Gooey Homemade Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe for Beginners

Warm, gooey, and irresistibly delicious, this cinnamon roll monkey bread blends the classic comfort of sweet pastries with a playful twist.

Sticky caramel notes dance with swirls of ground cinnamon, creating a dessert that beckons hungry hands to tear and share.

Soft dough chunks are generously coated in a rich butter and brown sugar mixture, promising decadent bites with every pull.

Each morsel melts in your mouth, delivering layers of sweet, spicy warmth that transform ordinary breakfast or dessert into something extraordinary.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, enticing them with promises of pure indulgence.

Clusters of soft, pull-apart bread await, ready to become your new favorite weekend treat.

Dive into this simple yet spectacular recipe that turns ordinary moments into delectable memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 11

What You Need For Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

• Cinnamon Rolls: Pick soft, fresh rolls that promise a delightful pull-apart texture with rich cinnamon swirls.
• Granulated Sugar: Transforms ordinary rolls into a sweet, caramelized treat with delicate crunch.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic depth and transforms simple dough into a fragrant delight.

• Butter: Creates a silky, rich base that helps bind and enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps develop a gooey, irresistible coating.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces complex, subtle undertones that elevate the entire dessert's flavor.

• Icing: Pre-made sweet drizzle that adds a creamy, decadent finish to the monkey bread.

Must-Have Tools For Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

• Bundt Pan or 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Essential for creating the monkey bread's signature shape and allowing even baking.
• Large Zip-Top Bag or Bowl: Perfect for coating cinnamon roll pieces with sugar and cinnamon mixture.
• Whisk: Helps blend the caramel sauce ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Sharp Knife: Great for cutting cinnamon rolls into even quarters.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for consistent results.
• Aluminum Foil: Optional for covering the top if it browns too fast during baking.
• Serving Plate: For presenting the delicious monkey bread after baking.

Simple Directions For Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

• Oven Warmup

Crank up the heat to 350F. Grab a bundt pan and give it a generous butter massage to prevent sticking.

• Roll Transformation

Crack open those cinnamon roll tubes and slice each spiral into four delectable chunks.

• Sweet Sugar Shower

Tumble the roll pieces into a cinnamon-sugar dance, ensuring every morsel gets a delightful coating.

• Messy Pan Arrangement

Toss the sugary pieces into the bundt pan, creating a wild and carefree mountain of goodness.

• Caramel Magic

Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until they become a silky, golden river.

• Baking Adventure

Send your creation into the hot oven for 35-40 minutes. Watch for a golden crown of deliciousness. If the top gets too tan, drape some foil over it.

• Finishing Touches

Let the bread rest briefly, then flip it onto a serving plate. Drizzle the packaged icing like an artist’s final brushstroke.

• Delicious Moment

Pull apart the sticky masterpiece and savor every gooey, cinnamon-kissed bite!

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Tips And Changes

• Pro Temperature Check: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center reaches 190°F, guaranteeing perfectly cooked and soft bread without dry edges.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the monkey bread the night before, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning for a hassle-free breakfast treat.
• Texture Transformation: For extra crispiness, add chopped pecans or walnuts between layers, creating delightful crunchy pockets that complement the soft bread.
• Dietary Twist: Swap traditional cinnamon rolls with gluten-free or vegan options to accommodate different dietary needs while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with alternative spices like cardamom or nutmeg, or add a splash of orange zest to the caramel sauce for a unique taste experience that elevates the classic recipe.

Serving Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Made Easy

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair this warm monkey bread with a steaming cup of coffee or fresh orange juice for a delightful morning treat.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Serve alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon to create a memorable weekend breakfast spread that everyone will love.
• Party Pleaser Presentation: Arrange the monkey bread on a beautiful wooden board with extra icing on the side, allowing guests to pull apart and enjoy the gooey goodness together.
• Dessert Transformation: After dinner, warm up leftover monkey bread and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert that feels like a special comfort food moment.

How To Save Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover monkey bread in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place the entire dish in a preheated 300F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven softness and warmth.
• Freezing Magic: Freeze completely cooled monkey bread by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap, then placing inside a freezer-safe container. Keeps well for 2-3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Portion Preparation Hack: Cut monkey bread into individual servings before storing. This makes grab-and-go snacking easier and prevents repeatedly reheating the entire batch, which can dry out the delicate pastry pieces.

Gooey Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Gooey cinnamon roll monkey bread combines classic comfort with pull-apart deliciousness. Sweet cinnamon layers create an irresistible treat for weekend gatherings or special breakfast moments.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cans (16 oz/454 g) pre-made cinnamon rolls (with icing)
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease a bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray to prevent adherence.
2. Preparation: Deconstruct cinnamon rolls into bite-sized quadrants, then coat each piece comprehensively in a cinnamon-sugar blend by tumbling in a spacious mixing container.
3. Layering: Strategically arrange sugar-encrusted roll fragments within the bundt pan, creating an appetizing architectural design that ensures even distribution.
4. Caramel Infusion: Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to craft a luxurious caramel sauce. Generously drench the cinnamon roll pieces with this golden elixir, allowing it to seep between the layers.
5. Baking Transformation: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Monitor the surface, tenting with aluminum foil if browning occurs too rapidly, until the bread achieves a rich, amber-golden complexion.
6. Presentation: Once baked, allow the monkey bread to rest momentarily in the pan before inverting onto a serving platter. Embellish the warm, caramelized creation with a cascading drizzle of cream cheese icing, inviting communal sharing and indulgent tearing.

Notes

• Avoid Overmixing Dough: Gently toss cinnamon roll pieces to prevent dense, tough texture and maintain light, airy consistency.
• Control Browning Technique: Monitor bread closely during baking; use aluminum foil tent if top browns too quickly to ensure even, golden-brown coloration.
• Prepare Pan Perfectly: Generously grease bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray to guarantee effortless release and prevent sticking.
• Serve Immediately Warm: Enjoy monkey bread fresh from the oven when caramel is gooey and rolls are at peak softness for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg