Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe (Small Batch Recipe)

If you love the taste of monkey bread, but making an entire loaf or cake pan of the classic breakfast treat is simply too much, then you are going to love this Monkey Bread Muffins recipe. It is a great way to enjoy cinnamon sugar pull apart bread in individual servings.

With the convenience of store-bought yeast dinner rolls, this recipe comes together with very little effort. Simply cut the dough into small pieces and drench them in a butter and then in a sugar cinnamon mixture.

Pop the pieces in a muffin tin and when they rise they are ready to go in the oven. Once they are ready enjoy them as is, or drizzle them with a simple homemade icing for an extra sweet treat.

Serve these muffins for breakfast, brunch, dessert or as a snack any time of the day. I now even include them as part of our Easter brunch menu along with Carrot Cake Cupcakes.

And on special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day they are a welcome treat first thing in the morning.

What Is Monkey Bread?

Monkey bread is a type of sweet, sticky, and gooey pastry. It is typically made by baking small, individual pieces of dough coated in sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes nuts. The dough pieces are often layered in a bundt pan or a large baking dish.

As the bread bakes, the sugar and butter mixture caramelizes, creating a deliciously sweet and sticky coating on the exterior of the dough balls. Its name stems from the idea that people can pull apart the pieces of bread with their hands, much like a monkey might eat.

It can be made using various types of dough, such as biscuit dough, sweet yeast dough, or even homemade bread dough. It can even be prepared as an Overnight Monkey Bread and then put in the oven to bake in the morning.

Monkey bread and Monkey Bread Muffins have a variety of textures, with the outer layer being crispy and caramelized, while the inside remains soft and doughy. It is a popular treat for a large family breakfast, brunch, or dessert. And it is most often intended to be shared with family and friends.

There are many variations of monkey bread recipes, which can include additional ingredients like raisins, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of icing for added flavor and sweetness. However this recipe keeps it quick, easy and simple.

Ingredients Needed

Frozen Yeast Dinner Rolls – For this recipe I used the classic frozen dough balls that I use to make make dinner rolls for our holiday dinners. These rolls are yeast based and require a rise time before they go in the oven.

You can find the rolls in the freezer section of your grocery store. They are most often found in a large plastic bag with individual dough balls stacked on top of each other.

I most often find them near the frozen garlic bread, but sometimes they are stocked near the frozen pie crust or frozen pasta.

You will need 4 frozen dough balls to make 4 Monkey Bread Muffins. However in order to get those classic pull apart layers, each roll will be cut into 6 smaller pieces.

Butter – Unsalted melted butter is used to coat the pieces of dough so that the cinnamon sugar seasoning can stick to the surface.

Light Corn Syrup – In order to get the classic sticky component to the bread add a little light corn syrup. If you prefer not to use corn syrup use only butter instead. You won’t have that sticky texture, but it will still be delicious.

Light Brown Sugar – Instead of granulated sugar, use light brown sugar to make your cinnamon sugar mixture. The brown sugar will caramelize as it bakes and will make the muffins even more delicious.

Ground Cinnamon – The spice that provides the muffins with all the flavor. I have also used a little nutmeg and apple pie spice and they all provide amazing flavor.

Optional Icing Ingredients

Although not absolutely required, Monkey Bread Muffins are even better when you drizzle a little icing on top. This simple recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes thanks to a few simple ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen.

• Powdered Sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

How To Make Monkey Bread Muffins

1. Cut each roll into 6 pieces with a pair of scissors. You will need to let the frozen rolls thaw out a bit before doing so. However make sure that the rolls are still cold so that they are easier to cut.

2. Combine the melted butter and light corn syrup in a small bowl. In another bowl add the brown sugar and cinnamon.

3. Coat the dough pieces in the butter mixture. Then place them in cinnamon sugar bowl and toss until completely coated.

4. Place 6 pieces of dough into a well sprayed or lined muffin cup. Repeat until 4 cups are filled.

5. Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Let the dough rise until double in size. *Depending on the heat of your kitchen this may take 1-2 hours.

6. Cook in a preheated oven set to 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes.

7. Rest in the pan for 3-4 minutes before removing from the pan.

8. Drizzle icing on top if desired.

Monkey Bread Muffins Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 frozen yeast dinner rolls, thawed but still cold (I use Rhodes brand)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Icing Ingredients (optional)

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut each thawed, but still cold dinner roll into 6 equal size pieces. In a shallow bowl, mix the melted butter with the light corn syrup and stir until well combined. Set aside.

In another bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon and mix until well combined. Set aside.

Place 6 pieces of the rolls into the butter mixture and coat on all sides. Then transfer the butter coated roll pieces into the cinnamon sugar mixture and toss to coat.

Place the 6 pieces in a cup of a muffin tin sprayed generously with non-stick cooking spray.

Repeat with remaining roll pieces.

Cover muffin pan with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Place the dish in a warm place so that the rolls can double in size.

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Remove wrap and place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the rolls are baked through.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the monkey bread muffins cool 3-4 minutes before carefully removing them from the pan.

(Optional): While the monkey bread cools slightly, combine the icing ingredients and mix. Add more or less milk so that the icing can be drizzled over the monkey bread.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy! Mary

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