Your taste buds are in for a treat with this Maple Bacon Monkey Bread! It’s a fun pull-apart bread made with sweet dough, crispy bacon, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Yum!
Honestly, what’s better than warm, gooey bread mixed with bacon? It’s like brunch in your hands! 🤭 I love serving this for special breakfasts or just when I need a cozy snack.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: The base of this recipe is refrigerated biscuit dough, preferably with flaky layers. If you want a homemade touch, you can use your favorite biscuit recipe! For gluten-free options, there are pre-made gluten-free biscuit doughs available.
Bacon: I love using crispy, cooked bacon for this recipe. You can also swap for turkey bacon if you prefer a lighter version, or even crispy tofu for a vegetarian option!
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich flavor and color. If you don’t have any, you can use white sugar combined with a little molasses (1 tablespoon per cup of sugar) for a similar taste.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is the star flavor here. You could substitute with agave nectar or honey, but the maple taste is hard to beat. If using pancake syrup, the flavor will be sweeter and less distinct.
How Do I Get the Perfect Pull-Apart Monkey Bread?
The key to great monkey bread is in layering and baking properly. Start by cutting each biscuit into quarters; this allows them to soak up all that gooey goodness! When layering, alternate between biscuits and bacon for even distribution of flavors. Don’t rush the baking either—35-40 minutes ensures a soft center and crispy outside.
- Preheat your oven thoroughly to get that nice golden color.
- Watch the cooling time! Letting it sit for a few minutes after baking helps it set, but don’t wait too long; you want to enjoy it warm!
- When inverting, be sure to do it over a plate to catch any drips of sweet syrup!
Maple Bacon Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Monkey Bread:
- 2 (12 oz) cans refrigerated biscuit dough (Flaky layers type works best)
- 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped (about 8 strips)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Non-stick cooking spray (for pan)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Maple Bacon Monkey Bread takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 35-40 minutes in the oven. Allow for an additional 5-7 minutes for cooling before serving, making a total of about 1 hour from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, lightly spray your bundt pan (or tube pan) with non-stick cooking spray to ensure your monkey bread comes out easily after baking.
2. Prepare the Biscuit Dough:
Open the cans of biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Place all the biscuit pieces into a large mixing bowl. This is where the fun begins!
3. Coat the Biscuit Pieces:
In a smaller bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Take the quartered biscuit pieces and toss them in the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture until they are fully coated. This will give them a sweet, spicy flavor.
4. Layer in the Bundt Pan:
Layer half of the coated biscuit pieces into the bottom of your prepared bundt pan. Follow this by sprinkling half of the chopped bacon over the biscuit layer for some savory kick!
5. Add More Layers:
Add the remaining coated biscuit pieces on top of the bacon layer, and then finish off by sprinkling the rest of the chopped bacon over the top. This creates a delicious mix of sweet and salty throughout the bread.
6. Make the Maple Drizzle:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it’s melted, carefully stir in the maple syrup (and vanilla extract if you’re using it). This sweet mixture is going to soak into the biscuit layers and make everything super tasty!
7. Pour and Bake:
Pour the warm maple syrup and butter mixture evenly over the layered biscuits and bacon in the bundt pan. Now it’s time to bake! Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bread is fully cooked.
8. Cool and Invert:
Once baked, remove the monkey bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 5-7 minutes. This step helps it set up a bit. Then, carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate to release the monkey bread.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the monkey bread warm, and watch everyone pull apart those sweet, gooey chunks! Enjoy this delightful combination of flavors as a special breakfast treat or a fun brunch dish!
This recipe creates a sticky, buttery, sweet, and crispy treat with the smoky saltiness of the bacon perfectly paired with maple syrup. Perfect for brunch or a special breakfast treat!
Can I Use Different Types of Biscuits?
Yes! While refrigerated flaky biscuits work best for this recipe, you can also use buttermilk or even homemade biscuit dough if you prefer a fresher taste. Just be sure to adjust the baking time as needed!
Can I Make This Monkey Bread Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the biscuit and bacon layers a day ahead and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, simply layer them in the pan, pour the syrup mixture over, and bake as directed. It’s a great time-saver!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To reheat, simply microwave for 15-30 seconds or warm in the oven.
Can I Add More Toppings?
Definitely! Feel free to add nuts, like pecans or walnuts, for an extra crunch. You can also drizzle some additional maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar on top when serving for added sweetness!
