Pieces of white bread dough are dipped in butter and cinnamon sugar, creating a caramelized surface when the monkey bread bakes. It's a great breakfast and brunch recipe.
Bucket lists.
A new year, a new recipe crossed off the list. The List. If I thought starting a food blog would shorten it, of course, I was wrong by a gazillion light years.
The List is relentless in its urgency, each item more important than the last one, which seemed so urgent at the time.
So, what's on your bucket list as you start the year? You might find what you need today here or just add a few dozen new ones. That's how good the list of recipes is.
The List has two types of recipes, the ones I need to tackle because of a certain technique I want to master and the ones that just need to be made because I've been wanting to forever, and that is a long time, according to the years I've been cooking, like this monkey bread.
I don't think I ever saw a monkey bread pic that I didn't find amazing. Yet here I am, making it for the first time.
This recipe is from Mel, who has an amazing blog. That woman can come up with some of the most incredible recipes. Not to mention the cutest kids.
Little balls of bread are dipped first in butter and then in brown sugar with cinnamon and baked until caramelized.
It's like the best combination ever, for breakfast, snack, movie watching, the perfect sugar/starch craving soother. Or just because you wanted to make something decadent and fun to eat.
You probably have every ingredient in your house. You can use white sugar only, another spice or citrus zest, or a boozy glaze, which I did.
I added rum instead of milk because I really can't help myself. Please, please eat it while it's warm. And then lick your fingers.
My sugar-coated balls of dough look two different colors because they were. I ran out of light brown sugar and had to go with dark brown for the last part.
Mine unmolded pretty nicely, something that is achieved only if done within the first minutes after taking it out of the oven. Still, three pics later, it started to fall apart, which made it even more impossible not to start eating at once.
After all, it was falling apart. Interesting how fast one can pop these bites and not even realize a huge chunk of monkey bread is gone.
One last thing.
About dipping in melted butter and then in sugar. You have two hands, and it's a good decision to use one for each chore.
So, if you don't follow my advice and end up with two hands thickly buttered and sugared, so much that you have to wash them before you realize you've done it again and again, and again, don't come here to complain.
Karen Hartzell (@InTheKitchenKP) says
Love this and the cinnamon and sugar in your pictures looks so delicious! Happy Sunday, Paula!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
my bucket list grows longer with every blog I read. and yes, monkey bread is always on my to-bake list.
Thanks for sharing it with #bakeyourownbread
Amanda says
Monkey bread has been on my list of things I want to make and this post has made that desire even stronger. Yours looks soooo good. I will have to get on it asap!
Anne @ Webicurean says
wow just wow. I'm afraid if I made something like this I'd eat the whole thing! it's way too easy with all those little bites!
Lane says
One of my favorite things about staying with my inlaws is MIL's monkey bread! I have never made it myself, but I have dreams about it. This looks fantastic!
Mary Hirsch says
I must admit it. I am crazy about monkey bread but don't make it often.........for that very reason. Yours looks so good, Paula. Did you eat the whole thing? Be honest.
wp_vknotes_admin says
I gave most of it away that day, together with a bundt cake that I´m posting next week. Leftover food is starting to be a problem!
Cocoa and Lavender says
I have never had a monkey bread - now I want to try it! What isn't good about that combination? Hmmmm... I have to think about bucket list recipes. Probably a Gateau St. Honoré - my mother made me one for my birthday when I was a teen, and I have always wanted to try making one. What a great idea instead of a New Year's resolution - a bucket list fulfillment! ~ David
wp_vknotes_admin says
I haven´t made much choux pastry in my life, so that would be something interesting David!
Laura Dembowski says
I've always wanted to try monkey bread too! Yours looks great 🙂
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Paula, I have really been wanting to make a Monkey Bread for the longest times - the kids would love for me it, I am sure. And now that I have seen your terrific version and the wonderful pictures, I am encouraged to finally make one!
Sarah Reid says
OMG yes please!