This cinnamon roll monkey bread is a great way to serve up a breakfast that looks and tastes impressive. Serve it up for dessert or breakfast in the morning, and you're sure to have everyone asking for more.
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If you have never tried canned cinnamon rolls made this way, do not wait. You might be missing out on something truly special.
While Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are always delicious, sometimes you want something quicker and easier. This recipe is ready in under an hour, compared to our Clone of a Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Recipe, which can take over three hours. Both are gooey, cinnamon filled, and absolutely worth making.
Cinnamon roll monkey bread is comfort food at its best. Soft, doughy bites are coated in warm cinnamon sugar and finished with a generous drizzle of icing, creating the perfect balance of flavors in every bite.
For more cinnamon roll inspiration, check out our Cinnamon Roll Apple Cobbler, Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls, and Oreo Cinnamon Rolls.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Buzz From Readers
"Absolutely delicious!!! My daughter said this is "elite" monkey bread. Our new go-to recipe for sure!"
- Jennifer
💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Different but delicious. Made with maple syrup, cinnamon rolls, butter, and extra cinnamon, this breakfast bake is rich, flavorful, and wonderfully moist.
- Perfect for sharing. Each slice cuts cleanly, yet pulls apart easily for a warm, shareable cinnamon breakfast everyone will love. For a seasonal twist, try our Cinnamon Roll Intestines.
- Simple ingredients. Just canned cinnamon rolls and a few pantry staples come together for big flavor with an easy, stress free shopping list.
🛒 Ingredients
Canned cinnamon rolls- Use your favorite canned cinnamon rolls for the perfect experience. Note that you will also need the icing packets from within the can.
Sugars- You will need granulated sugar as well as brown sugar to make the glaze that holds this pull apart together.
Cinnamon- For added warmth of spice, add in some ground cinnamon. You can never have too much cinnamon.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Watch for refrigerated dough sales. Cinnamon rolls often go on sale around holidays and weekends. Stocking up then can significantly lower the cost of this recipe.
Stretch the icing. You may not need all the icing packets, which helps prevent waste and keeps the sweetness from becoming overpowering.
Choose the pan you have. This recipe works in a variety of baking dishes, so there's no need to buy a bundt pan just for this bake.
🥄 Instructions for Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and grease your bundt pan well with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Step 2: Remove your cinnamon rolls from the cans and chop each one into quarter-sized pieces (Image 1).
Step 3: Add your granulated sugar and cinnamon to a mixing bowl (Image 2).
Step 4: Whisk together to combine (Image 3).
Step 5: Add in the chopped cinnamon rolls (Image 4).
Step 6: Toss well to coat evenly (Image 5).
Step 7: In a small saucepan on the stove, melt together the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and maple syrup (Image 6).
Step 8: Stir and melt together until the sugars have dissolved (Image 7).
Step 9: Add the coated cinnamon rolls to your bundt pan (Image 8).
Step 10: Pour the liquid over the top of the cinnamon rolls in the bundt pan (Image 9).
Step 11: Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the cinnamon rolls are no longer gooey in the center (Image 10).
Step 12: Let the pan rest for 5 minutes before flipping over onto a plate (Image 10).
Step 13: Snip the corner off of the icing packets and drizzle the icing over the top of the cinnamon roll bundt. You may not need all of the icings (Image 11).
Slice the cinnamon roll pull apart bread, and serve as desired.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Choose the right rolls. Use canned cinnamon rolls that unroll easily and have a true spiral shape, such as Pillsbury Grands, for the best look and flavor. Budget or premium options both work well.
- Rest, then flip. Let the monkey bread rest for about 10 minutes after baking so the syrup sets and the bread releases cleanly. Do not wait too long, or it may stick. If that happens, warm the pan briefly in a 350°F oven to help loosen it.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm the pan in the oven at 300°F until heated through.
Make Ahead: Assemble the monkey bread the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking as directed.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Cinnamon roll monkey bread pairs well with fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, crispy bacon or sausage, and scrambled eggs for a balanced breakfast or brunch spread.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
This monkey bread recipe is best when eaten the same day but can last up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
You can use bread loaf pans, a muffin tray, an 8x8 or 9x9 square baking dish, or even a 9x13 baking dish in a pinch. The baking times will vary for all the pans so I recommend starting at 15 minutes in the oven and then checking and adding 5 minutes at a time as needed. You'll know it's finished baking when the tops are crisp and bubbly and the centers are no longer gooey.
No. I do not recommend placing it in the fridge unless specified, as the fridge will cause the syrups and sugars to harden and could make the bread dry out too.
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🐝 If you tried this Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cans (12.5 ounces) cinnamon rolls, icing packets reserved - ($6.72)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - ($0.16)
- ½ cup granulated sugar - ($0.18)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted - ($0.99)
- ¼ cup brown sugar - ($0.11)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.03)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 1 teaspoon maple extract - ($0.04)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F and generously grease a bundt pan with nonstick spray.
- Cut: Remove the cinnamon rolls from the cans and cut each roll into quarters.
- Coat: In a large bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Add the quartered cinnamon rolls and toss until evenly coated.
- Assemble: Transfer the coated cinnamon rolls to the prepared bundt pan.
- Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour: Carefully pour the butter mixture evenly over the cinnamon rolls.
- Bake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the center is set and no longer gooey.
- Rest: Let the monkey bread rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully flip onto a serving plate.
- Finish: Snip the corner of the icing packets and drizzle over the top. You may not need all of the icing.
- Serve: Pull apart or slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Cinnamon rolls: Use roll-up style cinnamon rolls, such as Grands, for best texture and structure.
- Flipping: Let the bread rest briefly, but do not wait too long to flip or it may stick. If needed, warm the pan in the oven for 5 minutes to loosen.
- Storage: Best enjoyed the same day, but leftovers can be stored airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigeration to prevent drying.
- Pan options: This recipe also works in loaf pans, muffin tins, 8x8 or 9x9 pans, or a 9x13 dish. Start checking for doneness at 15 minutes and add time as needed. Look for a bubbly top and a fully set center.
Nutritional Information
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Jennifer says
Absolutely delicious!!! My daughter said this is “elite” monkey bread. Our new go-to recipe for sure!
Nicole Durham says
This is such a high praise comment. I'm so glad you and your daughter loved it!