Monkey bread, also known as pull-apart bread, is a delightful dessert or breakfast treat that’s perfect for sharing. It consists of a buttery dough coated in cinnamon sugar and baked into a sweet and sticky loaf.
The Appeal of Monkey Bread
- Easy to make: Monkey bread is a relatively simple recipe that doesn’t require advanced baking skills.
- Visually appealing: The unique appearance of monkey bread, with its individual dough balls, makes it a fun and festive treat.
- Delicious flavor: The combination of buttery dough, cinnamon, and sugar creates a truly satisfying taste.
- Perfect for sharing: Monkey bread is ideal for serving at parties, potlucks, or as a family breakfast.
Ingredients for Monkey Bread
- Enriched flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Active dry yeast
- Warm water
- Milk
- Butter
- Eggs
- Cinnamon
- Granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm water, milk, melted butter, and eggs. Stir until a dough forms.
- Knead and rise: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Shape and coat: Punch down the dough and divide it into small balls. Roll each ball in a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar.
- Assemble: Grease a Bundt pan or a large bowl. Arrange the coated dough balls in the pan, leaving some space between them.
- Bake: Bake the monkey bread in a preheated oven until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Let the monkey bread cool slightly before inverting it onto a serving plate. Serve warm with additional cinnamon sugar if desired.
Variations and Tips
- Add-ins: For extra flavor, consider adding chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts to the dough.
- Glaze: Drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk over the cooled monkey bread for a sweet finishing touch.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Let it rise again before baking.
Monkey bread is a versatile and delicious treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its easy preparation and delightful flavor, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household.