Homestyle Cinnamon Swirl Monkey Bread
Soft, buttery dough pieces twisted with cinnamon and baked into a pull-apart bread perfect for sharing any time of day. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 125 minutes combines all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk warm
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tsp salt. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup warm whole milk, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, and 2 large eggs.
- Step 2: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 3: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Step 4: While dough rises, mix 1/2 cup brown sugar with 2 tbsp ground cinnamon in a bowl.
- Step 5: After rising, roll dough into a large rectangle about 12x16 inches. Spread 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
- Step 6: Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 1-inch pieces. Arrange the pieces in a greased 9-inch bundt pan.
- Step 7: Cover and let rise for 30 minutes, then bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 8: Cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a plate to enjoy pull-apart cinnamon bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Homestyle Cinnamon Swirl Monkey Bread take to make?
Total time is about 125 minutes (90 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.
How do I store leftover Homestyle Cinnamon Swirl Monkey Bread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Can I substitute ingredients in Homestyle Cinnamon Swirl Monkey Bread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Homestyle Cinnamon Swirl Monkey Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Homestyle Cinnamon Swirl Monkey Bread?
American breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
