Monkey bread with my little monkey

Delicious Monkey Bread Recipe: A Little Delight for the Weekend

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 50-55 minutes
Servings: 8-10 servings

Introduction
If Sunday brings you the desire to enjoy a quick and comforting dessert, Monkey Bread is the perfect choice! This dessert, also known as 'monkey bread', combines the fluffy texture of rolls with the sweet aroma of butter and cinnamon. It’s a simple yet incredibly delicious recipe that can quickly become a family favorite. With the help of little Miruna, we turned this recipe into a fun and memory-filled experience! Let’s see together how we can prepare this wonderful treat!

Necessary Ingredients
- 500 g flour
- 340-370 ml warm water
- 13 g fresh yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar (or even 2 for a sweeter taste)
- 150 g butter (for greasing)
- 200 g sugar (for the cinnamon mixture)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (or more, to taste)

Ingredient Details
Flour is the base of the recipe, and choosing a good quality one will make the Monkey Bread fluffy and delicious. Fresh yeast is essential for proper fermentation and a light dough. Sugar not only adds sweetness but also helps activate the yeast. Butter will provide a rich texture, while cinnamon will add an irresistible aroma.

Preparing the Dough
1. Start by preparing the oven. Preheat it to 180°C (350°F) and grease a bundt pan with butter, making sure it’s well covered to prevent sticking.

2. Mixing the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and 1 ½ tablespoons of sugar. Ensure the ingredients are well mixed.

3. Activating the yeast. In a small bowl, rub the yeast with a little sugar (about 1 teaspoon) and add warm water. Let it sit for a few minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.

4. Combining the ingredients. Pour the activated liquid over the flour mixture and stir with a spoon until you obtain a smooth dough. There’s no need to knead the dough! Cover the bowl with an airtight lid and let it chill in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. This step will enhance the flavor and texture of the dough.

Shaping the Monkey Bread
1. Take the dough out of the refrigerator. The next day, when you’re ready to continue, take the bowl out of the fridge and turn the dough onto a well-floured surface.

2. Flatten and fold the dough. Using floured hands, gently flatten the dough and fold it a few times to give it an airy texture.

3. Mixing the butter and cinnamon. In a medium bowl, combine the melted (but cooled) butter, the remaining sugar (200 g), and cinnamon. Mix well to obtain a smooth paste.

4. Forming the balls. Tear off small pieces of dough, shape them into balls, and roll them in the butter and cinnamon mixture. Place the balls in the greased bundt pan, leaving a little space between them as they will rise during baking.

5. Letting it rise. Cover the pan with a towel and let it sit in a warm place for about 30 minutes to allow the dough to rise.

Baking the Monkey Bread
1. Bake in the oven. Once the dough has risen, place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the Monkey Bread is golden and fluffy. Do the toothpick test – if it comes out clean, it’s ready!

2. Cooling. Remove the pan from the oven and let the Monkey Bread cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes.

Serving
Monkey Bread is best served warm, straight from the oven! You can enjoy it plain or accompany it with a vanilla sauce or a drizzle of melted chocolate. It’s perfect for sharing with loved ones on a lazy weekend morning or at a gathering with friends.

Tips and Variations
- Delicious Additions: You can experiment by adding nuts, chocolate, or dried fruits among the dough balls to create delicious variations of Monkey Bread.
- Savory Variation: An interesting twist would be to add cheddar cheese and herbs for a savory reinterpretation of the recipe.
- Easy to make with kids: This is a great recipe to involve kids in the kitchen. Miruna had a blast, and you can too!

Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use dry yeast? Yes, you can replace fresh yeast with dry yeast, using about 4 g.
- How long can it be stored? Monkey Bread can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, but it’s best enjoyed fresh.
- Can I freeze Monkey Bread? Yes, you can freeze Monkey Bread before baking, and when you want to enjoy it, let it thaw and bake according to the instructions.

Now that you’ve discovered this simple and delicious recipe, don’t hesitate to try it! Keep your mind open to explore variations and customize your Monkey Bread so it becomes truly your favorite comfort recipe. Enjoy!