Bundt Pan For Monkey Bread: Necessary?

Monkey bread is a delightful treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It is a sweet, sticky pastry made by coating small balls of dough in butter and sugar, then baking them together in a pan. While a bundt pan is traditionally used, it is not necessary. You can use a variety of alternative baking dishes such as a cake pan, loaf pan, muffin tin, or even a cast-iron skillet. The key is to ensure that the baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking and to adjust the baking time as needed.

The process of making monkey bread without a bundt pan is simple. First, choose a suitable baking dish that is deep enough to hold the dough balls and has enough surface area for them to rise. Then, prepare the dough by combining the dry and wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Next, shape the dough into small balls and coat them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Arrange the coated dough balls in the baking dish, allowing space for them to rise, and let them rest for about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the monkey bread for 25-30 minutes or until it is fully cooked. Finally, serve and enjoy!

Monkey bread can be stored at room temperature for up to two or three days and frozen for up to three months. It is a versatile dish that can be customised with different flavours and presentations, making it a fun and interactive treat for any occasion.

Monkey bread can be made in a loaf pan

Monkey bread is a pastry that is halfway between a sweet bread and a cake. The dough is typically assembled into smaller dough balls, drenched in butter, cinnamon sugar, and caramel, and then baked together in a pan. While monkey bread is typically made in a bundt pan, it can also be made in a loaf pan.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, warmed to between 120°F and 130°F
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly for the cinnamon sugar coating
• 1/2 cup tightly packed light or dark brown sugar for the cinnamon sugar coating
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar for the cinnamon sugar coating
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar coating
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter for the caramel sauce
• 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar for the caramel sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt for the caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract for the caramel sauce

Instructions:

Day 1: Make the Brioche Dough

• Mix the dry ingredients in a stand mixer.
• Pour in the wet ingredients and let the stand mixer knead the dough for about 10 minutes.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Day 2: Assemble the Monkey Bread

• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured counter to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
• Use a bench scraper or pastry cutter to divide the dough into 1-inch squares.
• Roll each square into a small ball.
• Place the dough balls in a large bowl and drizzle with melted butter for the coating. Gently toss until they are coated.
• Whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon for the coating and sprinkle over the dough balls. Gently toss again until they are coated.
• Place the dough balls in a prepared loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until puffy.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Make the caramel sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan and whisking in the sugar, salt, and vanilla.
• Pour the warm caramel sauce over the dough balls and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
• Serve warm or rewarm before serving.

The monkey bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

A tube pan is another alternative to a bundt pan

The key to using a tube pan is to make sure that the baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking and to adjust the baking time as needed based on the size and depth of the dish. The dough balls will expand, creating a pull-apart bread with a soft, fluffy texture and a caramelized sugar coating.

You can also use a muffin tin

Monkey bread is a delightful treat that can be made in a muffin tin if you don't have a bundt pan. This method is perfect for creating individual servings of monkey bread, and it's also great for serving at parties or events. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make monkey bread in a muffin tin:

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

First, prepare the dough by combining flour, sugar, yeast, salt, milk, eggs, and butter. You can use a stand mixer or mix the ingredients by hand until a sticky dough forms. Then, knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 2: Shape The Dough

Next, divide the dough into small pieces and shape each piece into a ball. The size of the dough balls can vary according to your preference, but a golf ball-sized dough is a good starting point.

Step 3: Coat The Dough Balls

In a separate bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. You can adjust the ratio of cinnamon to sugar according to your taste preferences. Roll each dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until it is evenly coated on all sides.

Step 4: Arrange The Dough Balls in the Muffin Tin

Grease a muffin tin with butter or cooking spray. Place each coated dough ball into the muffin cups, packing them tightly together. You can fill the muffin cups to the top, as the dough balls will expand during baking.

Step 5: Let The Dough Rise

Cover the muffin tin with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for about 30 minutes or until the dough balls have doubled in size. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your monkey bread will be light and fluffy.

Step 6: Bake the Monkey Bread

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Once the oven is ready and the dough has risen, bake the monkey bread for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once the monkey bread is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. You can serve it as-is, or create a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar and milk, and drizzling it over the warm monkey bread. Monkey bread is best served warm, and it's perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any time you're craving something sweet and indulgent!

Storage Tips:

Monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it at room temperature for up to two or three days in an airtight container. If you want to keep it for a longer period, it's best to freeze it. Wrap the monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap, then cover it with aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen monkey bread can be stored for up to three months. To serve, thaw it at room temperature or reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.

A cast-iron skillet can be used to make monkey bread

Yes, a cast-iron skillet can be used to make monkey bread. In fact, some people claim that using a cast-iron skillet is the "only legitimate way to honour this southern comfort dish".

To make monkey bread in a cast-iron skillet, you will need the following ingredients:

• Butter
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Biscuit dough
• Brown sugar

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, place butter in your cast-iron skillet and put it in the oven until melted. Next, mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside. Cut the biscuit dough into small pieces and coat them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place the coated dough pieces in the skillet and sprinkle with brown sugar. Finally, bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes.

You can also add your own twist to the recipe by adding nuts, dried fruits, or other spices.

Monkey bread can be made in a cake pan

Monkey bread is a delightful pastry that can be made in a cake pan. It is a sweet, sticky pastry made by coating small balls of dough in butter and sugar, then baking them together in a cake pan. The dough balls rise and expand, creating a pull-apart bread with a soft, fluffy texture and a caramelized sugar coating.

The key to making monkey bread in a cake pan is to ensure the baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking and to adjust the baking time based on the size and depth of the dish. A 9-inch square baking dish or a 10-inch round cake pan works well for this.

To make monkey bread in a cake pan, simply follow the recipe as usual and place the dough balls in the pan, stacking them on top of each other. Once the pan is full, bake as directed and enjoy!

You can also get creative and experiment with different flavors. Try adding chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to the dough or coating. You can also use different spices like nutmeg or cardamom or try a savory version with cheese and herbs.

So, if you don't have a bundt pan, don't worry! You can still enjoy the delicious taste of monkey bread by making it in a cake pan. It's a fun and indulgent treat that's perfect for any occasion.

Frequently asked questions