This fun and tasty Maple Bacon Monkey Bread is all about soft, gooey pieces of dough wrapped around crispy bacon and drizzled with sweet maple syrup. What’s not to love?
It’s perfect for breakfast or brunch, and you can even have it for dessert if you’re feeling cheeky! I like to pull apart the pieces and enjoy the mix of salty and sweet—it’s just so good!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: Refrigerated biscuit dough is key to making this monkey bread fluffy and easy. If you prefer a homemade touch, you can make your own biscuit dough from scratch, or use crescent roll dough for a different flavor and texture.
Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a wonderful flavor. You could try turkey bacon or even a plant-based bacon for a lighter or vegetarian option, though the taste will be slightly different.
Maple Syrup: Always go for pure maple syrup if you can; it makes a huge difference in taste. In a pinch, you can use maple-flavored syrup or even honey for a unique twist.
Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar provides that deep sweetness. You could substitute it with coconut sugar for a less refined option, or use white sugar mixed with molasses for similar flavor.
Cinnamon: This gives the bread warmth and spice. If cinnamon isn’t your thing, you could switch it out for nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a different flavor profile.
How Do I Make Sure My Monkey Bread is Perfectly Cooked?
Getting the cooking just right is important for gooey monkey bread. Here’s how:
- Preheating the oven is crucial—this ensures even cooking right from the start.
- Check the texture after 40 minutes. If it’s golden brown but a toothpick comes out sticky, it needs more time. However, keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
- If the top gets too brown, especially before the inside is fully cooked, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning while allowing thorough cooking.
- Letting it cool for 10 minutes in the pan before flipping allows it to set but makes it soft enough to pull apart easily!
With these tips, your Maple Bacon Monkey Bread will be a delicious success! Happy baking!
Maple Bacon Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Monkey Bread:
- 3 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 lb bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
- 1 cup pure maple syrup (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Time Needed:
This delicious Maple Bacon Monkey Bread will take about 15 minutes to prep and 40-45 minutes to bake, plus a bit of cooling time. In total, you should set aside about 1 hour for making and enjoying this delightful treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Oven and Bundt Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grease a bundt pan very well with butter or non-stick spray—this helps the monkey bread come out easily later.
2. Cut the Biscuit Dough:
Open the cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. This will make them easy to pull apart and mix with the other ingredients.
3. Mix the Sugar and Spices:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. This sugary blend will coat the biscuit pieces and give them a sweet flavor.
4. Coat the Biscuit Pieces:
Add the quartered biscuit pieces to the sugar mixture. Gently toss the pieces until they are evenly coated in the sugary goodness.
5. Layer the Dough and Bacon:
Layer half of the coated biscuit pieces into the bottom of the greased bundt pan. Next, sprinkle half of the chopped bacon over this layer for that crunchy, savory flavor. Then, add the remaining biscuit pieces on top and sprinkle the rest of the bacon over everything. Yum!
6. Prepare the Maple Syrup Mixture:
In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and stir in the maple syrup until well combined. This syrup will soak into the biscuit layers and make them delicious!
7. Assemble the Monkey Bread:
Pour the maple butter syrup evenly over all the layers in the bundt pan, making sure everything is well-coated.
8. Bake the Monkey Bread:
Pop the bundt pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. You want the top to be golden brown and a knife inserted into the bread to come out clean. If the top browns too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
9. Cool and Invert:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This cooling time helps it set up a bit before you flip it out.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Carefully invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate to release the monkey bread. Drizzle with more maple syrup if you like. For a little extra sweetness, you can also dust it with powdered sugar. Serve it warm and let everyone pull apart the gooey pieces to enjoy the delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors!
Enjoy your irresistible Maple Bacon Monkey Bread!
Can I Use Frozen Biscuit Dough Instead?
Yes, you can use frozen biscuit dough! Just make sure to thaw it completely before cutting it into quarters. Follow the same steps as with refrigerated dough for the best results.
How Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
You can use gluten-free biscuit dough available in stores or make your own from gluten-free flour blends. Just ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the recipe.
Can I Prepare This Monkey Bread Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the monkey bread the night before and refrigerate it. Just cover the bundt pan tightly with plastic wrap. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the microwave for a few seconds or in the oven at low heat until warmed through. Enjoy the gooeyness again!