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Monkey Gingerbread Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 156 reviews

This classic Monkey (Ginger) Bread recipe features soft yeast dough infused with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, coated in a luscious brown sugar and butter glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, the pull-apart bread offers a delightful combination of sweet, spicy flavors and a gooey texture that is irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale

Yeast Mixture

  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • Pinch sugar
  • 1/3 cup warm water (110°F)

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened (for bundt pan)
  • 1 stick butter, melted (about 8 tablespoons)

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (optional, if needed during mixing)

Coating

  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast and a pinch of sugar with 1/3 cup of warm water heated to 110°F. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
  2. Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter with whole milk and molasses over low heat. Remove from heat once the butter melts and set aside to cool briefly to avoid killing the yeast when combined.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 3 1/4 cups flour, kosher salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and freshly grated nutmeg until evenly combined.
  4. Knead Dough in Mixer: Attach a dough hook to your stand mixer and set it to low speed. Gradually add the cooled molasses mixture followed by the foamy yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix for 7 minutes until a sticky but smooth dough forms. If too wet and sticky to handle, add up to 1/4 cup extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach a soft dough consistency.
  5. Knead by Hand and First Rise: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 1 minute to form a smooth ball. Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside, turning it once to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  6. Prepare for Assembly: Butter a bundt pan thoroughly with the 2 tablespoons of softened butter. Place the melted stick of butter in one small bowl and the dark brown sugar in another to use for coating the dough pieces.
  7. Shape Dough Balls: Once risen, transfer dough to a floured surface and gently pat it into an 8-inch square. Cut the square into 64 small pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Dip each ball first into the melted butter, then roll it in the brown sugar, and place it evenly into the bundt pan.
  8. Second Rise: Cover the filled bundt pan with plastic wrap and let the dough balls rise in a warm place for 1 hour until puffy and about an inch below the top of the pan. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight and bring to room temperature before baking.
  9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the monkey bread for 30 to 35 minutes until the top turns golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes (no longer).
  10. Serve: Invert the bundt pan onto a cake stand or serving plate and let the bread cool another 5 to 10 minutes before serving warm for a gooey, delicious treat.

Notes

  • Ensure your water for yeast activation is warm (around 110°F) to properly activate the yeast; water that is too hot can kill it.
  • The dough is sticky; add extra flour cautiously, just enough to handle the dough without making it dry.
  • For best flavor, spices including fresh nutmeg are crucial—don’t skip them.
  • You can make the dough ahead and refrigerate overnight after shaping the balls for a convenient breakfast option.
  • If you don’t have a bundt pan, a tube pan or deep round cake pan will work similarly.
  • Serve warm for the best gooey texture, but leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven.

Keywords: monkey bread, ginger bread, pull-apart bread, spiced bread, yeast bread, breakfast bread, molasses bread

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/monkey-gingerbread-bread-recipe/