Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread (Print)

Fluffy cinnamon rolls baked together, coated in cinnamon sugar, finished with rich cream cheese glaze.

# Components:

→ Dough Components

01 - 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated cinnamon roll dough

→ Cinnamon Sugar Coating

02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ Butter Mixture

04 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
05 - 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

→ Cream Cheese Glaze

06 - Reserved icing from cinnamon rolls (approximately 1/3 cup)
07 - 2 oz cream cheese, softened
08 - 1 tablespoon milk

→ Optional Additions

09 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease a 10-inch bundt pan with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Open the refrigerated cinnamon roll dough cans. Reserve the icing for later use. Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters.
03 - In a large zip-top bag, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Add the quartered dough pieces, seal the bag, and shake until thoroughly coated.
04 - Evenly layer the cinnamon sugar-coated dough pieces into the prepared bundt pan.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and light brown sugar until well combined.
06 - Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture evenly over the dough pieces distributed in the bundt pan.
07 - Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top surface is golden brown and the dough is fully cooked.
08 - Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate to unmold.
09 - While the monkey bread cools, prepare the glaze by beating together the reserved cinnamon roll icing, softened cream cheese, and milk until smooth.
10 - Drizzle the prepared cream cheese glaze over the warm monkey bread just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour from start to finish
  • Uses convenient refrigerated dough that tastes homemade
  • Perfect make-ahead option for holiday breakfasts
  • Creates an impressive centerpiece with minimal effort
02 -
  • Can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning
  • Doubles as both breakfast and dessert
  • Feeds a crowd with minimal effort
  • Each bite offers the perfect balance of soft interior and caramelized exterior
03 -
  • For the ultimate caramel flavor, use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar in the butter mixture.
  • When adding the butter mixture, pour it slowly around the pan rather than in one spot to ensure even distribution.
  • If your monkey bread browns too quickly on top but isn't fully cooked inside, tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time to prevent burning.
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