Alton Brown Monkey Bread Recipe

This Alton Brown Monkey Bread Recipe is a rich and fluffy recipe, which includes buttermilk and light brown sugar. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 19 hours and 10 minutes.

Alton Brown Monkey Bread Recipe Ingredients

Dough:

• 4 large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 6 fluid ounces buttermilk, at room temperature
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting
• 1 package instant dry yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

Topping:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground rosemary
• 3/4 cup raisins

Coating:

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground rosemary

How To Make Alton Brown Monkey Bread

1. Make the dough base: In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk egg yolks, whole egg, sugar, butter, and buttermilk on medium speed for 1 minute.
2. Add dry ingredients: Add 2 cups flour, yeast, and salt. Whisk another minute, scraping the bowl halfway through.
3. Knead the dough: Switch to the dough hook. Add almost all remaining flour and knead on low for 5 minutes. Add more flour if needed for a soft, moist texture. Continue kneading for 5 more minutes until the dough clears the sides.
4. First rise: Turn dough onto a floured surface, knead by hand 30 seconds. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 2 to 2 1/2 hours until doubled.
5. Make the topping: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with brown sugar, rosemary, and raisins until dissolved, about 3 minutes. Pour half into the bottoms of 2 bundt pans. Refrigerate the rest.
6. Make the coating: Mix melted butter and rosemary in a shallow bowl.
7. Form the dough balls: Shape dough into an 18-inch cylinder, divide into 1-ounce pieces (about 32). Roll each into a ball, coat in butter mixture, and place evenly in the 2 pans. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 16 hours.
8. Second rise: Place pans in an off oven with a pan of boiling water on the rack below. Let rise 20–30 minutes until puffy.
9. Bake the bread: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Bake bread for 25–30 minutes until golden or 190ºF internal temperature.
10. Add topping: Reheat remaining topping and pour over bread 15 minutes into baking. Finish baking.
11. Cool and serve: Cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then invert onto a platter. Serve warm.

Recipe Tips

• Can I make this without a stand mixer? Yes, you can mix and knead by hand, but it will take more effort and time.
• How to know if the dough is ready? The dough should be soft and moist but not sticky. It should clean the sides of the bowl when kneaded.
• Why use rosemary in monkey bread? Rosemary adds a subtle, savory twist to balance the sweetness—totally optional if you prefer it sweet only.
• How long can I refrigerate the dough balls? Up to 16 hours before baking. Any longer may affect texture and rise.
• What if I don’t have a bundt pan? Use any oven-safe deep pan; just monitor the baking time closely.

What To Serve With Monkey Bread

Monkey bread is perfect on its own, but here are some great additions:

• Fresh fruit or a fruit salad
• Scrambled eggs or an omelette
• Bacon or sausage
• Vanilla or cinnamon-spiced coffee
• A drizzle of cream cheese glaze

How To Store Monkey Bread

Refrigerate: Wrap leftovers tightly and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven.

Freeze: Freeze baked monkey bread for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and warm before serving.

Monkey Bread Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 410
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Sugar: 21g
• Protein: 6g
• Sodium: 270mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought dough instead of homemade?
Yes, refrigerated biscuit dough can work in a pinch, but the texture will be different.

How do I prevent monkey bread from sticking to the pan?
Grease the pan well and pour in the topping as directed. Inverting while warm also helps.

Why didn’t my dough rise overnight?
Your fridge may be too cold or the yeast might be old. Try proofing in a warmer spot before baking.

Can I skip the raisins or rosemary?
Absolutely! Both are optional and can be left out or replaced with nuts or cinnamon.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, kids love the pull-apart texture. You can omit rosemary for a sweeter version.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Pumpkin Puree Recipe
• Alton Brown Blueberry Pie Recipe
• Alton Brown Bagels Recipe