Monkey Bread

Monkey bread is a fun brunch sweet for sharing with a larger group. This recipe takes quite a bit of effort, but is worth the time investment.

Ingredients

• Dough

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees fahrenheit)
  • 1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees fahrenheit)
  • 1/4 granulated sugar
  • 1 envelope of rapid rise instant yeast (7 grams)
  • 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons of salt

• Coating

  • 1 cup packed light or golden brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

• Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

• For the dough

  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and then turn off
  • Grease a bundt pan with 2 tablespoons of the softened butter
  • In a microwave safe bowl, combine the milk, water and, 2 tablespoons of the butter
  • Heat mixture 20 seconds at a time until it reaches 110 degrees
  • Add yeast and let hydrates for a few minutes, then stir to combine
  • Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl
  • Make a well in the flour and the pour in liquid mixture
  • Use spoon to mix until dough becomes shaggy and difficult to stir
  • On lightly floured work surface, knead dough for 7 to 10 minutes, until smooth and satiny
  • Add dough back to oiled bowl and then cover with plastic wrap.
  • Place in warmed oven until dough doubles in size (45 minutes to an hour)
  • Shape the dough into ~ 8 in square. Using a dough cutter cut into 64 pieces
  • Roll each dough piece into a ball
  • Dip the rolled balls in the melted butter and then roll in the cinnamon/sugar mixture
  • Layer the completed balls in the buttered bundt pan
  • Cover the bundt pan tightly with plastic wrap and put back in the warm oven until the dough balls are puffy and risen near the top of the pan (50 to 70 minutes)
  • Remove the pan from the oven, heat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit
  • Bake until the top is a deep brown and the caramel begins to bubble around the edges (30 to 35 minutes)
  • Cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a platter and allow to cool for another 10 minutes
  • Drizzle the glaze over the top and then serve while still warm

• For the coating

  • Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl
  • Melt the butter in an additional bowl
  • Set aside

• For the glaze

  • Mix the milk with sugar and set aside

Equipment