This fun Banana Foster Monkey Bread combines sweet, gooey bread with delicious banana flavor. Each pull-apart piece is loaded with caramel and cinnamon, making it a treat everyone will love!
Honestly, what’s better than tearing into a warm, sticky bite of this? It’s like dessert for breakfast! I can never resist having a second piece (or third)! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: Refrigerated biscuit dough is a quick option. If you’re looking for homemade, you can make your own dough or use crescent roll dough instead. Both options will yield delicious results!
Bananas: Ripe bananas are essential for the flavor. If you don’t have bananas, apple slices or even diced peaches can work, but they’ll give a different tangy twist.
Cinnamon: This adds warmth and spice. If you want a different flavor, try pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for a unique take on the dish.
Dark Rum: It adds depth of flavor. If you prefer to avoid alcohol, just omit it, or substitute with a splash of vanilla extract for a sweet note.
How Do You Make Sure the Monkey Bread Comes Out Perfectly?
A great tip for making monkey bread is to ensure each piece is evenly coated in cinnamon sugar. This helps every bite taste sweet and flavorful. Greasing the bundt pan well will also help the bread slide out easily once it’s baked.
- For a perfect bake, avoid opening the oven door too frequently – this can cause it to cook unevenly.
- If you’re worried about burning, check for doneness a few minutes early to ensure it’s golden and not overdone.
- Let it cool slightly before flipping out to let it set, which will keep the pieces intact.
How to Make Bananas Foster Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough (about 16 oz each)
- 2-3 ripe bananas, sliced into rounds
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup dark rum (optional for authentic Bananas Foster flavor)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Greasing:
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the bundt pan
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Bananas Foster Monkey Bread will take you about 15 minutes to prepare and 35-40 minutes to bake. After baking, allow it to cool for 10 minutes before serving. So, you can expect the total time to be around 1 hour — a sweet treat that’s totally worth it!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grease a bundt pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter to ensure the monkey bread doesn’t stick.
2. Cut and Coat Biscuit Dough:
Next, take your biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Toss the biscuit pieces in this cinnamon sugar mix until each piece is well-coated with that sweet goodness.
3. Layer the Monkey Bread:
Now it’s time to build your layers! Place half of the coated biscuit pieces into the greased bundt pan. Follow this with a layer of sliced bananas over the biscuit pieces. Add the remaining biscuit pieces on top, and feel free to add more banana slices for extra goodness!
4. Make the Caramel Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. This is the best part! Stir in the packed brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract. Cook until the mixture completely dissolves and starts bubbling gently. Take it off the heat, and if you’re using it, carefully stir in the dark rum for that classic Bananas Foster touch.
5. Pour Sauce Over Bread:
Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the biscuit and banana layers in the bundt pan, ensuring everything gets a nice coating.
6. Bake:
Pop the bundt pan into your preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye on it! You’ll know it’s done when it’s golden brown. To check, insert a toothpick in the center – it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool and Serve:
Once baked, allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully place a serving plate on top of the bundt pan and invert it to release the bread onto the plate. The magical caramel sauce will ooze down, coating the banana pieces beautifully.
8. Enjoy Warm:
Finally, serve the Bananas Foster Monkey Bread warm and watch as everyone pulls apart a piece to enjoy. Each bite is oozing with gooey, banana-studded deliciousness — perfect for any occasion!
There you have it! A delightful treat that’s great for brunch, dessert, or a cozy gathering. Enjoy every sticky, sweet bite!
Can I Use a Different Type of Dough?
Absolutely! If you prefer, you can use homemade dough or crescent roll dough instead of refrigerated biscuit dough. Just be aware that the texture may vary slightly!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover monkey bread covered tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it, and it will last for about a week.
Can I Make This in Advance?
You can prepare the layers and assemble the monkey bread up to a day ahead. Just cover tightly and refrigerate before baking. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before popping it in the oven.
What Can I do If I Don’t Like Rum?
If you prefer not to use rum, you can simply omit it! Alternatively, you can replace it with extra vanilla extract or a splash of apple juice for added sweetness without the alcohol.
