If you’ve ever dreamed of a gooey, sweet treat that fills your home with irresistible cinnamon aromas while effortlessly baking itself, I have the perfect surprise for you: the Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe. This delightful concoction turns simple refrigerated biscuits into a pull-apart masterpiece that’s soft, caramelized, and coated in a luscious brown sugar glaze. It’s the kind of dessert or breakfast you’ll want to make again and again because it’s as fun to eat as it is to make. Trust me, once you try this Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe, it’ll become your go-to for any cozy gathering or special weekend indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a specific role, from the soft biscuit dough that creates the perfect texture, to the rich brown sugar and cinnamon that envelop every bite in warm sweetness. Gathering these straightforward essentials means you’re just moments away from a crowd-pleaser.
- Refrigerated biscuits (1 can, 16.3 ounces): The base of the bread, these provide a soft and fluffy texture once cooked.
- Granulated sugar (â…“ cup): Adds sweetness and helps the cinnamon adhere evenly.
- Ground cinnamon (3 tablespoons): Imparts that classic warm, spicy flavor that monkey bread is known for.
- Brown sugar, packed (½ cup): Gives the bread its rich caramel-like sweetness when combined with butter.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup): Melts into the brown sugar to create a gooey, luscious coating.
- Large pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances depth of flavor.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): For the sweet glaze that finishes off the dish beautifully.
- Milk (3 tablespoons): Helps create a smooth, pourable glaze.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle aromatic note to the glaze, rounding out the flavors.
How to Make Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Crockpot
Start by giving your 4-quart slow cooker a good spray with non-stick pan spray. This little step saves you from sticky situations later and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cut the Biscuits
Open your can of refrigerated biscuits and cut each biscuit into quarters. These bite-sized pieces are what will turn into the irresistible monkey bread clusters, perfect for sharing or noshing solo.
Step 3: Coat the Biscuits in Cinnamon Sugar
Pop the biscuit pieces into a large ziplock bag with the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Seal the bag, leaving some room for movement, then shake vigorously until every piece is coated with that sweet cinnamon-sugar goodness. Add the coated biscuits to your prepped Crockpot, sprinkling a bit of the leftover cinnamon sugar on top for that extra spark of sweetness.
Step 4: Prepare the Brown Sugar Butter Mixture
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat this mixture in 30-second bursts until the butter melts and the sugar starts to dissolve, creating a molten caramel-like sauce that will soak perfectly into the biscuit pieces.
Step 5: Pour Over the Biscuits
Slowly drizzle the warm brown sugar and butter mixture over the coated biscuits in the Crockpot. This ensures each morsel gets that melt-in-your-mouth caramel flavor as it cooks.
Step 6: Cook Low and Slow
Place the lid on your Crockpot and cook on the LOW setting for 2 to 3 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the edges of the monkey bread are beautifully browned and the center reaches about 190°F, a soft and gooey masterpiece ready to be enjoyed.
Step 7: Whisk Up the Glaze
While the bread is finishing up, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. This glaze brings a shiny sweet finish and just the right balance of creamy vanilla flavor.
Step 8: Drizzle and Serve
Once your Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe is cooked to perfection, carefully drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve it warm, and watch everyone’s eyes light up as they pull apart their pieces of cinnamon-sugar heaven.
How to Serve Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Your monkey bread can be made even more special with creative garnishes. A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts adds a delightful crunch, while a dusting of extra powdered sugar creates a snowy look that’s perfect for holiday mornings. Fresh berries or a drizzle of caramel sauce can also amp up the decadence for a dessert-worthy presentation.
Side Dishes
This sweet treat pairs beautifully with a cup of rich coffee or spiced chai. For a complete breakfast feast, try serving it alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon — the contrast between sweet and savory will have your taste buds dancing.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd, consider placing the monkey bread on a large serving platter surrounded by small bowls of fruit preserves, nuts, or extra glaze so guests can customize their bites. You can also bake it in individual ramekins in the Crockpot for personal servings that feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover monkey bread (which can happen if you’re feeling extra generous), store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps it soft and ready to enjoy later.
Freezing
Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe actually freezes well! Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for up to one month. When you’re ready for a treat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to life, warm individual portions in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds, or reheat the whole batch in a slow cooker set on warm until heated through. This keeps it soft and gooey, just like fresh.
FAQs
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of refrigerated biscuits?
Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works wonderfully and can add a personalized touch, though using refrigerated biscuits keeps things quick and easy, perfect for when you want a hassle-free treat.
What if I don’t have a Crockpot or slow cooker?
You can bake the same mixture in a bundt or tube pan in the oven at 350°F for about 35-40 minutes, but the Crockpot method gives you that ultra-moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to beat.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the recipe?
Yes, mixing in chopped nuts or chocolate chips with the coated biscuit pieces before cooking adds lovely texture and flavor variations that make this monkey bread even more special.
Is this recipe suitable for breakfast or dessert?
Both! Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe is sweet and indulgent enough for dessert but also comforting enough to enjoy as a special breakfast or brunch treat.
How long does it take to cook in the Crockpot?
Plan for 2 to 3 hours on low heat. This slow cooking time transforms the biscuits into soft, caramelized clusters with perfectly cooked centers.
Final Thoughts
Making the Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe is like wrapping yourself in a warm, cinnamon-scented hug. It’s easy to prepare, glazes beautifully, and tastes dreamy every time. Whether you’re entertaining guests, celebrating a holiday, or just craving something sweet and satisfying, this recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite. Give it a try and watch your kitchen fill up with smiles and sticky fingers!
Print
Crockpot Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Monkey Bread recipe is a delightful, warm, and gooey dessert made easy by slow cooking it in a CrockPot. Sweet biscuit dough coated with cinnamon sugar, topped with a rich brown sugar butter mixture, and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze creates a perfect pull-apart treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Biscuit Dough
- 1 (16.3-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits
Sugar Coating
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Brown Sugar Butter Mixture
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large pinch salt
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Crockpot: Spray the pot of a 4-quart slow cooker or CrockPot with pan spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Cut Biscuits: Cut the refrigerated biscuits into quarters to create bite-sized pieces ready for coating.
- Coat Biscuits: Place the biscuit pieces in a large ziplock bag along with granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Seal the bag leaving some air inside and shake vigorously until biscuits are fully coated. Transfer coated biscuits to the CrockPot and sprinkle leftover cinnamon sugar on top, discarding any excess.
- Make Brown Sugar Mixture: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt unsalted butter with brown sugar and a pinch of salt by heating in 30-second increments until butter is fully melted and sugar is largely dissolved, stirring between intervals.
- Pour Over Biscuits: Drizzle the warm brown sugar butter mixture evenly over the coated biscuits in the CrockPot.
- Cook: Cover the CrockPot and cook on LOW heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the biscuit pieces on the edge start to brown and the center temperature reaches about 190°F (88°C).
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the monkey bread before serving to add a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Use a 4-quart or larger CrockPot to ensure enough space for the monkey bread to expand.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough can vary in size, so adjust cooking time as needed if biscuit size differs.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 190°F to guarantee the bread is fully cooked through.
- For a richer flavor, use unsalted butter and control the salt amount yourself.
- The glaze can be adjusted with more or less milk to reach desired consistency.
