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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Published: Nov 9, 2021 · Modified: Nov 19, 2022 by Danielle · This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.

    EASY Rhodes Monkey Bread (w/ butterscotch pudding)

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    Monkey bread on platter with graphic overlay.
    Caramel butterscotch sauce dripping off rolls with graphic overlay.

    This Easy Rhodes Monkey Bread (w/ butterscotch pudding) uses frozen dough to make the best cinnamon pull-apart bubble bread! Drenched in a gooey, ultra-smooth sauce, this perfected version of your favorite breakfast treat can be made overnight or on the day-of with just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on time. Perfect for any busy day, but especially great for Christmas morning!

    Overnight monkey bread on a white serving platter.
    It's almost magical how frozen bread dough can create such a delectable morning pastry.
    Skip to:
    • ❓ What is monkey bread?
    • 🥇 Why it’s great!
    • 🥮 Ingredient list
    • 👨🏼‍🍳 How to make monkey bread
    • 🍽 How to serve Rhodes rolls monkey bread
    • 🙋 Questions and Answers
    • 👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks
    • 📖 Other breakfast recipes
    • 👋🏻 Connect with us!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Monkey bread has never been better. Soft pillowy segments of dough (we use frozen rolls to make it EASY) swimming in a luxuriously smooth sauce... it doesn’t get anymore delicious! 

    The sauce on this overnight breakfast treat is a combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, and butterscotch pudding that’s best served warm while the sauce is still gooey. Trust me...it’s sooo good!

    My favorite thing about this Rhodes Rolls Monkey Bread recipe is that it takes 10 minutes to throw together, which makes it the perfect make-ahead breakfast for a special occasion! So much easier than the cinnamon rolls I used to make for Christmas morning. I mean, cinnamon rolls are amazing, but this is just SO much easier. 

    ❓ What is monkey bread?

    The key element to monkey bread is that it is yeast rolls or biscuit dough that is baked together in a cinnamon sugar mixture and then can be pulled apart. According to Wikipedia  Monkey Bread is also known as "Christmas morning delights, monkey puzzle bread, monkey brains, sticky bread, Hungarian coffee cake, golden dumpling coffee cake, pinch-me cake, pluck-it cake, plucking cake, bubble loaf and funky bread.”

    Looking to round out your special breakfast menu? Try this prep ahead egg casserole with bacon and green chilis. And bake your bacon in the oven for a hands-off way to get it done in a hurry and without the splatter. Find these and more of our family favorites on our Breakfast recipes page. 

    This isn’t the only Rhodes roll recipe we love. Try these buttery dinner rolls (with Rhodes Rolls) the next time you want a fresh baked dinner roll. So easy and super delicious!

    🥇 Why it’s great!

    • It’s easy! Only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on time.
    • Use frozen rolls! There is no need to make your own dough or cut rolls. Rhodes rolls bake up perfectly without the extra work
    • It’s a no-cook, ultra-smooth sauce. Traditional monkey bread recipes either have a gritty sauce or there is an extra step of cooking the sauce. This method provides a simple solution for a perfect monkey bread with minimal work.
    • Make it the day before and just bake it fresh before serving!
    • It’s absolutely perfect for Christmas, holidays, company, or busy weekends.
    Ingredients for rhodes rolls overnight monkey bread.
    Five ingredients (nuts optional) are all you need to make the BEST monkey bread you have ever had.

    🥮 Ingredient list

    Rhodes frozen rolls: For this recipe we use 24 of the unbaked frozen balls of dough that are 38 grams each. See the picture above for the bags of rhodes rolls we use.
    Butterscotch pudding: One key to a perfect sauce is to use the 3.5 ounce Cook & Serve box of butterscotch pudding mix. Do NOT use instant pudding. It will not dissolve, which will make the sauce crusty instead of smooth.
    Heavy cream: Traditionally monkey bread uses melted butter. The problem with butter is that the sauce ends up being gritty. Our secret ingredient, heavy cream, ensures that the sauce is very smooth without any of the grit.
    Brown sugar: Provides a deep caramel flavor to the cinnamon sugar mixture. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
    Cinnamon: Provides the classic flavor associated with this type of pull-apart bread.
    Nuts: Pecan or walnuts are optional. I am partial to walnuts, but you choose whichever you prefer.

    👨🏼‍🍳 How to make monkey bread

    This Rhodes Rolls Monkey Bread (w/ butterscotch pudding) is such an easy recipe. It’s homemade monkey bread with a couple of time saving shortcuts. 

    The first step is to prepare the bundt cake pan (affiliate). Generously spray with a non-stick baking spray that contains flour. 

    Once the pan is prepared, combine the heavy cream, ¾ cup of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butterscotch pudding mix (affiliate) in a small bowl and whisk for 30 seconds. 

    After the pan is prepared and the sauce is mixed, sprinkle the nuts, if using, evenly around the bottom of the sprayed bundt pan. Then place 11 of the Rhodes dinner rolls touching in a single layer around the bottom of the pan. Scoop a little bit of sauce onto the top of the rolls. (See picture 1)

    Then place six frozen yeast rolls around the inside edge and 7 around the outside edge of the pan. (See picture 2)

    Step-by-step instructions for making monkey bread.
    After a quick 10 minute assembly, these frozen rolls rise overnight. Great when you need something ready to throw in the oven for a freshly baked breakfast treat.

    Finish by spreading the remaining brown sugar mixture across the tops of the rolls. (See picture 3)

    Place a piece of plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray over the top of the bundt pan. Then allow the rolls to rise overnight using one of these options:

    1. Overnight: Once assembled, allow the rolls to sit on the counter (or other warm place) at room temperature for 3 hours. Then place in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours.
    2. 24 Hours: Once assembled, place rolls in the fridge right away and allow the rolls to rise in the refrigerator for 20-24 hours. Proceed as step 6 instructs.
    3. Same Day: If you want to make this the day of instead of overnight, you need a really early start. Once assembled, allow rolls to rise in a warm place at room temperature for 5-6 hours (our kitchen was about 78 degrees when we tested this). Then bake as instructed. Since this is best served warm, I highly recommend the overnight method to avoid getting up at the crack of dawn.

    The next morning, remove the pan from the refrigerator. The rolls should be nice and fluffy (see picture 4) before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If you want to ensure that the sauce doesn't drip onto the oven, place a baking sheet underneath the bundt pan.  

    Once the oven is at temperature allow the monkey bread to bake for 27-30 minutes. Test for doneness by gently pulling apart 2 of the rolls from each other. The middle should be cooked through. 

    Allow the easy Rhodes Monkey Bread (w/ butterscotch pudding) to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then invert onto a serving dish or large plate. The timing is very important! If it is dumped out too soon the sauce won’t stick to the bread, and if it is left in the pan too long it will get stuck. 

    Once the pan is removed, drizzle caramel sauce that is remaining in the bundt pan over the top. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before enjoying that gooey monkey bread. It is best served within an hour of baking. 

    Nuts on top of frozen rolls made into monkey bread with sauce dripping down the side.
    Allowing the monkey bread to cool slightly in the bundt cake pan will ensure that the sauce is still warm enough to drip down the sides and cover every inch of the rolls.

    🍽 How to serve Rhodes rolls monkey bread

    Serve Rhodes Monkey Bread warm for the best texture. It can be pulled apart or it can be sliced into individual pieces. The perfect breakfast treat!

    Piece of pull apart monkey bread with walnuts and butterscotch sauce.
    Monkey bread is best served warm when the caramelly sauce is still gooey.

    🙋 Questions and Answers

    Do I need to thaw the frozen rolls first?

    No, start with frozen rolls. They will thaw during the overnight thawing process.

    Do I need to let the dough rise?

    To get the fluffy texture you see in the pictures, you need to allow the rolls to rise. There are a few different rising options listed in the recipe card.

    How to make monkey bread without a bundt cake pan?

    This easy Rhodes Monkey Bread (w/ butterscotch pudding) recipe can be made in a bundt cake pan, tube pan, or 2 loaf pans. For the loaf pans divide the ingredients equally between the pans. Also, the baking time might be different. Start checking at 25 minutes.

    How to tell when monkey bread is done?

    The best way to tell that monkey bread is done is to use a butter knife and gently pull two of the bubbles apart from each other. Check to see that it looks cooked through. There shouldn’t be any wet doughy sections. The sauce might be wet, but the dough should be cooked through.

    How to store monkey bread? How long will it last?

    Monkey bread is best stored in an airtight container overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 3 days.

    How to reheat monkey bread?

    For a single piece of monkey bread a few seconds in the microwave will do. I do not recommend reheating the monkey bread as a whole.

    Monkey bread on cake stand with puddle of caramel sauce.
    Whether you call it bubble bread or monkey bread, this recipe has perfected this long standing traditional breakfast. Try it on Christmas morning!

    👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

    • Don’t leave the frozen bread dough out at room temperature for too long or it will rise too much. Dough balls that rise too long aren't quite as fluffy and tender. 
    • It will probably rise over the edge of the pan during the baking process. It might even be a little uneven. Don’t worry. This is the bottom and once it is flipped over the monkey bread looks even and beautiful!
    • It’s done when the frozen roll dough is golden brown and is cooked through.

    📖 Other breakfast recipes

    • Breakfast bake with bacon and green chilis
    • Chicken sausages in maple glaze
    • Oven baked bacon
    • 2 Ingredient Honey Butter Syrup
    • Simple Buttermilk Pancakes
    • Soft Lemon Cream Scones

    👋🏻 Connect with us!

    If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food!

    📋 Recipe

    Overhead of overnight monkey bread on a white cake plate.

    EASY Rhodes Monkey Bread (w/ butterscotch pudding)

    This Easy Rhodes Monkey Bread (w/ butterscotch pudding) uses frozen dough to make the best cinnamon pull-apart bubble bread! Drenched in a gooey, ultra-smooth sauce, this perfected version of your favorite breakfast treat can be made overnight or on the day-of with just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on time. Perfect for any busy day, but especially great for Christmas morning!
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Rising Time: 11 hours
    Total Time: 9 hours 40 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 576kcal
    Author: Borrowed Bites

    Equipment

    • 10 inch Bundt cake pan (10-15 cup capacity) *If the pan is too small the monkey bread will overflow.

    Ingredients

    • baking spray
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • ¾ cup brown sugar packed
    • 1 box cook & serve butterscotch pudding 3.5 ounce
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ cup walnuts, chopped optional
    • 24 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls 38 gram size
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Spray 10-inch bundt cake pan with non-stick baking spray containing flour. Combine cream, brown sugar, pudding mix, and cinnamon in a small mixing bowl. Whisk for 30 seconds.
      ½ cup heavy cream, ¾ cup brown sugar, 1 box cook & serve butterscotch pudding, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, baking spray
    • If using, sprinkle nuts evenly around bottom of the bundt pan. Place 11 frozen rolls touching in a single layer on bottom of pan. Add 1 teaspoon of sauce mixture onto the top of each of the rolls.
      ½ cup walnuts, chopped, 24 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls
    • Then add 6 more dough balls to the inside edge of the pan and 7 to the outside edge. Top with the remaining sauce.
    • Cover with a piece of plastic wrap that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
    • Allow to sit on the counter, or other warm place, for three hours. Just long enough to allow the rolls to start thawing. Then place in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours or until the rolls have almost doubled in size. (For other options see the notes below.)
    • The next morning, remove monkey bread from refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350°. Pro tip: Place a cookie sheet on the bottom rack to catch any drips from the bundt pan.
    • Bake the monkey bread for 27-30 minutes. It is done when the rolls are golden brown and when gently pulled apart rolls are cooked through. They may rise pretty high - this is normal. If the rolls are getting too golden before it is finished cooking through, you can tent it loosely with foil near the end of the baking time.
    • Allow to cool for 15 minutes in the pan then invert onto a serving platter. Scrape any excess sauce from the bottom of the pan onto the baked bread. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, then serve warm.
    • We love comments! Please come back and leave us one after you’ve tried this recipe.

    Notes

    Tips & Tricks 
    • Don’t leave the frozen bread dough out at room temperature for too long or it will rise too much. Dough balls that rise too long aren't quite as fluffy and tender. 
    • It will probably rise over the edge of the pan during the baking process. It might even be a little uneven. Don’t worry. This is the bottom and once it is flipped over the monkey bread looks even and beautiful!
    • It’s done when the frozen roll dough is golden brown and is cooked through.
     
    Rising Options: 
    There are three options for allowing the rolls to rise. The first overnight one is the preferred method, but each will work. 
    1. Overnight: Once assembled, allow the rolls to sit on the counter (or other warm place) at room temperature for 3 hours. Then place in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours.
    2. 24 Hours: Once assembled, place rolls in the fridge right away and allow the rolls to rise in the refrigerator for 20-24 hours. Proceed as step 6 instructs.
    3. Same Day: If you want to make this the day of instead of overnight, you need a really early start. Once assembled, allow rolls to rise in a warm place at room temperature for 5-6 hours (our kitchen was about 78 degrees when we tested this). Then bake as instructed. Since this is best served warm, I highly recommend the overnight method to avoid getting up at the crack of dawn.
    4.  

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 92g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 764mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 221IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 5mg

    All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a rating or pin it for later!

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • Moist Apple Scones with Maple Glaze
    • Soft Lemon Scones (w/ lemon glaze!)
    • TRIPLE Chocolate Bread
    • Chicken Apple Sausage Appetizers with Maple Glaze
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Deborah says

      January 07, 2023 at 7:11 pm

      5 stars
      Monkey bread had been a Christmas morning tradition in our home for many years. Funny, I’ve never had a recipe that I’ve saved and am always searching for one a couple of days before Christmas. I came across this recipe and decided to try it because the addition of heavy cream was different than I’d used before. Well, everyone raved! My son even asked what I did differently and said they were so good! Thank you, thank you, thank you! BTW- I’ve saved this recipe so I don’t have to search next year. 😉

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        January 08, 2023 at 3:43 pm

        Wow! Thanks you so very much for taking the time to let us know! It truly makes our day! Happy Eating!

        Reply
    2. Liz says

      April 05, 2022 at 2:33 pm

      Can I use an angel food cake pan instead of a Bundt pan?

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        April 05, 2022 at 4:04 pm

        Since I haven't tried that before I can't promise how it will turn out, but it seems like it should work. Just be sure that the pan holds at least 10 cups. If you give it a try we would love to hear how it turns out.

        Reply
    3. 2cairnterriers says

      January 25, 2022 at 6:26 am

      4 stars
      so i was tempted to try this recipe b/c it uses heavy cream vs butter. i don't like it; i'll go back to my stand-by. true that the "caramel" is creamy & not gritty… it's also easier to just dump the cream, pudding mix, & brown sugar, whisk up & pour over rolls, where using butter requires the hassle of melting it. but i think i'm just too used to the gritty "caramel" and like the buttery taste... the cream doesn't agree with me. additionally, i used only 13 frozen rolls total, so that out of the 36 in one bag, i can bake another pan. it turned out to be plenty.

      Reply

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