These Monkey Bread Muffins are sweet, gooey treats that are perfect for breakfast or a snack! Made with buttery dough and covered in cinnamon sugar, they are totally irresistible.
They remind me of little bites of happiness! A tip? Don’t be shy with the gooey glaze on top—it’s the best part! I love sharing these warm, fluffy muffins with friends and family.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: The base of these muffins is refrigerated biscuit dough, which makes things easy! If you can’t find it, you can use homemade dough or even crescent roll dough for a twist.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is key for sweetness. If you’re looking to cut back, try using a sugar substitute like Stevia or Monk fruit sweetener, or reduce the overall amount slightly.
Ground Cinnamon: This spice gives the muffins that classic flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist!
Unsalted Butter: This is essential for richness. If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, try using plant-based butter or coconut oil instead.
Brown Sugar: It adds a nice caramel flavor. Light brown sugar works best, but you can substitute with brown sugar or adjust the ratio with extra granulated sugar for a sweeter taste. You might also use coconut sugar for a less processed option.
What’s the Best Way to Cut and Coat the Biscuit Dough?
Cuts and coating the biscuit dough can be tricky! Here’s a little strategy: start by using kitchen scissors to cut the biscuits into quarters. You’ll get less mess this way and keep pieces manageable for coating.
- After cutting, place the biscuit pieces into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Make sure they’re fully coated for that delicious sweetness.
- Toss them gently to ensure every piece gets a cinnamon-sugar hug!
- If you’re using thicker dough or if your dough pieces seem large, try halving them again to keep bite-sized consistency.
This method helps the muffins bake evenly and get that perfect gooey texture!
How to Make Monkey Bread Muffins
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Muffins:
- 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough (such as Pillsbury Grands)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon salt for deeper flavor
Time Needed:
This delicious Monkey Bread Muffins recipe takes about 10 minutes for prep and 20-25 minutes for baking. Plus, you’ll want to let them cool for about 5 minutes before serving. So, from start to finish, you’re looking at around 40 minutes to enjoy these sweet treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, line a muffin tin with paper liners or give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal!
2. Mix Sugar and Cinnamon:
In a medium bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. This blend is what will make our muffins sweet and flavorful, so give it a good stir and set it aside.
3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough:
Open the cans of biscuit dough carefully. Separate each biscuit and cut them into quarters. Don’t worry if they’re a bit messy; that’s part of the fun! Just try to make them all about the same size for even baking.
4. Coat the Biscuit Pieces:
Toss those lovely quarters in the sugar and cinnamon mixture until they are well-coated. Make sure every piece gets some of that yummy goodness!
5. Fill the Muffin Tin:
Evenly place the coated biscuit pieces into your muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full, but don’t overfill. You want them to have room to puff up and get nice and fluffy!
6. Make the Brown Sugar Topping:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes until it’s smooth and bubbly. Remove it from the heat and, if you like, add in the vanilla extract for extra flavor!
7. Spoon the Mixture Over the Muffins:
Spoon the warm brown sugar and butter mixture evenly over each muffin cup, ensuring every muffin gets a delicious topping!
8. Bake to Perfection:
Pop the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean!
9. Cool and Serve:
Once they’re baked, let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, use a knife to gently loosen the edges and invert the muffins onto a serving plate—be careful, they might be hot!
10. Enjoy Every Bite!
Serve the monkey bread muffins warm and let everyone pull apart those sticky, gooey pieces. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a sweet snack! Enjoy!
Can I Use a Different Type of Dough?
Absolutely! While refrigerated biscuit dough is traditional, you can use homemade dough or crescent roll dough for a different twist. Just ensure the dough is rolled out thin enough to cut easily.
What Should I Do if My Muffins Are Sticking to the Pan?
If your muffins are sticking, make sure you’ve either lined the muffin tin with paper liners or generously greased it with nonstick spray. Letting them cool for a few minutes before attempting to remove them also helps!
How to Store Leftover Muffins?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them, but remember to warm them up in the microwave or oven for that gooey texture!
Can I Add Other Ingredients to the Muffins?
Definitely! You can mix in nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins for added flavor and texture. Just be sure not to overload them—keeping a balance will help maintain their fluffy texture!
