Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Name: Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 10 - 12 serving(s)
Ingredients: 3 17.5-oz. cans large cinnamon rolls, such as Grands; 1/2 c. granulated sugar; 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon; 1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup); 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 1/3 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed; 2 oz. cream cheese, room temperature; Nonstick cooking spray

It's a gooey, flaky, indulgent treat!

By Erin MerharUpdated: Jan 10, 2024

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the pioneer woman's cinnamon roll monkey bread recipe

Will Dickey

Yields:

10 - 12 serving(s)

Prep Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

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If you're a Pioneer Woman fan, you know that cinnamon rolls and monkey bread are two of Ree Drummond's most popular recipes. Rightly so, you can't go wrong with either for a special occasion like Mother’s Day brunch or just a fun, weekend baking project. But the two ideas combined into this cinnamon roll monkey bread create a flaky, sweet, and indulgent treat that's simply next level.

How do you know when monkey bread is done?

After inhaling the delicious aromas of browned butter and caramelized cinnamon-sugar while it bakes, the last thing you want is to pull off a gooey piece of raw dough! Because all the action is happening deep within the Bundt pan, it can be tricky to tell when monkey bread is done cooking. Look for two simple signs—that the monkey bread has puffed up in the Bundt pan (usually by about 1 inch), and that the top is a toasty, deep brown color.

The most accurate way to guarantee that your monkey bread is perfectly cooked is to use an instant read thermometer. Just like a steak, bread reaches a point where it's cooked to the correct temperature without drying out. For this cinnamon roll monkey bread, insert a thermometer into the center of one side of the bread and aim for a temperature of about 190° to 200°.

How should you store monkey bread?

Because this monkey bread has cream cheese in the frosting, it's best to cover and store it in the refrigerator (for up to 4 days). Remove portions of the bread from the refrigerator and microwave at 50% power, for 20 second intervals, to reach your desired temperature.

What else can I add to monkey bread?

Cinnamon and sugar are just the beginning! Try adding a layer of chopped pecans or walnuts into the center of the monkey bread. You can also substitute apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon in the sugar mixture for a more complex spice flavor. For the fall season, add a layer of chopped roasted apples in the middle and a drizzle of caramel sauce instead of the icing. Imagine a gooey caramel apple, but so much better!

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Ingredients

3
17.5-oz. cans large cinnamon rolls, such as Grands
1/2 cup
granulated sugar
1 Tbsp.
ground cinnamon
1
stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup)
1 tsp.
vanilla extract
1/3 cup
light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 oz.
cream cheese, room temperature
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 350°. Open the cinnamon roll tubes and remove the frosting cups; set them aside to come to room temperature. Separate the dough into individual cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into 6 pieces.
2. Step 2In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Step 3In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. After it is melted, continue to cook it for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the foam and butter underneath are golden brown. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla (it will bubble up!). Once the bubbles have subsided, whisk in the brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
4. Step 4Meanwhile, thoroughly spray a 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add half of the cinnamon roll pieces to the mixing bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Toss well to coat the pieces. Place the pieces in the Bundt pan, creating an even layer. Drizzle with half of the butter-brown sugar mixture. Repeat tossing and layering with remaining ingredients, stirring butter-brown sugar mixture before drizzling, if needed.
5. Step 5Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the monkey bread has puffed up about 1 inch in the pan and the top is deep brown. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then place a dinner plate over the top of the pan. With oven mitts, hold the pan and dinner plate together, then flip over. Carefully remove the bundt pan (give it a few taps if the bread doesn't seem to be releasing) and let it slide out onto the plate.
6. Step 6Meanwhile, mix the cream cheese with a small rubber spatula until very smooth. Add in the contents of the frosting cups, whisking well to combine. Dollop the icing all over the top of the monkey bread, letting it melt into the top and drizzle down the sides. Serve immediately.

If you can't find large, Grands cinnamon rolls, you can substitute 4 12-oz. cans of regular-sized cinnamon rolls. Cut these smaller rolls into just 4 pieces, rather than 6.

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