Thought it was time to make something sweet and fun to eat. My monkey bread is super yummy to enjoy at any gathering. I love making a cream cheese glaze to top it with this reminds me of a cinnabon. If you don’t want to add the cream cheese glaze keep the monkey bread plain or add powder sugar on top. Kids and adults have so much fun tearing the monkey bread apart & everyone enjoys this tasty sweet treat. Happy baking!
Ingredients:
Prep Step 1- Combine 1/4 cup warm water, 2 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast & 1 heaping tsp. granulated sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until bubbly & frothy. Also prep Bundt pan by greasing with non stick oil, set aside.
Dough- 3 3/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup warm milk
1 large egg
3 1/2 Tbls. granulated sugar
2 Tbls. melted butter
1 tsp. salt ( I use sea salt)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Direction: Step 2
In a bowl mix the egg, sugar, butter (I use a kitchenaid mixer) add all remaining ingredients including the yeast mixture mix until it forms into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and towel, rise for 30 minutes.
Prep Coating for dipping and rolling station: Mix together 1 cup of brown sugar & 2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon put in a shallow dish set aside. In another shallow dish melt 1 stick of unsalted butter, I melt the butter in the microwave, do not overheat approx 50 seconds.
Step 3- After 30 minutes: Turn dough onto a floured surface, punch it done, form small balls, size a little larger than a golf ball.
After your done forming balls Preheat oven 350 degrees
Roll each dough ball in the butter and then roll & coat generously in the brown sugar mixture ( I wear gloves and flour my hands as needed so dough doesn’t stick to my hands). Place each ball in prepared bundt pan, do single layer then another layer on top. Cover again with plastic wrap and towel, start second rise for 45 minutes.
Bake 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely when using cream cheese glaze.
Cream cheese glaze: Mix in a bowl using a baking spatula, 1/2 stick unsalted butter, 1/2 stick (4oz.) regular cream cheese (room temperature or I put in microwave to soften a little) 1 tsp. vanilla extract plus add 1 cup powder sugar, mix altogether until smooth. Before pouring on top of the cooled off monkey bread if needed place in microwave for a couple of seconds to make glaze like texture. Let stand a bit to thicken if needed.
Enjoy & have fun eating your Monkey Bread! Leftovers keep refrigerated, If your not planning on eating the entire monkey bread you can add your glaze after reheating in the oven or microwave. (Keep glaze refrigerated)
