Christmas Monkey Bread is a fun and sweet treat perfect for the holidays! It’s made with soft, gooey dough balls coated in cinnamon and sugar, baked to golden goodness.
This treat is like a festive puzzle that you can pull apart and enjoy bite by bite. I love serving it warm, maybe with a drizzle of icing on top. It really brings everyone together! 🎄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: Using refrigerated biscuit dough makes this recipe super easy! If you want a homemade touch, you can use homemade biscuit dough as a substitute. Just ensure it’s soft enough to pull apart.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The mix of both sugars gives a fantastic caramel flavor. If you’re looking for alternatives, coconut sugar can work well for a more natural sweetener. For a lower-sugar version, you can reduce the amounts or use a sugar substitute.
Cinnamon: This spice adds warmth and sweetness to the bread. If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, you can try nutmeg or ginger for a different flavor profile!
Butter: Unsalted butter is best, as it lets you control the saltiness in your dish. If you’re dairy-free, you can use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
Peppermint Candies: These are a fun holiday touch! If peppermint isn’t your thing, you can skip it or use festive sprinkles instead for color.
How Do I Ensure Perfectly Baked Monkey Bread?
Getting that perfect bake for your monkey bread is key to enjoying its gooey goodness! Here are some tips:
- Even Cooking: Make sure to layer the biscuit pieces evenly in the bundt pan. This helps them bake thoroughly without leaving some dough raw.
- Cover if Needed: If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil while baking to prevent burning.
- Cooling Time: Letting it cool for a few minutes in the pan helps it set and makes it easier to invert without falling apart. Be patient; it’s worth it!
With these tips, you’ll have perfectly golden, sticky, and sweet monkey bread that everyone will love! Enjoy the festive cheer this season!
Christmas Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough (about 16 oz each)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup white icing or glaze (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (for festive topping)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Christmas Monkey Bread takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 35-40 minutes to bake. Don’t forget to let it cool for about 10 minutes after baking, making a total time of around 1 hour. Perfect for sharing during holiday gatherings!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is warming up, grease a bundt pan or tube pan very well with butter or non-stick spray. This will help your monkey bread come out easily after baking.
2. Prepare the Biscuit Dough:
Open the cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. You will end up with small, cute dough pieces which you’ll use to create the monkey bread. Set them aside for now.
3. Mix Sugars and Cinnamon:
In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Add the biscuit pieces into the bowl and toss them gently to coat each piece evenly with the sugar mixture. This is where the delicious flavor comes from!
4. Make the Brown Sugar Mixture:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it’s fully melted, add the brown sugar and water. Stir the mixture while bringing it to a gentle boil, making sure the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth. After about 2-3 minutes, remove it from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Assemble the Monkey Bread:
Layer half of the coated biscuit pieces into the greased bundt pan. Pour half of the warm brown sugar mixture evenly over these dough balls. Then, add the remaining biscuit pieces on top, and finish by pouring the rest of the brown sugar mixture over everything.
6. Bake to Perfection:
Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Keep an eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.
7. Cool and Invert:
Once baked, allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully invert it onto a serving plate, making sure it all comes out in one piece. It looks beautiful when you flip it!
8. Add the Festive Touch:
Drizzle the white icing over the warm monkey bread, allowing it to soak into the sweet layers. Finish by sprinkling the crushed peppermint candies on top for that festive crunch!
9. Serve and Enjoy:
It’s time to dig in! Serve the monkey bread warm and enjoy pulling apart those gooey, sweet pieces. It’s a perfect treat to share with family and friends on special occasions!
This Christmas Monkey Bread is wonderfully caramelized on the outside with soft, fluffy dough inside, and the peppermint topping adds a delightful crunch. Happy holidays!
Can I Use Frozen Biscuit Dough Instead of Refrigerated?
Yes, you can use frozen biscuit dough! Just make sure to thaw it completely before cutting into quarters. You can thaw it in the fridge overnight or let it sit at room temperature for a couple of hours.
What If I Don’t Have Peppermint Candies?
No problem at all! If you don’t have peppermint candies, you can skip them or top the monkey bread with colored sprinkles or chopped nuts for added crunch and decoration.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the biscuit pieces and the brown sugar mixture a day ahead. Store the coated biscuit pieces in the fridge and cover the brown sugar mixture in an airtight container. When you’re ready, simply assemble and bake!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
If you have any leftovers (though they may go quickly!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop a piece in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to warm it up!