in the Pan:
- Place half of the coated dough pieces in the pan.
- Sprinkle with half the nuts/raisins if using.
- Add the rest of the dough on top.
Make the Butter Mixture:
- In a saucepan or microwave, melt butter and stir in brown sugar.
- Pour evenly over the dough pieces in the pan.
Bake:
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked in the center.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
Glaze & Serve:
- Drizzle reserved icing packets (or homemade glaze) over warm monkey bread.
- Serve immediately, pull-apart style.

How to Serve

Best served warm and fresh out of the oven.
Place in the center of the table and let everyone pull apart pieces.
Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or tea for a cozy breakfast treat.

Additional Recipe Tips

Don’t overbake, or the bread may dry out—keep it soft and gooey.
Let it rest 5–10 minutes after baking so it holds shape when inverted.
Add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
For a richer treat, drizzle caramel sauce along with the glaze.

Variations

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread: Add diced apples between dough layers.
Nutty Delight: Sprinkle pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Chocolate Monkey Bread: Mix chocolate chips into the dough pieces.
Cream Cheese Filling: Roll dough pieces with a little cream cheese inside.
Savory Version: Use biscuit dough with garlic butter and cheese instead of cinnamon-sugar.

Freezing & Storage

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm in microwave for 20–30 seconds or in oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes.
Freezing (Unbaked): Assemble but do not bake. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding 10–15 extra minutes.
Freezing (Baked): Cool completely, wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Special Equipment Needed

Bundt pan (traditional choice) or tube pan
Mixing bowls
Saucepan or microwave-safe bowl (for butter mixture)

Conclusion

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is a warm, gooey, pull-apart treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. With its caramelized cinnamon-sugar coating and soft, fluffy dough, it’s a recipe that brings comfort and joy to any table. Whether you’re serving it during the holidays, at a family brunch, or just as a weekend indulgence, this dish is guaranteed to make everyone smile.

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