I think monkey bread in a loaf pan is an easy, creative way to make a sweet breakfast or brunch and a perfect alternative to rolls; I use frozen or refrigerated dough, quartered into balls, dipped in melted butter with cinnamon sugar, then combine and combined before it is baked.
The bread turns soft, gooey, ooey, and delicious, full of flavor, and every time I serve it with creamy caramel sauce, each pull apart bite is quickly devoured; this easier roll-style treat I’ve made again and again still feels like dreams you can share and enjoy whenever you can.
Monkey Bread in Loaf Pan-The Short Answer
Why I Always Love Making This Recipe
- For me, the definition of comfort baking is homemade monkey bread because it gives low effort and high reward every time.
- This dessert bread recipe cuts corners by using pillsbury biscuits instead of homemade dough, simply throwing everything together with a quick cinnamon mixture.
- Once baked, the result is a delicious, sticky bread that stays easy yet suitable for weekend brunch, cozy breakfast, and special occasions.
- It always reminds me of family moments we always shared on the first day of school and every Christmas morning.
Equipment I Personally Use
- I always begin with a mixing bowl because, from my baking experience, even coating makes better monkey bread.
- Simple equipment works best for me, so I rely on sturdy bakeware instead of extra tools.
- I use 1 loaf pan sized 8 by 5, and this 1 pan has consistently given me even results every time I bake at home.
Ingredients, A Practical Take From My Kitchen
I’ve found that monkey bread bakes best in a loaf pan when each ingredient is measured with intention and used for a clear reason.
Dough Options
- 1 can biscuit dough, cut into even pieces for consistent baking
- Frozen dinner roll dough (about 20 rolls), thawed and cut into quarters for a softer, pull-apart texture
- Brioche dough if you want a richer, bakery-style loaf
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- ½ cup sugar (granulated or a blend with brown sugar)
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon for warmth and balance
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional, but adds depth)
Mix the coating first, then toss the dough pieces until evenly covered.
Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
This mixture melts into a soft, creamy caramel as the bread bakes, preventing dryness in the loaf pan.
Shortcut Option
- 1 (12.4-ounce) package refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, baked low and slow, still delivers a tender, pull-apart loaf when time is short.
How To Make it
- I always preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). From my experience, this temperature bakes monkey bread evenly in a loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine white sugar and cinnamon, then set aside.
- Open a can or cans of biscuits, cut each one into four pieces, and shape every piece into a ball, so that you’re left with soft biscuit dough.
- When using frozen uncooked dinner rolls, I work while they’re still cold so I can coat them fully and place them into a prepared loaf pan.
Building the Layers
- Make the cinnamon-sugar mixture and toss the dough in the bowl.
- In a small bowl, melt butter in the microwave using 30 second intervals.
- I start to layer melted butter and dough, adding leftover sugar in alternate layering until everything is used up.
- This process works best in an 8 by 5-inch or 9×5-inch pan, lightly grease or prepare it by brushing better—a lesson learned from early sticky mishaps.
Sauce and Baking
- I whisk together granulated sugar, ginger, and light brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add heavy cream, bring to a gentle boil, and stir continuously until the sugar is dissolved and begins to simmer.
- Pour the sauce over the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit at room temperature for 45 minutes to rise.
- Bake for 40 minutes or 35-40 until the top turns golden, the dough has risen, and it’s cooked ways through.
Serving
- Once it’s baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool before releasing it by turning and inverting upside down onto a serving platter or plate.
- I wait 10 minute, sometimes 5, then drizzle icing from the packet on top, flip, turn, and start digging out pieces.
- Serve warm and enjoy this delicious monkey bread—it disappears fast every time I make it.
Notes & Nutrition Made Simple
- This recipe works best with frozen dough, especially dinner roll balls—no scratch prep needed.
- I personally love Rhodes Rolls, but other brands work just as well.
- For flavor, add chopped pecans and sprinkle them through the cinnamon-sugar-coated dough before the caramel.
- Diced apples are a favorite of mine and add a warm fall flavor.
- For extra gooey texture, add chocolate chips while mixing—I always recommend this.
Nutrition (per one serving / 1 serving):
- Calories: 307kcal or 310kcal (some portions list 246 calories)
- Carbohydrates: 46g | Carbs: 35g
- Protein: 6g or 2g
- Fat: 12g or 11g
- Saturated: 5g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 4g
- Trans fat
- Cholesterol: 19mg or 15mg
- Sodium: 380mg or 337mg
- Potassium: 101mg or 29mg
- Fiber: 3g | Dietary: 1g
- Sugar: 14g | Sugars: 13g
- Vitamin A: 231IU | C: 0mg
- Calcium: 140mg or 18mg
- Iron: 3mg or 1mg
If you follow a medically restrictive plan, please consult your doctor or a registered dietitian before personal consumption
Fun Serving Suggestions
If you love a low-effort dessert that tastes like a professional bakery made it, you have to try this Fudgy Brownie Cake Mix Recipe. It is the ultimate shortcut for those days when you need a chocolate fix fast. If you’re hosting friends and need a crowd-pleaser, I highly recommend The 5-Minute Brownie Batter Dip Everyone Is Obsessed With—it’s dangerously addictive! For fans of that classic salty-sweet combo, these Homemade Payday Bars (Quick Easy & Better Than Store-Bought) will definitely become a new staple in your kitchen.
Why stop at monkey bread when you can elevate your next brunch with an Ultra-Gooey Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Rolls Recipe? It’s the perfect mashup of two iconic desserts. If you want something that looks impressive but is secretly simple to pull off, you can Select Perfect Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake at Home for your next gathering. Honestly, making a Perfect Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake at Home is much easier than it sounds, and the caramel-pecan glaze is a total game-changer for any weekend morning.
FAQ
What’s the origin of monkey bread?
Monkey bread is named after the way you pick chunks of buttery dough with your fingers, like a monkey grooming its buddy. It’s a fun finger food and often called a pull apart loaf.
Can I make a bigger batch of this?
Yes! Simply times the recipe by two, bake in a bundt pan, and cook for 5-10 minutes longer to make it full sized.
Is biscuit dough necessary for this recipe?
No, you can use homemade bread dough, brioche dough, or dinner rolls instead of canned biscuit dough for a different twist.
Why does this recipe not include caramel sauce?
This recipe uses cinnamon-sugar and butter to create a gooey sauce, skipping the caramel sauce for an easier process.
How long will monkey bread stay fresh?
Store in an airtight container or resealable baggie with air squeezed out. It stays fresh for 2-3 days and can be re-heated at 250 degrees F for 15 minutes.
