Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze

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Sticky, sweet, and pull-apart fun — monkey bread is the kind of treat that gets everyone gathered around the table. This easy homemade version uses simple ingredients, yet delivers gooey cinnamon sugar layers with a drizzle of creamy vanilla glaze that makes it totally irresistible. Whether it’s for a cozy weekend brunch or a dessert to share, this monkey bread is always a hit.

There’s something nostalgic and comforting about tearing into a warm chunk of monkey bread. It feels homemade in the best way, especially with the soft dough caramelized on the edges and tender inside. The addition of vanilla glaze brings a gentle sweetness that perfectly ties together the cinnamon and butter flavors in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze

You’ll love this recipe for how simple it is to make, especially if you use store-bought biscuit dough. It transforms just a handful of everyday ingredients into something magical, filling your kitchen with the smell of buttery cinnamon sugar. It’s a family-friendly recipe that brings out smiles and sticky fingers alike.

The soft pull-apart texture is ideal for sharing, making it perfect for brunches, holidays, or potlucks. And while it looks impressive, it doesn’t require any fancy tools or techniques, just a bundt pan and a little layering love.

Can I Use Canned Biscuits for Monkey Bread?

Absolutely! That’s part of what makes this monkey bread so quick and easy. Canned biscuits offer the perfect balance of fluffy interior and crisp edges when baked in a cinnamon sugar coating. If you prefer to make dough from scratch, go for it, but the shortcut version is delicious and convenient. Just make sure to use flaky layers or homestyle biscuits for the best texture.

Ingredients for the Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze

The beauty of this monkey bread lies in its simplicity. You don’t need anything fancy, but each ingredient plays a key role in delivering that gooey, buttery, cinnamon-kissed flavor.

• Refrigerated biscuit dough: This is the time-saving base. Cut into quarters, these bake up into soft and fluffy pull-apart bites.
• Granulated sugar: Tossed with cinnamon to create that sweet crust around each dough piece.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds that signature warmth and spice that monkey bread is known for.
• Unsalted butter: Melted and poured over the dough to create gooey, buttery layers throughout.
• Brown sugar: Mixed with butter, it caramelizes while baking and gives the monkey bread its signature stickiness.
• Powdered sugar: Used for the vanilla glaze to bring a silky sweetness on top.
• Milk: Thins the glaze just enough to drizzle.
• Vanilla extract: Adds fragrant depth to the glaze, balancing the richness of the bread.

How To Make the Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously grease a bundt pan with butter or nonstick spray. This helps the monkey bread release easily after baking.

Step 2: Coat the Dough

Cut each biscuit into quarters. In a large zip-top bag, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Add the dough pieces and shake until well coated.

Step 3: Layer in the Pan

Place the sugar-coated dough pieces into the greased bundt pan, layering evenly.

Step 4: Make the Caramel Sauce

Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in brown sugar until fully combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the dough in the pan.

Step 5: Bake

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is cooked through. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before inverting onto a plate.

Step 6: Make the Vanilla Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the warm monkey bread.

How to Serve and Store Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze

This monkey bread is best served warm when it’s soft and gooey and the glaze is slightly melty. It feeds around 8 to 10 people, depending on portion size and how hungry everyone is! You can serve it straight from the plate or let guests pull pieces off with their hands.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also refrigerate them for up to four days, though reheating in the oven or microwave is recommended to bring back that softness.

What to Serve With Monkey Bread?

Coffee or Lattes

A warm drink like coffee or a cinnamon latte complements the sweetness and enhances the cozy vibes.

Fresh Berries

Serve with a side of strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries to balance the richness with tart freshness.

Scrambled Eggs

If you’re serving monkey bread for brunch, eggs bring the protein and keep things balanced.

Breakfast Sausage

The savory, slightly spicy bite of sausage links or patties pairs nicely with the sweet bread.

Yogurt Parfaits

Layered yogurt with granola and fruit adds texture and a creamy contrast.

Vanilla Ice Cream

For dessert, go all-in and serve a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Salted Nuts

A handful of salted pecans or almonds adds crunch and a savory touch.

Maple Bacon

Sweet and salty perfection when paired with gooey monkey bread.

Want More Sweet Treat Ideas?

If you loved this sticky and sweet monkey bread, here are more dessert and breakfast treats to explore:

• Try the Canned Biscuit Sugar Donuts for a simple and sugary bite.
• Bake up Small Batch Pistachio Cream Cinnamon Rolls if you’re craving rich, nutty spirals.
• Go for a slice of Hot Fudge Brownie Bread when you want something deeply chocolaty.
• For a fruity touch, these Blueberry Cheesecake Heaven Rolls are a dreamy pick.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go heavy on the glaze? Try adding nuts or raisins?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too — let’s help each other bake better.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!

Conclusion

This easy homemade monkey bread with vanilla glaze is pure comfort in every pull-apart piece. With just a few simple ingredients, you get layers of cinnamon sugar bliss wrapped in buttery goodness, all finished with a creamy vanilla drizzle. It’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again—whether for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

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