Monkey Bread

Make old-fashioned Monkey Bread with frozen dinner rolls, vanilla pudding, brown sugar, and cinnamon. A yummy pull-apart breakfast or dessert!

Monkey Bread is a sweet, sticky pull-apart bread made from small pieces of dough coated in cinnamon sugar, baked together in a Bundt pan, and drenched in a buttery brown sugar sauce, resulting in a soft and gooey dessert. This was my first time making this recipe, and it’s reminiscent of how to make semi-homemade cinnamon rolls without all the effort. The monkey bread baked in a Bundt pan turned out incredibly delicious with a warm, comforting flavor. I can see this easy monkey bread being great for a holiday breakfast, brunch, or any special gathering with family and friends. 

MONKEY BREAD

Some monkey bread recipes call for yeast dough made from scratch or biscuit dough. This recipe starts with pre-made frozen dinner rolls that rise overnight. Although this recipe does require some prep, it actually saves significant prep time while still creating a soft, fluffy texture. It also uses vanilla pudding mix, which isn’t typical in classic monkey bread recipes, but adds extra moisture and a rich, custard-like sweetness. Traditional monkey bread usually relies solely on a homemade dough coated in cinnamon sugar and butter, whereas this version layers in brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter for a deeper caramel-like sauce. The result is a more foolproof, beginner-friendly monkey bread recipe that delivers the same gooey, pull-apart experience with far less effort. If you’ve never made monkey bread before or feel intimidated by it, this is a great recipe to start with.

Find my expert tips on how to make monkey bread from scratch with dinner rolls below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️

Why You’ll Love This Easy Monkey Bread Recipe:

• Soft & Gooey: The combination of butter, brown sugar, and vanilla pudding mix creates an ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth monkey bread.
• Semi-Homemade: Made with frozen dinner rolls, this recipe saves time while still delivering a warm, bakery-style homemade taste.
• Beginner-Baker-Friendly: No advanced baking skills required—this is a foolproof monkey bread recipe even first-time bakers can master.
• Great For Sharing: The pull-apart style makes it fun for serving a group.
• Make-Ahead-Friendly: Prep it the night before and let it rise overnight, so all you have to do is bake it in the morning.

Ingredients

Monkey Bread

• 24 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls
• 1 small box of Vanilla Pudding mix (NOT instant)
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 stick Butter, melted

Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Milk

Instructions

For The Monkey Bread 

Right before going to bed (or about 10 pm), spray a Bundt pan with cooking spray. Place all 24 frozen rolls into the pan. Mix dry pudding mix, brown sugar, and cinnamon together, and then sprinkle evenly over the frozen rolls.
 
Pour the melted butter all over the rolls, trying to cover all of the sugar. Cover with saran wrap thats been coated in cooking spray, and cover rolls. Let it stand overnight on the counter until morning. Rolls will be all risen. If they are overflowing above the top of the pan, gently prick the tops to deflate a little bit. Place the bundt pan on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 minutes.

For The Glaze

Remove from oven and let stand while you mix glaze ingredients. Gently turn the bundt pan upside down to remove the monkey bread onto a serving platter. Drizzle with glaze and serve warm. Enjoy!

Note

If making these for a dinnertime dessert, just prepare as directed at least 5 hours in advance to allow time for the rolls to thaw and rise.

Servings

Yields: 1 large monkey bread.

Storage and Reheating

To store Monkey Bread, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or tightly wrapping it in plastic wrap or foil. Keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness. To freeze, wrap monkey bread well in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To reheat, individual portions in the microwave for 15-30 seconds or warm the whole bread in the oven at 300°F until soft, gooey, and heated through.

Holly’s Tips for The Best Monkey Bread Recipe:

• Use Frozen Rolls: High-quality frozen dinner rolls like Rhodes make this recipe incredibly easy and convenient while still delivering a soft, fluffy texture once baked.
• Allow Enough Rising Time: Let the rolls sit overnight (or at least 5 hours) to fully thaw and double in size for a light, airy texture.
• Don’t Use Instant Pudding Mix: Make sure to use regular (cook & serve) vanilla pudding mix, as it helps create that signature gooey, caramel-like coating.
• Grease The Pan: Coat the pan well with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure your monkey bread releases cleanly after baking. You can also place the Bundt pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips and keep your oven clean.
• Layer Ingredients Evenly: Sprinkle the sugar, cinnamon, and pudding mix evenly over the rolls so every bite is coated in sweet, spiced goodness.
• Prevent Overflow While Baking: If the dough rises above the pan, gently deflate it with a small prick to avoid spilling over in the oven.
• Allow It To Rest: Allow the monkey bread to sit briefly after baking, so it holds its shape when inverted.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Similar Recipes

Craving something similar? Make my Banana Bread Monkey Bread.

Wanting something different? Bake my Cini Mini Monkey Breads.

Craving more cinnamon-infused dishes? Make these highly-rated recipes: Cinnamon Roll Cake, Chunky Cinnamon French Toast, and Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls.

Have you made this Monkey Bread recipe? 🤎

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