Monkey Muffins Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate pull-apart breakfast treat, look no further than Monkey Muffins. These sweet, cinnamon-kissed delights bring the playful spirit of classic monkey bread to individual muffin form, making them irresistible for kids and adults alike. Each muffin features gooey, golden biscuit bites drenched in a buttery brown sugar sauce, with the option for crunchy nutty surprises and a sugary glaze on top. Whether you’re whipping them up for brunch, a cozy snack, or dessert, Monkey Muffins promise to disappear in no time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Monkey Muffins rely on simple pantry staples, but don’t let that fool you—every ingredient plays a starring role in creating perfect layers of texture and flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why each item matters:
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (1 tube, 16 ounces): The fluffy, pull-apart base that creates tender muffin bites without any kneading or proofing.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds the first touch of sweetness and helps crisp the biscuit edges.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Delivers that signature warmth and bakery-style aroma.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Coats the muffins with luscious richness, while helping caramelize the sugar.
- Brown sugar (½ cup, packed): Melts with butter to create the sticky, decadent sauce that soaks into every bite.
- Optional toppings: chopped pecans or walnuts: Lend crunch and a nutty contrast to the soft, gooey muffins.
- Powdered sugar glaze: For those who like a sweet drizzle to finish things off with a flourish.
How to Make Monkey Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin and Oven
Before you get started, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for action. Give a 12-cup muffin tin a light coating of nonstick spray or butter—this guarantees your Monkey Muffins release easily and keep their beautiful shape.
Step 2: Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
Mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This mixture is what gives each piece of biscuit its irresistibly crisp, caramelized edge and cozy flavor. Set aside and get ready for some dunking!
Step 3: Cut and Coat the Biscuits
Pop open your biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into four bite-sized pieces. Roll every piece in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, making sure they’re totally covered for maximum flavor. If you love nuts, drop a few chopped pecans or walnuts into the bottom of each muffin cup before adding the biscuit bites.
Step 4: Layer in the Muffin Cups
Evenly divide all the coated biscuit pieces among your muffin cups. This is where the magic happens—once baked, the layers mingle and caramelize, turning soft centers surrounded by crisp, golden edges.
Step 5: Make the Brown Sugar Butter Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and syrupy. This step only takes a minute or two—but be sure to stir constantly to avoid burning. Spoon about one tablespoon of this mixture over each muffin cup, ensuring every Monkey Muffin gets its share of gooey sweetness.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your muffin tin into the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and bubbling. The aroma? Out of this world! Let the muffins cool for about five minutes before gently easing them out—this helps the caramel sauce set up and makes for easier removal.
Step 7: Top and Serve Monkey Muffins
Serve your Monkey Muffins warm for the ultimate gooey texture. Optionally, drizzle with a quick powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness and a bakery-style finish. Every bite is soft, golden, and impossible to resist!
How to Serve Monkey Muffins
Garnishes
A little garnish goes a long way! Dust your Monkey Muffins with a bit of powdered sugar for a pretty, snowy effect, or drizzle with a quick powdered sugar glaze while they’re still warm. If you tossed some nuts in the bottom before baking, they’ll peek through on top for a lovely crunch and pretty presentation.
Side Dishes
Monkey Muffins are delicious on their own, but round them out with fresh fruit, creamy yogurt, or scrambled eggs for breakfast. For a sweet snack or dessert spread, serve alongside a cup of coffee, chai, or hot cocoa—these flavors sing together!
Creative Ways to Present
Turn Monkey Muffins into a showstopper brunch centerpiece: arrange them in a pyramid on a cake stand and let guests pull them apart. Or, pack them slightly warm in parchment wrappers for a grab-and-go option at picnics or potlucks. You can even tuck a mini chocolate chip or jam into the center of each biscuit bite for a fun surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you actually have leftover Monkey Muffins (it’s rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The caramel and glaze may soften the tops, but a quick reheat brings them right back to life.
Freezing
Monkey Muffins freeze beautifully! Once cooled, wrap each individually in plastic wrap, then gather in a freezer bag or airtight container. They keep well for up to 2 months. Simply thaw at room temperature when you need a sweet pick-me-up or brunch treat in a flash.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven experience, reheat Monkey Muffins in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 8–10 minutes, or pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds. If glazing after reheating, drizzle the glaze right before serving so it stays glossy and vibrant.
FAQs
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of refrigerated?
Absolutely! If you’ve got a favorite homemade biscuit recipe, just make sure to cut the dough into similar-sized pieces and follow the same coating and layering steps. The texture may vary a bit, but the flavor will be fantastic.
Are Monkey Muffins freezer-friendly with the glaze?
It’s best to freeze the muffins without the glaze. Add glaze after thawing and reheating for the best appearance and taste—this keeps the topping from becoming sticky or weeping in the freezer.
Can I swap cinnamon for other spices?
Definitely! Pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or even a mix of nutmeg and cardamom can all be substituted for cinnamon for fun seasonal variations. Just make sure the spices complement the sweetness of the dough and sugar.
Will gluten-free biscuit dough work?
Gluten-free biscuit dough can be used, although the structure may be a bit more fragile. Grease your muffin tin generously and monitor the bake time, as gluten-free doughs sometimes cook more quickly.
What’s the best glaze for Monkey Muffins?
A simple powdered sugar glaze with a splash of milk and vanilla is classic. Thin it for an elegant drizzle, or make it thicker for a rich, frosted top. Lemon or orange zest in the glaze can also add a pop of brightness.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried Monkey Muffins yet, you’re missing out on one of the coziest and most crowd-pleasing treats around. They’re joyful to make, a breeze to share, and the kind of recipe that reliably puts big smiles on everyone at the table. Give them a try and get ready for lots of happy requests for seconds!
Print
Monkey Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Monkey Muffins are delightful pull-apart treats made with biscuit dough coated in cinnamon sugar, baked to golden perfection, and drizzled with a sweet glaze. These indulgent muffins are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Biscuit Dough:
- 1 tube (16 ounces) refrigerated biscuit dough
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Butter-Sugar Mixture:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Powdered sugar glaze
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Coat Biscuit Pieces: Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Add Nuts: Optionally add chopped nuts to the bottom of each muffin cup.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the coated biscuit pieces among the muffin cups.
- Make Butter-Sugar Mixture: Melt butter and brown sugar, then spoon over each muffin cup.
- Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Cool for 5 minutes, then remove from the pan. Enjoy warm or with a powdered sugar glaze.
Notes
- You can make these extra indulgent by adding mini chocolate chips between biscuit layers.
- For a seasonal variation, try using pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon in the fall.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
