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Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

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Is it dessert or breakfast? This Easy Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is easy to make with only 10 minutes prep and tastes amazing!

cinnamon roll monkey bread on white cake stand

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I would like to take a moment to apologize if you might be on a diet or maybe trying to lose a few pounds….because this most definitely is NOT the recipe for you.  I know, because I have been trying to eat cleaner lately and then I made this last week to post on the blog and it was literally painful not to eat the entire thing.  

It’s good y’all.  Really good.  And so darn easy to make too.  

It’s like the entire universe aligned to make this one beautiful ooey gooey Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread just to make your mouth water.  My mouth is watering just writing this and remembering how delicious it was!!

The entire recipe started because I noticed on a recent grocery trip Pillsbury Grands® Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Dough in the refrigerator section, already made and it came with icing or cream cheese frosting.  

I had already planned to share another Monkey Bread recipe this month but I got to thinking that I could use that dough to make a Cinnamon Roll version and oh I’m so glad I did!

Ingredients

  • Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Dough (along with frosting included)
  • cinnamon
  • sugar
  • brown sugar
  • butter
  • maple syrup
Cinnamon Bun Monkey Bread with frosting

Step by step

  1. Generously grease your bundt pan.
  2. Divide each of the premade cinnamon rolls into two and roll each half into a ball.
  3. Toss those dough balls into a gallon plastic bag as you make them.  
  4. When you’re finished, pour 1 cup of sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon into the bag, close it and shake it up to coat the dough.
  5. Place the coated dough balls into a greased bundt pan.  
  6. In a bowl , microwave 1 stick of butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for one minute.  Stir until uniform and pour over the dough mixture.  
  7. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until the inner dough is baked through and the outside is a deep golden brown.  
  8. Allow to cool five minutes before inverting onto a plate and topping with frosting.
Cinnamon Bun Monkey bread close up

Tips for best results

  • Allow the monkey bread to cool for 5 minutes before inverting but don’t allow it to cool too long as the syrup will harden in the pan and make it difficult to remove.

FAQs

Does monkey bread need to be refrigerated?

If you by the Pillsbury Grands with regular icing you can store covered at room temperature. If you opt for the cream cheese frosting it will need to be stored in the refrigerator.

Can I make this ahead of time?

I’d recommend prepping the dough in the bundt pan ahead of time and waiting until you are ready to serve to add the syrup and bake. This monkey bread tastes its best fresh from the oven.

Can you freeze cinnamon roll monkey bread?

While this bread tastes best fresh and I don’t recommend freezing it, you can freeze the monkey bread in a freezer safe container up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and microwave to serve warm. Be forewarned, the texture and taste will be diminished after freezing.

Variations

  • add chopped pecans, raisins, or chopped apples
  • make in a loaf pan, casserole dish, or in a muffin tin (baking time will vary)
  • top with caramel sauce instead of icing
  • top with powdered sugar
  • add chocolate chips
  • top with maple syrup and whipped cream
  • dip into the icing instead of adding it on top

You might also like this Baklava Monkey Bread or Apple French Toast Bake.

If you’ve tried this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

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close up of cinnamon roll monkey bread

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

Description

Is it dessert or breakfast? This Easy Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is easy to make with only 10 minutes prep and tastes amazing!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 packages Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls with frosting
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously spray a bundt pan with nonstick spray.
  2. Divide each of the premade cinnamon rolls into two and roll each half into a ball.
  3. Toss those dough balls into a gallon plastic bag as you make them.
  4. When you’re finished, pour 1 cup of sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon into the bag, close it and shake it up to coat the dough.
  5. Place the coated dough balls into a greased bundt pan.
  6. In a bowl, microwave 1 stick of butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of maple sugar for one minute.
  7. Stir until uniform and pour over the dough mixture.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the inner dough is baked through and the outside is a deep golden brown.
  9. Allow to cool five minutes before inverting onto a plate and topping with frosting.

Notes

Allow the monkey bread to cool for 5 minutes before inverting but don’t allow it to cool too long as the syrup will harden in the pan and make it difficult to remove.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 196
  • Sugar: 21.7 g
  • Sodium: 348.9 mg
  • Fat: 5.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36.2 g
  • Protein: 1.9 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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14 Comments

  1. I try to have at least one for the house and one for church fellowship they love itadded nuts to the pouring mixture really great thankyou for giving me a reason to buy refrigerated cinnamon rolls

  2. Hi Melissa, if I wanted to add apples to this would I add chunky applesauce, Apple pie filling, or fresh apples? If you think it would work should the timing in the oven be adjusted?
    Thanks, keep your yummy recipes coming.

    1. I’m guessing here but I would probably try finely diced fresh apples without adjusting the cook time. If you try it please come back and let me know how it turned out, I’m curious!!

    1. I haven’t tried that Carmelinda because it’s just so easy to toss together in less than 10 minutes! Sorry not to be more help, if you try it please come back and let me know how it turns out! ~Melissa

    1. I’d just do this:
      2/3 cup sugar
      2/3 tbsp cinnamon
      2/3 stick butter
      1/3 cup brown sugar
      1 1/3 tbsp maple syrup

  3. What is maple sugar? and where will I find it? in my grocery store? want to make this recipe for Christmas morning breakfast. Thanks.

    1. Oh my goodness Wanda-I typed maple sugar instead of maple syrup!! I can’t believe that! I’ve updated the post to correct it-so sorry!

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