Monkey Bread Muffins
These monkey bread muffins are delicious, easy to make, and kid-friendly. These muffins are great to eat any time of year and would make the perfect Christmas morning breakfast!
It’s been a while since I sat down to write a blog post. Sometimes it’s hard to get the words to flow and taking a short break was definitely what I needed. But, I’m glad to be back and sharing this easy and delicious recipe with you all!
Sometimes I have a hard time coming up with recipes to share. I mean there’s a million different things I could cook or bake, but for some reason, there are times when I just feel like I can’t think of anything. But when I saw some buttermilk biscuits at the store over Thanksgiving break, it inspired me to make these monkey bread muffins.
Growing up, it was almost guaranteed that we had buttermilk biscuits in our fridge. Whenever we were craving something sweet, but didn’t want to have to make a trip out of the house, my mom would always make monkey bread for us to eat. Not only was it quick to make and delicious, but it was easy enough that we could help too. I still remember making this in the kitchen with my mom and sister all of the time.
I actually called my Mom to ask her if she had an actual recipe for the monkey bread we used to always make. Her response? “Yeah, it’s easy. Just cut up some biscuits, dip them in butter, roll them in brown sugar and cinnamon, and bake it.”
Oh ok, well thanks, Mom. But in all honesty, it really is that easy to make these monkey bread muffins. I’ve made it a little easier and actually measured out everything you will need.
Ingredients for This Recipe
Making pull apart monkey bread with biscuits requires very few ingredients. Here’s what goes into these muffins:
- Homestyle buttermilk biscuits: I used Pillsbury biscuits for this recipe.
- Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter since the amount of salt in salted butters can vary between different brands.
- Brown sugar: Sweetens the monkey bread and adds a slight caramel flavor.
- Cinnamon: Flavors the money bread muffins.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Used to sweeten the glaze.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Milk: Any kind of milk is fine. You may need to add a little more milk to the glaze than the recipe calls for to achieve the correct consistency.
How to Make Monkey Bread Muffins
To start, you’ll want to cut up each biscuit into six equal size pieces. I used Pillsbury brand homestyle buttermilk biscuits which has eight biscuits per can, so I ended up with 48 pieces total.
After you roll up each piece of dough, you’ll dip it into the melted butter, and then into the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. You can be generous with the sugar and cinnamon as well. Depending on how much you use, you may need a little extra.
Then you’ll press four pieces of dough into each muffin cavity and bake. Easy, right? The dough will rise quite a bit in the oven as well.
These monkey bread muffins with canned biscuits are perfect for breakfast (Christmas morning breakfast, anyone?!) or even for a sweet treat.
Storage Instructions
Leftover monkey bread muffins can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days. You may also freeze them for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or freezer-friendly storage container. Thaw to room temperature before serving.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Easily! Simply double the ingredients list and use two muffins tins instead of one.
Baking Tips
- Monkey bread is sometimes baked with a butter and brown sugar mixture (or caramel sauce) added on top. You can definitely feel free to add one if you prefer. I kept these simple and just added a simple glaze to them, because who doesn’t love a little extra sugar?
- You can likely use gluten-free biscuits and achieve the same results.
- Feel free to add extra spices to the cinnamon-sugar mixture to amp up the flavor. I bet pumpkin pie spice would taste delicious here too!
More Holiday Breakfast Recipes to Try!
- Pumpkin Scones
- The BEST French Toast
- Apple Turnovers
- Classic Buttermilk Pancakes
- Apple French Toast Casserole
Monkey Bread Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 (16.3 oz.) can homestyle buttermilk biscuits (I used Pillsbury)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup (200 grams) light or dark brown sugar
- 1.5 - 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) milk (or more as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray each muffin cavity of a 12-count muffin pan well with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
- Open the can of buttermilk biscuits and cut each biscuit in half, then cut each half into thirds. You want a total of 6 equal size pieces from each biscuit. Roll each piece of biscuit dough into a ball.
- Dip each piece of dough into the melted butter, making sure to shake off any excess butter. Roll each piece of dough in the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture, you can be very generous with the sugar. You may need a little extra brown sugar and cinnamon depending on how much you use.
- Press four pieces of the sugar covered dough into each muffin cavity. If you have any of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture left, you can sprinkle it evenly over the top of each one.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes and remove from the oven. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes and then remove from the pan.
- While the muffins are cooling, whisk together the confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and milk until well combined.
- Drizzle the glaze evenly over all of the muffins. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
How do you think these would be if I froze them?
I would have to thaw and serve. Thank You!
They will freeze fine for up to 3 months! You can thaw them to room temperature or reheat in 20 to 30 second intervals in the microwave.
How many muffin get if DOUBLE the recipe and not add glaze?
You will get 24.
What about muffin liners?
It’s fine to use muffin liners.
Looks easy and delicious! Can I add raisins or nuts? Both?
Yes, that would be fine! You could just sprinkle them on top right before baking.
Made recipe as printed. Very good. 2nd batch I used a little cardamom and sugar. Glazed w/ orange-powder sugar. Very good, I am experiencing to make Swedish style rolls.