monkey bread with a hint of egg nog

monkey bread with a hint of egg nog

• 1.05.2013

My sister likes to say that I make a terrible sick person.

In her mind, I turn into this pathetic mess of a person that just appears fundamentally weak. I'd like to believe that this isn't actually the case and the only downfall is that I wear the same pair of sweatpants for more days than socially acceptable.

But this isn't about whether I'm a pathetic sick person ... or how many days you can acceptably wear the same pair of sweatpants (please say 3+). This post is actually about monkey bread with egg nog glaze. Why you ask? Because it is so easy to make that I whipped out 4 of them all while feeling under the weather.

There are two ways to do this monkey bread. One is easy and one is hard. The hard way? Making the dough. The easy way? Buying biscuits from the refrigerator section at the grocery store. If I was in my apartment, I might have attempted to make the dough. But without a stand mixer, it just seemed like a whole lot of hassle. So, I took the easy way and it was worth it.

I'm not trying to brag but people are really impressed when you show up with monkey bread. So, I highly recommend it. 

(Step 1) In a plastic bag mix together your brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. I recommend using a gallon size bag because it allows you to cover more little dough nuggets faster.

(Step 2) Crack open your cans of biscuits and cut them into smaller sections. I recommend 6 little pieces . I started doing 8 originally but it seemed unnecessary and maybe a bit too small. So do 6. No big deal.

(Step 3) In batches... toss the little dough nuggets into your plastic bag and toss it around until they are well covered. Then transfer those nuggets to a greased bundt pan.

(Step 4) It doesn't have to be perfect but try to make some decent layers in the pan. In other words, just make it relatively even.

(Step 5) Drizzle the melted butter over the top of all the nuggets. Note:  You could also drizzle butter in between the layers but I'm not too sure it makes a big difference. The butter is what will make the monkey bread "gooey" and well ... amazing.

(Step 6) Toss the pan in the oven at 375 F for about 25-30 minutes. If you are doing two at once (which I was initially), you'll need a few extra minutes. The bread will be done when the top layer is a bit like a crusty layer of bread. I know this is vague but, you'll be fine. Really.

(Step 7) After you take it out of the oven, let the pan cool for about 10-15 minutes before you flip it. You need the gooey-ness to harden a bit or I assume it'll collapse. While it is cooling, you can make the egg nog glaze.

(Step 8) The glaze is highly optional since this bread is amazing without it ... but it makes it seasonally appropriate and great. After flipping the pan, you can drizzle the glaze over the top or leave it on the side for people to add by themselves.

I have visions of making this again through all the seasons which appropriate additions like orange zest? or cranberries? or maybe skip the cinnamon/sugar and go garlic for dinner?

Either way, it's a win.

Adapted from this recipe

Shopping List

2 cans of biscuits (Grands style)

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 sticks) melted butter

DRIZZLE GLAZE:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons eggnog
dash of ground nutmeg