Sticky, gooey, and irresistibly sweet, Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze is a comforting pull-apart treat that brings people together. Whether it’s the centerpiece at brunch, a nostalgic dessert, or a cozy weekend baking project, this cinnamon-sugar loaded bread has a way of vanishing within minutes of hitting the table.
Each bite-sized piece is coated in buttery cinnamon goodness, baked until golden, then drizzled with a smooth, rich vanilla glaze that melts into every crevice. Made with simple ingredients and a bundt pan, this monkey bread delivers that soft, caramelized texture without complicated steps.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze
- Perfect for sharing: It pulls apart easily, making it great for family gatherings or parties.
- Beginner-friendly: No need for yeast or homemade dough when using biscuit dough.
- Customizable: You can add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or even a boozy glaze.
- Smells like a dream: Your kitchen will be filled with the warm aroma of cinnamon and vanilla.
- Crowd-pleaser: Kids and adults alike won’t be able to resist going back for seconds (or thirds).
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
Essential Tools and Equipment:
- Bundt Pan: This ensures the bread cooks evenly and creates that classic monkey bread shape with crispy edges and a soft center.
- Mixing Bowls: For tossing the dough in cinnamon-sugar and combining glaze ingredients.
- Ziploc Bag or Bowl: To evenly coat the dough pieces in cinnamon sugar without mess.
- Saucepan: Ideal for melting butter and brown sugar together into a caramel-like coating.
- Spatula or Spoon: To drizzle the final vanilla glaze smoothly over the top.
These tools help streamline the process and guarantee you get perfectly coated and baked pull-apart bread with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients for the Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: The base of the bread, these dough pieces puff up into soft, pull-apart bites.
- Granulated Sugar: Mixed with cinnamon to coat each piece with sweet warmth.
- Cinnamon: The signature spice that gives monkey bread its iconic flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds rich, molasses-like sweetness and helps form a gooey caramel sauce.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted with brown sugar to coat the dough, giving it that buttery texture.
- Powdered Sugar: Used for the smooth vanilla glaze drizzled on top.
- Vanilla Extract: Essential for flavoring the glaze with aromatic depth.
- Milk or Heavy Cream: Thins the glaze to a pourable consistency while adding creaminess.
How To Make the Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your bundt pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Cut and Coat the Dough
Cut each biscuit into quarters. In a Ziploc bag, mix cinnamon and sugar, then toss in the dough pieces. Shake until fully coated.
Step 3: Layer and Sauce
Melt the butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan to create a caramel-like sauce. Layer the coated dough pieces in the bundt pan and pour the warm sauce evenly over the top.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is fully cooked. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
Step 5: Add the Vanilla Glaze
In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or cream until smooth. Drizzle generously over the warm monkey bread and let it ooze into all the nooks.
Serving and Storing Your Monkey Bread
Monkey bread is best served warm, right out of the oven when it’s gooey and soft. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or cold milk. If you’re entertaining, place it in the center of the table and let everyone pull apart pieces.
To store leftovers, cover with foil or place in an airtight container. It will keep at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5. Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore its gooey texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when the monkey bread is fully baked?
Check the top for a golden brown color and ensure the dough in the center is no longer raw. You can insert a skewer or knife near the middle to test doneness.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the monkey bread the night before, cover it, and refrigerate. Bring it to room temperature before baking.
What if I don’t have a bundt pan?
You can use a tube pan or even a loaf pan, though baking time may vary. Just make sure it’s deep enough for rising.
Can I freeze monkey bread?
Absolutely. Bake and cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
Can I use homemade dough instead of biscuits?
Of course! Any soft yeast dough will work. Just allow extra time for rising if needed.
Want More Dessert Ideas with a Twist?
If you loved this Monkey Bread, check out some of these irresistible options from the Kitchen by Kate collection:
- Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake for a decadent fusion of two favorites.
- Winter Brittle for a crisp, seasonal crunch.
- Brown Sugar Maple Cookies with the warmth of fall in every bite.
- Amish Applesauce Cake when you’re craving old-fashioned comfort.
- Strawberry Cheesecake Dump Cake for a no-fuss fruity favorite.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you sneak in chocolate chips? Add a hint of nutmeg? Or maybe made it with homemade dough?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other bake smarter!
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Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Homemade Monkey Bread With Vanilla Glaze is the ultimate pull-apart dessert, coated in cinnamon sugar, drenched in buttery caramel, and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting dessert. Try this no-yeast, quick and delicious monkey bread recipe today!
Ingredients
2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Cut each biscuit into four equal pieces.
3. In a large Ziploc bag or bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Add the dough pieces and toss or shake until fully coated.
4. Layer the coated dough evenly in the bundt pan.
5. In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until combined and smooth. Pour the sauce evenly over the dough.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden and fully cooked through. Let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
7. Invert the monkey bread onto a serving plate.
8. For the glaze: In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed) until smooth and pourable.
9. Drizzle glaze over the warm monkey bread and serve immediately.
Notes
Let the monkey bread rest 10 minutes before flipping to avoid it falling apart.
You can add chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips between layers for extra texture.
Make sure your glaze is pourable but not too thin—add milk slowly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg

