This cinnamon roll monkey bread is soft on the inside with crispy cinnamon edges and a sweet and creamy drizzle on top.
With just 10 minutes of prep time, you'll have a warm, gooey cinnamon treat that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or an anytime snack. The best part? Your kitchen will smell like pure cinnamon roll heaven while it bakes.
Why You'll Love This Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
- Quick & Simple - Just 10 minutes of hands-on prep.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor - Gooey cinnamon-sugar center with caramelized edges.
- Perfect for Gatherings - Bundt pan presentation makes it a showstopper.
- Kid-Friendly - Easy to pull apart and fun to eat.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need for this recipe, plus some helpful tips and substitutions:
- Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough - Use the kind that comes with icing included. If you can't find it, you can make a quick icing with powdered sugar and milk. Homemade cinnamon rolls work too-about 24 ounces of dough is perfect.
- Granulated sugar - Used to coat the dough pieces with cinnamon for that classic flavor.
- Ground cinnamon - Adjust to your preference. Less for mild, more for bold cinnamon flavor.
- Dark brown sugar - Creates a rich, caramel-like sauce. Light brown sugar can be swapped in for a milder taste.
- Salted butter - Gives richness and flavor. Unsalted butter or margarine will also work.
- Vanilla extract - Optional, but adds warmth and depth to the sauce.
- Icing from the cinnamon rolls - Don't toss this! You'll mix it with cream cheese for a creamy drizzle.
- Cream cheese - Full-fat has the best texture, but reduced-fat or fat-free will also work.
Supplies You'll Need
A few basic kitchen tools will make this recipe easy to put together:
- 12-cup bundt pan - Creates the classic monkey bread shape and makes it easy to pull apart.
- Non-stick baking spray - Helps ensure the bread releases from the pan cleanly.
- Large bowl - For tossing the dough pieces with the cinnamon sugar.
- Knife - To cut each cinnamon roll into pieces.
- Saucepan - For melting the butter and mixing in the brown sugar and vanilla.
- Plate - For flipping the monkey bread out of the bundt pan.
- Heat-safe bowl - For warming the cream cheese and mixing with the icing.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Step 1. Prepare your pan.
Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 12-cup bundt pan with non-stick spray.
Step 2. Mix cinnamon sugar.
In a large bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon.
Step 3. Cut cinnamon rolls.
Separate rolls and cut each into 4 pieces.
Step 4. Coat with cinnamon sugar.
Toss dough pieces in the sugar mixture, working in small batches.
Step 5. Fill bundt pan.
Arrange coated pieces evenly in the prepared pan.
Step 6. Make sauce.
Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in brown sugar and vanilla, then pour over dough.
Step 7. Bake.
Bake uncovered for 45 minutes until golden and baked through.
Step 8. Flip.
Cool for 10 minutes, then place a plate over the bundt pan, flip, and remove pan.
Step 9. Make drizzle.
Microwave cream cheese until softened, stir in icing until smooth.
Step 10. Drizzle & serve.
Pour over warm monkey bread and enjoy!
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store cooled monkey bread in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then add the drizzle before serving.
How to Reheat
- Microwave: Reheat individual slices for about 1 minute at 50% power. This helps warm it evenly without overheating or drying out.
- Room temperature: You can also enjoy it without reheating-it's delicious either way!
Frequently Asked Questions
It's like a mash-up of gooey cinnamon rolls and sticky buns-soft and fluffy in the center with caramelized edges and a creamy drizzle on top.
Yes! Bake and freeze up to 3 months in advance. Thaw overnight and add the cream cheese drizzle before serving.
No problem! You can make a quick drizzle with ½ cup powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream.
Absolutely. You'll need about 24 ounces of dough. I’ve even thought about trying this with my strawberry cinnamon rolls recipe too!
Flavor Variations & Extra Tips
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the brown sugar mixture for crunch.
- Sprinkle in a pinch of nutmeg for a holiday vibe.
- Try using orange-flavored cinnamon rolls for a citrus twist.
- Add small dollops of softened cream cheese between layers of dough for an extra surprise inside.
Why This Recipe Works
- Faster than Homemade Cinnamon Rolls - No kneading or rising time needed.
- Pull-Apart Fun - Guests can serve themselves easily.
- Great for Any Season - Cozy on a chilly morning or fun for a summer sleepover.
- Budget-Friendly Ingredients - Simple items you can find at any grocery store.
If you're looking for the ultimate easy cinnamon roll monkey bread recipe, this one is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it as a Christmas recipe, at brunch with friends, or whenever you need a warm and gooey cinnamon treat.
Similar Recipes to Make
Recipe
Monkey Bread Made with Cinnamon Rolls
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cans refrigerated cinnamon roll dough the 8-count cans
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup 1 stick salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- The icing from your cinnamon rolls should be 3 containers
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
Instructions
- Prepare your pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 12-cup bundt pan with non-stick baking spray.
- Mix the cinnamon and sugar. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
- Cut the cinnamon rolls. Separate the cinnamon rolls and cut each roll equally into 4 pieces.
- Toss to coat in the sugar. Add the pieces to the bowl with the cinnamon and sugar and toss gently to coat them all in the sugar mixture. Work in small batches for best results.
- Add to the pan. Arrange the coated cinnamon roll pieces in the bunt pan, making sure there are no large gaps.
- Make the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar and vanilla until smooth. While it's still warm, pour the butter mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces.
- Bake. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until completely baked through.
- Flip. Once baked, allow the monkey bread to cool slightly (about 10 minutes). Place a flat plate over the bundt pan and flip it over. Remove the pan from the top of your monkey bread and set it aside.
- Make the topping. In a small heat-safe bowl, melt the cream cheese in the microwave 10 seconds at a time on 50% power and stir in the icing that came with your cinnamon rolls until there are no longer any lumps.
- Drizzle and serve. Drizzle the cream cheese mixture over the cinnamon roll monkey bread and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Comments
No Comments