Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread: Creamy, dreamy, irresistible perfection.

A Sweet Start

My grandson calls this “pull-apart bread.” I just call it delicious. It is so easy to make. You start with those canned cinnamon rolls we all know.

Cut each roll into four little pieces. This is the fun part. The kids love to help with this. I still laugh at how messy their little fingers get.

The Coating Station

Next, you mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss all those dough pieces in it. Shake the bowl gently. Watch them get coated in sweet, spicy goodness.

This step matters. The coating makes every single bite perfect. No one gets a plain piece. It is a small thing that makes a big difference.

The Secret Sauce

Now for the magic. Melt some butter with brown sugar. Stir it until it is all bubbly. Pour this over the dough in the pan.

*Fun fact*: This buttery sauce soaks into the dough. It makes the bread gooey and rich inside. Doesn’t that smell amazing while it bakes? What is your favorite baking smell?

Baking Together

Pop it in the oven. In just twenty minutes, it is done. The hard part is waiting for it to cool. You must let it sit for ten minutes.

I learned this the hard way. I flipped a pan too soon once. What a sticky mess! Patience is a good lesson, even in the kitchen.

The Grand Finale

When it is warm, flip the pan onto a plate. Lift the pan slowly. You reveal a beautiful, golden loaf. Everyone can just pull off a piece.

Sharing food like this brings people together. It is more fun than slicing a cake. Do you have a favorite food to share with friends?

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This recipe is perfect for new bakers. It is almost impossible to mess up. That is why I love it. It gives you confidence.

Cooking is not just about eating. It is about making memories. What was the first thing you ever learned to bake? I would love to hear your story.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
prepared large cinnamon rolls	2 cans
white sugar	1 cup
cinnamon	1 TBSP
butter	½ cup	melted
brown sugar	¼ cup

My Gooey Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Oh, this recipe takes me back. My grandson, Liam, invented this one Saturday morning. He was seven and very impatient for breakfast. He saw the cinnamon rolls and just started cutting. What a wonderful mess we made. Now it’s our special treat for sleepovers.

The smell fills your whole house with cozy feelings. It’s like a big, warm hug from the oven. Everyone will gather in the kitchen, I promise. They just can’t help themselves. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Ingredients

• 2 cans (12.4 oz each) refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Instructions

Step 1: First, get your oven nice and hot. Set it to 400 degrees. Then, open up those cans of cinnamon rolls. This part always makes me jump. I still laugh at that popping sound.

Step 2: Now, take your kitchen scissors and cut each roll. Just cut them into four little pieces. They don’t have to be perfect. A little uneven is just fine. This is the fun, easy part.

Step 3: Mix your white sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss all those dough pieces in there. Shake the bowl and coat every single piece. (A hard-learned tip: Use a bowl with a lid to shake. It’s much less messy and more fun for kids!).

Step 4: Dump all your sugary dough bits into a bundt pan. Spread them out evenly. Do you know why we use a bundt pan? It makes a beautiful ring shape when it’s done.

Step 5: Melt your butter and stir in the brown sugar. It will get all bubbly and caramel-like. Pour this sweet, buttery goodness over the dough. Try to cover as much as you can. This is the magic that makes it gooey.

Step 6: Bake it for about 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s golden brown. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, place a plate on top and flip it over. Be brave. It will plop out perfectly. What’s your favorite cozy breakfast food? Share below!

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Breakfast, Dessert

Three Fun Twists to Try

Once you master the basic recipe, you can play. I love adding little surprises. It makes the recipe feel new every time. Here are a few ideas my family loves.

Apple Pie Twist: Toss in a cup of finely chopped apples. It tastes just like a gooey apple pie.

Chocolate Chip Dream: Add a handful of chocolate chips with the dough. Everything is better with chocolate, don’t you think?

Orange Zest Zing: Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the sugar mix. It gives it a bright, sunny flavor. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Masterpiece

Pulling this bread apart is the best part. Everyone gets to grab a piece with their fingers. I always put out a big bowl for the sticky fingers. It’s a very happy, messy moment.

For a real treat, drizzle the icing that came with the rolls on top. You can also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm bread and cold ice cream are heaven. For a drink, a tall glass of cold milk is perfect. Grown-ups might like a cup of strong black coffee with it. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Monkey Bread Perfect

This treat is best fresh from the oven, but you can save leftovers. Let the bread cool completely first, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.

It will last a few days on the counter. I once put a warm loaf in a container and the steam made it soggy. I learned my lesson that day.

You can freeze it for a month. Thaw it on the counter when you’re ready. Reheat slices in the microwave for a soft bite. This matters because it stops food waste.

You can also prepare the whole pan ahead. Just cover it and put it in the fridge. Bake it the next morning for a special breakfast. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Monkey Bread Troubles

Sometimes the bread sticks to the pan, which can be very frustrating. Always grease your bundt pan very well. I use butter or a non-stick spray.

I remember when my first one did not come out clean. The top looked beautiful but the middle stayed inside. Letting it cool for ten minutes helps it set. This matters because a good flip makes everyone cheer.

Is your bread too dry? You might have baked it a bit too long. Check it at eighteen minutes just to be safe. Another issue is the sugar not coating the dough well. Make sure each piece is fully covered in cinnamon-sugar, as this step matters for that perfect sweet crust. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Monkey Bread Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just use gluten-free cinnamon roll dough from the store.

Q: How far ahead can I make it?
A: You can assemble it the night before. Keep it covered in the fridge.

Q: What can I use instead of butter?
A: Margarine works just fine in this recipe.

Q: Can I make a smaller portion?
A: Absolutely. Just use one can of rolls and half the other ingredients.

Q: Any fun add-in ideas?
A: Try tossing in a handful of chopped pecans. It adds a lovely crunch. Which tip will you try first?

A Sweet Note From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this gooey monkey bread. It always makes my kitchen smell like happiness. The best part is sharing it with people you love.

Fun fact: Monkey bread gets its name because you pick it apart with your fingers, just like a monkey! I would be so thrilled to see your creation. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Anna Whitmore.