If you are looking for a fun, indulgent, and utterly delicious treat to share with friends or family, you’ve got to try this Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe. This recipe offers the perfect combination of gooey cinnamon-sugar-coated dough balls baked to golden perfection and drizzled with luscious icing. It’s a delightful pull-apart bread that feels homemade but comes together with surprising ease. Every bite bursts with warm spices and buttery richness that will have you sneaking second (and third) pieces without shame. Trust me, once you make this, it will quickly become a weekend favorite or holiday showstopper.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step toward that perfect cinnamon pull-apart magic. These simple staples each bring something essential to the table—from the sweet cinnamon punch in the sugar mix to the melt-in-your-mouth butter glaze that coats every morsel.
- 2 x 17.5 oz cans of Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls: These ready-made cinnamon rolls give the recipe quick convenience and amazing flavor without fuss from scratch.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Provides the necessary sweetness and texture for the cinnamon coating.
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon: The star spice that gives the bread its signature warm, aromatic flavor.
- Reserved icing from the cinnamon rolls: Adds a creamy, sugary drizzle to finish the bread beautifully.
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter: The richness that helps create a sticky, golden caramel glaze.
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed): Gives a deep molasses sweetness and moisture to the glaze.
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Cinnamon Sugar
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and generously grease a 12-cup bundt pan with cooking spray. This ensures your sticky, caramelized bread will release perfectly after baking. Next, mix the granulated sugar with the ground cinnamon in a bowl or zip-top bag—this simple combo will coat each piece with that heavenly sweet-spice flavor we all adore.
Step 2: Cut and Coat the Cinnamon Rolls
Open your cinnamon roll cans and place them on a cutting board. Carefully cut each roll into quarters to make bite-sized pieces. Then, toss these pieces in the cinnamon sugar until they’re fully coated. This step is vital because every little piece needs to be covered generously to create that iconic monkey bread texture and taste.
Step 3: Arrange the Dough in the Bundt Pan
Place the coated cinnamon roll pieces evenly at the bottom of your prepared bundt pan. Don’t worry about perfect placement—these pieces will puff and meld together delightfully during baking. Sprinkle any leftover cinnamon sugar evenly over the top and give the pan a gentle shake to help the sugar spread around all the dough.
Step 4: Make the Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze
In a small saucepan, melt the butter along with the brown sugar and kosher salt over medium heat. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 30 seconds until the sugar fully dissolves. This glaze is what makes the monkey bread sticky, shiny, and irresistible, so take your time getting it perfectly smooth and caramel-like.
Step 5: Pour the Glaze and Bake
Slowly pour the warm butter and sugar glaze over the cinnamon roll pieces in the pan. Swirl the bundt pan gently to help the glaze coat every nook and cranny, ensuring each bite is drenched in buttery sweetness. Transfer the pan to your oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the center appears puffed up and no longer doughy—use a toothpick or instant-read thermometer (190°F center temperature) if you want to be sure.
Step 6: Cool and Unmold
Once baked, let your monkey bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes before flipping it onto a plate or serving dish. Doing this while it’s still warm makes for the easiest release, so don’t wait too long! Then, allow it to cool a little more to set up before adding your final touch—the reserved cinnamon roll icing.
Step 7: Drizzle the Icing
Gently warm or stir your reserved icing to loosen it up for easy drizzling. You can use a spoon, a piping bag, or even a squeeze bottle to generously drizzle the icing over the warm pull-apart bread. This sweet topping ties everything together perfectly and makes it look as good as it tastes.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top for crunch, or add a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving. Fresh berries or a few mint leaves can make your presentation pop visually and add a refreshing contrast to the sweetness.
Side Dishes
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, a rich chai latte, or even a steaming mug of hot cocoa. If you are brunching with friends, a side of scrambled eggs or fresh fruit balances the indulgence perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your monkey bread on a rustic wooden board for a cozy vibe or use a colorful ceramic plate to brighten your table. You can even portion the bread into individual ramekins for cute, personalized servings to wow guests and forkless fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe well-covered at room temperature for up to two days. This helps preserve its softness and prevents the sugary glaze from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap the cooled monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It will keep well for up to two months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Warm your leftover monkey bread in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the glaze is soft again. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess and enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven texture!
FAQs
Can I make this recipe with homemade cinnamon rolls?
Absolutely! While using store-bought cinnamon rolls speeds up the process, homemade cinnamon rolls with your favorite dough recipe work just as well and add a nice personal touch.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, just swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based alternative and confirm the cinnamon rolls you use do not contain dairy. The glaze will still turn out beautifully sticky and flavorful.
How do I store leftover monkey bread to keep it fresh?
Store it covered at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to maintain softness for up to two days.
Can I make mini versions of this Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe?
Definitely! Use mini cinnamon rolls and a smaller bundt or muffin pan for individual bite-sized mini monkey breads—perfect for parties or easy snacking.
What if my monkey bread sticks to the pan?
Make sure to very generously grease your bundt pan before assembling. If it still sticks, gently run a butter knife around the edges before flipping, and invert the pan onto a warm plate to ease it out.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe truly brings a warm hug of sweetness and spice to your kitchen. It’s easy enough for a cozy weekend morning yet impressive for any gathering, promising smiles with every sticky, tender pull. I can’t wait for you to make it, savor it, and share it with the special people in your life. Trust me, once you try this, you might just find yourself dreaming up excuses to bake monkey bread all year round.
Print
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
Delightfully gooey and irresistibly sweet, this Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread combines soft Pillsbury cinnamon rolls coated in cinnamon sugar and bathed in a buttery brown sugar glaze. Baked to golden perfection in a bundt pan and topped with the classic cinnamon roll icing, it’s the perfect pull-apart treat for brunch, dessert, or anytime indulgence.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Roll Dough
- 2 x 17.5 oz cans of Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Butter Glaze
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
Icing
- Reserved icing from the cinnamon rolls
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 12-cup bundt pan thoroughly with cooking spray to ensure the monkey bread releases easily.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a bowl or a zip-top bag, combine granulated sugar with ground cinnamon. This mixture will coat the dough for that classic spiced sweetness.
- Cut and Coat Dough: Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters. Gently toss the pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they are fully coated.
- Arrange in Pan: Evenly arrange the coated cinnamon roll pieces into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan. Sprinkle any leftover cinnamon sugar on top, and gently shake the pan to distribute the coating evenly.
- Make Butter Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter along with the packed brown sugar and coarse Kosher salt. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 30 seconds until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Pour Glaze Over Dough: Pour the warm butter and sugar glaze evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the bundt pan. Swirl the pan gently to ensure the glaze thoroughly coats all the dough pieces, seeping into the nooks and crannies.
- Bake: Place the bundt pan in the oven and bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes. Check doneness by pulling a piece from the center—it should come away clean and no longer doughy. An instant-read thermometer should read 190°F in the center. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Invert the Monkey Bread: Carefully place a serving plate over the bundt pan. While still warm, invert the pan so the monkey bread releases easily onto the plate. Let it cool for an additional 10 minutes before icing.
- Ice and Serve: Drizzle leftover cinnamon roll icing over the warm monkey bread. Stir or warm the icing slightly to make it easier to drizzle. Serve warm with extra icing on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh cinnamon rolls for best texture and flavor.
- Coating cinnamon roll pieces evenly in cinnamon sugar ensures every bite is flavorful.
- The glaze should be warm when poured so it flows well over the dough.
- Don’t overbake to preserve softness and gooey texture.
- If the monkey bread sticks, re-grease the bundt pan well next time or dust with flour.
- Leftover monkey bread can be warmed up in the microwave for a quick treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
