Warm, gooey, sweet and cozy. These are just some of the feels that spring to mind when I think about this super easy sticky bun monkey bread recipe.
Using refrigerated cans of biscuits (Pillsbury Grands are the best!) makes this an easy, family-friendly treat to make and to enjoy.
Nothing says comfort like this pull apart bread, perfect for snuggly mornings. It’s the kind of thing that brings the whole family together!
Ingredients for Sticky Bun Grands MONKEY BREAD
Homemade monkey bread is a great recipe to make together, so we keep it very simple with the list of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pillsbury Grands Biscuits. It’s become confusing at the supermarket these days with all of the different canned biscuits! In terms of Pillsbury Grands, you’ve got your choice of Buttermilk, Honey Butter, Flaky Layers, Southern Recipe and more. You want to grab the Original style. If you can’t find the Original, get the Flaky Layers but make sure it’s the Original style of Flaky Layers.
Confusing, I know. The point is to not get Buttermilk or anything with added butter flavor. The recipe will not come out right with those kind of biscuits. - Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- White Sugar
- Raisins
- Pecans
HOW TO MAKE Sticky Bun grands MONKEY BREAD
Here’s how to make this easy monkey bread recipe:
First, sprinkle half of the raisins and nuts on the bottom of a bundt pan. Then, cut each Grands biscuit into small pieces and roll them into balls.
Now, coat the separate dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place half of them into the pan.
Repeat this process with the other half of raisins, pecans and dough balls.
Whisk the brown sugar and butter together on the stove until the sugar melts. Pour it over the biscuits. Now you’re ready to bake!
Be sure to cool this sticky bun monkey bread to room temperature before you invert it onto a serving plate.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
VARIATIONS ON THIS EASY MONKEY BREAD MUFFIN RECIPE
There are so many fun twists on the traditional cinnamon-sugar monkey bread that there could be a new monkey bread for every occasion! Here are some delicious recipes to try:
- Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread. Take the decadence factor over the top by using refrigerated cinnamon rolls instead of biscuit dough. Drizzle the cream cheese icing that comes with the cinnamon roll dough over the top for more heavenly goodness.
- Gingerbread Monkey Bread. Give your monkey bread a holiday twist with my Gingerbread Monkey Bread Recipe. It’s the best monkey bread recipe for Christmas morning!
- Chocolate Lover’s Monkey Bread. Every kid’s favorite, this version incorporates mini chocolate chips into the layers of biscuit dough. Finish the cooled monkey bread with a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce.
- Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread. A fun treat for fall! Sprinkle diced apples into the layers of biscuit dough for a sweet treat that tastes like apple pie!
- Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread. There’s nothing better during pumpkin season! Add premade pumpkin spice or a homemade blend of nutmeg, ginger and cloves to the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Top these muffins off with a warm drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Monkey Bread Muffins. Make a personalized version of this Sticky Bun Monkey Bread by using a 12-cup muffin tin.
How to Store Leftover Monkey Bread
Monkey bread can be easily stored in an airtight container, plastic food bag or covered tightly with plastic wrap.
There is no need to refrigerate it if you plan on consuming it within a day or two.
Make Ahead Instructions for this Sticky Bun grands Monkey Bread
Monkey bread is an easy recipe to assemble ahead of time. Simply arrange the biscuit pieces, raisins and nuts in a bundt pan, cover it with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated.
When you’re ready to bake the monkey bread, melt the butter and brown sugar and pour the mixture over the biscuits.
You may need to increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes to account for the colder biscuits if they’re right out of the fridge.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T HAVE A BUNDT PAN?
While a bundt pan isn’t necessarily required to make this Sticky Bun Monkey Bread, it’s traditional to use one. If you don’t have a bundt pan, try standard loaf pan, round cake pan or tube pan.
I have not tested this recipe in anything but a bundt pan, so I cannot guarantee your results.
If you’re trying this recipe in another type of pan, my advice would be to half the measurements, just to be sure that all of the biscuits will cook through.
WHY IS IT CALLED MONKEY BREAD?
Monkey Bread gets its name because of the way it is eaten. You pick off the sweet little balls of dough and it resembles how a monkey looks when he is grooming his friend or mate.
If you’ve ever watched Animal Planet or visited a zoo, you know what I’m talking about. Kind of weird to name a food after this, but also kind of funny.
When you make this cozy Sticky Bun Monkey Bread, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more easy bakes, try these:
- Chocolate Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
- Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Apple Butter Baked Brie Puff Pastry Twists
For more sweet breakfast treats, try these:
Sticky Bun Monkey Bread Recipe using Grands Biscuits
Ingredients
- 3 tubes large biscuit dough not buttermilk
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- 6 oz. raisins
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with half of the pecans and half of the raisins.
- In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Cut each biscuit into quarters. Roll biscuit pieces into balls and dip in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Place half of the biscuit balls into the bundt pan evenly. Repeat with another layer of raisins, pecans and dough.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together and whisk to combine. Pour evenly over the dough. Place a baking sheet on the rack underneath the bundt pan to catch any drips. Bake for 1 hour. Allow to cool before turning out of the pan.
Yummy in the tummy! Such a fun time to make this with the children and watch them dig in with their little fingers.