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Best Gooey Monkey Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Orange Glaze

Gooey Monkey Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Orange Glaze - featured image
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The sticky, pull-apart strands of caramelized dough, slick with a glossy citrus sheen, are what I made this for. This isn’t just another cinnamon roll recipe; it’s the result of a kitchen obsession with creating the most decadent, pull-apart breakfast imaginable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, warm (110°F)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) water, warm (110°F)
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar (dark brown preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, very soft
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the warm milk, warm water, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add the sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Add 3 cups of the flour and mix with the dough hook on low speed until a shaggy dough forms. Gradually add the remaining ½ cup of flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It should be soft and slightly tacky, not sticky. Knead on medium-low speed for 5-7 minutes, until smoot…
  2. Prepare the Filling and Coating: While the dough rises, make the filling. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. In another bowl, have your very soft butter ready. For the gooey coating, melt the ¼ cup of butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the brown sugar and maple syrup until smooth. Keep it warm on the lowest setting.
  3. Shape the Rolls: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread the soft butter evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border on the long edge. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously over the butter. Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the log into 12-16 equal pieces.
  4. Assemble the Monkey Bread: Generously grease your bundt pan. Take each piece of dough and dip it into the warm brown sugar coating, making sure it’s completely covered. Layer the coated dough pieces in the prepared pan, staggering them slightly so they aren’t perfectly stacked. Pour any remaining coating over the top. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, until puffy.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown and the center is bubbling. If the top is browning too quickly, tent it with foil after 20 minutes. Let it cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes. This is crucial—it allows the gooey sauce to set slightly so it doesn’t all run out when you flip it.
  6. Glaze and Serve: While the bread cools slightly, make the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Place a large serving plate upside down on top of the bundt pan. Carefully flip the pan and plate together. Lift the pan off. Let the glaze drizzle down the sides. Serve warm!

Notes

Don’t overheat the milk (over 115°F will kill the yeast). Grease the pan well to prevent sticking. Let the bread cool for exactly 10 minutes before flipping to avoid the sugar syrup running out. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk. To make ahead, assemble the monkey bread in the pan, cover, and refrigerate overnight; let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: monkey bread, cinnamon rolls, orange glaze, pull-apart bread, breakfast pastry, gooey, brunch recipe

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/best-gooey-monkey-bread-cinnamon-rolls-with-orange-glaze/