This warm and gooey Maple Bacon Monkey Bread is the perfect sweet and salty treat! Fluffy dough balls are coated in maple syrup and crispy bacon bits for a yum-packed experience.
Honestly, the combination of maple and bacon is so tasty, it’s hard to stop at just one piece! I love serving it at brunch—it always makes everyone smile! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: Refrigerated biscuit dough is a time-saver for this recipe. If you want a homemade touch, you can use your favorite biscuit recipe. For a flaky option, consider Biscuits from scratch or even crescent roll dough for a different texture.
Bacon: Crispy, cooked bacon is a must for its flavor. However, if you’re looking for a vegetarian option, you can use a smoky flavored turkey bacon or vegan bacon bits for a similar taste without the meat.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup gives the best taste, but if you’re short on it, use pancake syrup in a pinch. Just be aware that it will be sweeter and less rich in flavor.
Brown Sugar: For a deeper flavor, opt for dark brown sugar, which has more molasses. If you’re looking for a healthier option, coconut sugar can be a great substitute.
Optional Nuts: Pecans or walnuts are perfect for added crunch. If you have nut allergies, just leave them out or replace them with sunflower seeds for a bit of texture without the nuts.
How Do I Get My Monkey Bread to Pull Apart Easily?
One common challenge with monkey bread is ensuring it can be pulled apart without falling apart. Here are some essential tips:
- **Cut the Dough Evenly**: When cutting the biscuits, make sure each piece is about the same size to ensure even cooking and texture.
- **Coat Generously**: Tossing the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon and ensuring they are well-coated with sauce will help them stick together without falling apart.
- **Don’t Overbake**: Keep an eye on the baking time. Overbaking can dry out the dough, making it harder to pull apart. You want it golden and bubbly!
- **Cooling Time**: After baking, let it cool slightly in the pan before flipping it out. This gives the bread a chance to set, making it easier to serve.
With these tips, your Maple Bacon Monkey Bread should be a hit! Enjoy each lovely, flavorful piece!
Maple Bacon Monkey Bread Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 (12 oz) cans refrigerated biscuit dough (about 16 biscuits)
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Main Components:
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Maple Bacon Monkey Bread will take about 15 minutes to prepare and 35-40 minutes to bake. After baking, allow for about 10 minutes of cooling time. So, plan for a total of around 1 hour for this tasty treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Bacon:
Start by cooking the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it turns nice and crisp. Once cooked, transfer the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess grease. After it’s cooled down a bit, crumble the bacon into small pieces. If you like, you can save a little bit of the bacon fat for added flavor later!
2. Prep the Dough:
While the bacon is cooling, cut each biscuit into quarters. In a large mixing bowl, toss the biscuit pieces with ground cinnamon to ensure they’re evenly coated. This adds a delightful flavor to each bite!
3. Make the Maple Sauce:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the packed brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir the mixture until it’s smooth and bubbly, which should take just a few minutes. After it’s bubbling nicely, remove it from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
4. Assemble the Monkey Bread:
- Grease a Bundt pan or tube pan with butter or a non-stick spray to avoid any sticking later on.
- Layer half of the biscuit pieces into the bottom of the pan, followed by half of the crumbled bacon and any nuts you’re using.
- Pour half of the warm maple sauce evenly over this layer.
- Repeat this process with the remaining biscuit pieces, bacon, and nuts, and finish with the rest of the maple sauce. This creates beautiful layers of flavor!
5. Bake:
Now it’s time to bake! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the Bundt pan in the oven and bake the monkey bread for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. To be sure it’s done, insert a toothpick into the bread; it should come out clean.
6. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After cooling, carefully place a serving plate on top of the Bundt pan and invert it to release the monkey bread. Serve it warm and enjoy the wonderful contrast of sweet maple syrup and crispy bacon in every delicious pull-apart piece!
Dig in and enjoy your delightful Maple Bacon Monkey Bread—a perfect treat for breakfast or brunch! 🍽️
Can I Use Frozen Biscuit Dough for This Recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re using frozen biscuit dough, just make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before using it. Once thawed, proceed with cutting and coating the dough as directed in the recipe.
How Do I Store Leftover Monkey Bread?
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it fresh, loosely cover with foil or wax paper to prevent it from getting too soggy. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it to extend its shelf life for about up to a week.
Can I Make this Monkey Bread Without Bacon?
Yes, you can totally skip the bacon for a vegetarian version! You can replace it with cheese bits for added flavor or simply add more nuts for texture. The maple syrup and cinnamon will still make it delicious!
What Can I Serve with Maple Bacon Monkey Bread?
This delightful dish is fantastic on its own, but you can serve it with fresh fruit, yogurt, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup on the side for added sweetness. It’s great for brunch or as a fun breakfast treat!