This Easter Brunch Monkey Bread is a fun and sweet treat! It’s made with flaky dough, cinnamon, and sugar, all baked to golden perfection.
Whenever I make this monkey bread, I love serving it warm with a drizzle of icing on top. It makes breakfast feel extra special without much fuss!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: The main ingredient, refrigerated biscuit dough, is super convenient! If you don’t have it, you can make your own using a simple flour, baking powder, milk, and butter mix, or even use crescent roll dough for a different texture.
Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness to the dough. If you’re looking to reduce sugar, you can replace half with a sugar alternative that measures like sugar, such as monk fruit sweetener.
Cinnamon: Essential for that warm flavor, but feel free to experiment with pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg for a twist!
Butter: While I always use real butter for the best flavor, you can use margarine or a plant-based butter if you’re dairy-free.
Brown Sugar: It adds richness and moisture. If you’re out, you can make your own by mixing granulated sugar with a bit of molasses. Just 1 tablespoon of molasses per cup of sugar will do the trick.
How Do I Ensure My Monkey Bread Turns Out Perfectly?
The key to a great monkey bread lies in how you prepare the biscuit dough and the baking process. Start by preheating your oven and greasing your pan well to prevent sticking.
- Cut the biscuit dough into quarters and toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Make sure they are completely coated for the best flavor.
- Layer those pieces gently in the pan. Don’t rush—this helps them bake evenly.
- For the butter-brown sugar mixture, melt it slowly to prevent scorching. Stir until bubbly, then pour evenly over the dough.
- Keep an eye on the baking time. Every oven is different, so check for that golden brown top and a cooked middle.
Let the bread cool a bit before inverting it to keep its shape! Enjoy the warm, gooey bites with a drizzle of your homemade glaze.

How to Make Easter Brunch Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans (12.4 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Decoration:
- Colored Easter eggs or candy eggs for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful monkey bread takes about 15 minutes to prep and 30-35 minutes to bake, plus a bit of cooling time. In total, you’re looking at roughly 1 hour to have it ready for serving. A simple and tasty treat to brighten your Easter brunch!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grease a bundt pan or a round tube pan thoroughly to ensure your monkey bread doesn’t stick.
2. Preparing the Biscuit Dough:
Open the cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and slice each biscuit into quarters. In a large bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon, creating a sweet coating for the dough.
3. Coating the Biscuit Pieces:
Add the quartered biscuit pieces to the bowl with the cinnamon sugar. Toss them gently until they are evenly coated in sweetness. It’s okay to get a little messy here—just make sure every piece is covered!
4. Layering the Dough:
Now, take the coated biscuit pieces and layer them evenly in the prepared pan. This will create delightful chunks of cinnamon goodness once baked.
5. Making the Butter Mixture:
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth and bubbly, then remove it from the heat.
6. Combining the Layers:
Gently pour the warm butter and brown sugar mixture over the biscuit pieces in the pan, making sure to distribute it evenly so every bite is full of flavor.
7. Baking the Monkey Bread:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You want the top to be golden brown and the dough to be cooked through, so keep an eye on it towards the end!
8. Cooling and Inverting:
Once done, take the monkey bread out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it set a bit. After that, carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
9. Preparing the Glaze:
While the bread is cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable. Adjust the milk to achieve your desired consistency.
10. Glazing the Bread:
Once the monkey bread is slightly warm, drizzle the glaze generously over the top. It’s going to look and taste amazing!
11. Decorating for Easter:
If you’d like, you can add some festive flair by decorating the serving plate with colored Easter eggs or candy eggs around the monkey bread to make it extra special for your gathering.
12. Serving Up the Joy:
Finally, serve warm! Pull apart pieces to enjoy the sweet, gooey goodness, and watch your friends and family smile with delight!
This Easter Brunch Monkey Bread is sure to be a hit at any gathering, offering delicious flavors and a touch of fun for the holiday!
Can I Use a Different Type of Bread Instead of Biscuit Dough?
Yes! You can use crescent roll dough or even homemade dough if you’re feeling adventurous. Just make sure they are cut into similar-sized pieces to ensure even baking!
How Should I Store Leftover Monkey Bread?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. Just remember to reheat it gently in the microwave or oven before serving!
Can I Add Other Ingredients to the Monkey Bread?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix in some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit for added flavor and texture. Just make sure not to overcrowd the dough pieces.
What If My Monkey Bread Sticks to the Pan?
If your monkey bread sticks, it might be due to insufficient greasing of the pan. Make sure to coat every nook and cranny well. If it does stick, run a butter knife around the edges to help release it before inverting.
