Can you make monkey bread ahead? Absolutely! Monkey bread, also known as sticky bun or cinnamon roll, is a delightful breakfast or dessert that can be prepared in advance for a stress-free gathering or to enjoy whenever the craving strikes. This scrumptious treat, made of bread dough, butter, and a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture, is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress family and friends. In this article, we’ll explore how to make monkey bread ahead of time and share some tips to ensure your monkey bread turns out perfectly every time.
Monkey bread is traditionally made by rolling out a batch of cinnamon rolls, slicing them into pieces, and then coating them in a mixture of melted butter and sugar. The coated pieces are then baked in a bundt pan, creating a beautiful, gooey, and crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside dessert. The best part? You can prepare monkey bread ahead and simply reheat it before serving.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make monkey bread ahead:
1. Prepare the dough: Start by making your favorite cinnamon roll dough. You can use a store-bought dough or make your own from scratch. Allow the dough to rise until it’s doubled in size.
2. Roll and slice the dough: Once the dough has risen, roll it out into a large rectangle. Slice the dough into 1-inch pieces.
3. Mix the cinnamon sugar coating: In a bowl, combine melted butter with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. You can also add other flavors like nutmeg, vanilla extract, or chocolate chips for variety.
4. Coat the dough pieces: Toss the sliced dough pieces in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring they’re well-coated.
5. Layer the dough in the bundt pan: Begin by placing a few coated dough pieces in the bottom of a greased bundt pan. Continue layering the coated dough pieces, adding more butter and cinnamon sugar mixture between each layer.
6. Refrigerate the monkey bread: Cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate the monkey bread for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours. This step is crucial for ensuring the bread stays soft and gooey.
7. Bake the monkey bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the bundt pan and bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and puffed up.
8. Serve and enjoy: Allow the monkey bread to cool slightly before inverting it onto a serving plate. Drizzle with additional melted butter and powdered sugar if desired.
By making monkey bread ahead, you can save time and effort on the day of your event. Plus, you can ensure that the monkey bread is perfectly fresh and warm when it’s time to serve. Remember to keep an eye on the monkey bread while it’s baking, as it can easily overcook if left in the oven too long.
Monkey bread is a versatile dessert that can be customized to suit your taste. Feel free to experiment with different types of dough, cinnamon sugar ratios, and additional ingredients like nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips. No matter how you choose to make it, monkey bread is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So, the next time you’re wondering, “Can you make monkey bread ahead?” the answer is a resounding yes!
