Best Americas Test Kitchen Monkey Bread Recipes

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AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN MONKEY BREAD



America's Test Kitchen Monkey Bread image

Most of the monkey bread recipes I've seen call for store-bought biscuit dough. This is a delicious alternative for those of us who love to bake bread from scratch.

Provided by Andrea G.

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 3h

Yield 1 cake, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk, warm (about 110 degrees)
1/3 cup water, warm (about 110 degrees)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/4 ounces fast rise yeast (1 envelope)
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for work surface
2 teaspoons table salt
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • For the Dough: Adjust oven rack to medium-low position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off. Butter Bundt pan with 2 tablespoons softened butter. Set aside.
  • In large measuring cup, mix together milk, water, melted butter, sugar, and yeast. Mix flour and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook, (see below for making Monkey Bread without a mixer). Turn machine to low and slowly add milk mixture. After dough comes together, increase speed to medium and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, 6 to 7 minutes. Turn dough onto lightly floured counter and knead briefly to form smooth, round ball. Coat large bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Place dough in bowl and coat surface of dough with cooking spray. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in warm oven until dough doubles in size, 50 to 60 minutes.
  • For the Sugar Coating: While dough is rising, mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in bowl. Place melted butter in second bowl. Set aside.
  • To Form the Bread: Gently remove dough from bowl, and pat into rough 8-inch square. Using bench scraper or knife, cut dough into 64 pieces.
  • Roll each dough piece into a ball. Working one at a time, dip balls in melted butter, allowing excess butter to drip back into bowl. Roll in brown sugar mixture, then layer balls in Bundt pan, staggering seams where dough balls meet as you build layers.
  • Cover Bundt pan tightly with plastic wrap and place in turned-off oven until dough balls are puffy and have risen 1 to 2 inches from top of pan, 50 to 70 minutes.
  • Remove pan from oven and heat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap pan and bake until top is deep brown and caramel begins to bubble around edges, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then turn out on platter and allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
  • For the glaze: While bread cools, whisk confectioners' sugar and milk in small bowl until lumps are gone. Using whisk, drizzle glaze over warm monkey bread, letting it run over top and sides of bread. Serve warm.
  • Monkey Bread Without a Mixer: In step 2, mix flour and salt in large bowl. Make well in flour, then add milk mixture to well. Using wooden spoon, stir until dough becomes shaggy and is difficult to stir. Turn out onto lightly floured work surface and begin to knead, incorporating shaggy scraps back into dough. Knead until dough is smooth and satiny, about 10 minutes. Shape into taut ball and proceed as directed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 765.5, Fat 26.2, SaturatedFat 15.8, Cholesterol 67.5, Sodium 818.7, Carbohydrate 123.2, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 63.7, Protein 13.1

BUTTERSCOTCH MONKEY BREAD



Butterscotch Monkey Bread image

My favorite breakfast growing up and to this day!

Provided by KSU_brett

Categories     Breakfast and Brunch     Breakfast Bread Recipes

Time 8h30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 6

22 frozen dinner rolls
½ cup margarine, cut into pieces
1 (3.5 ounce) package cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix
½ cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
¾ cup milk

Steps:

  • Arrange dinner rolls in a tube pan. Scatter margarine pieces evenly over rolls.
  • Mix pudding mix, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl; pour over rolls. Place a towel over tube pan and all dough to rise overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Pour milk over risen dough, allowing milk to seep through any gaps.
  • Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 23 minutes. Allow bread to rest for 5 minutes. Invert pan onto a baking sheet or large plate to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368.5 calories, Carbohydrate 55.6 g, Cholesterol 4.2 mg, Fat 12.5 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 8.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 530.4 mg, Sugar 19.7 g

SLOW-COOKER MONKEY BREAD



Slow-Cooker Monkey Bread image

I often take this slow-cooker monkey bread to church potlucks-children and adults love it! The rum extract is optional. -Lisa Leaper, Worthington, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Snacks

Time 2h50m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
4 tubes (6 ounces each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, quartered
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon rum extract
Toasted chopped pecans, optional

Steps:

  • Line a 5-qt. slow cooker with a piece of aluminum foil, letting ends extend up the sides. Grease foil., Combine the sugars, cinnamon and allspice in a large bowl; sprinkle 3 tablespoons sugar mixture in bottom of prepared slow cooker. Add biscuit pieces to bowl; toss to coat. Transfer coated biscuits to slow cooker; sprinkle any remaining sugar mixture over biscuits. , Stir together butter, apple juice and extracts; pour over biscuits. , Cook, covered, on low 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Remove lid and let stand for 10 minutes. Carefully invert onto serving platter. If desired, sprinkle with pecans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 473 calories, Fat 22g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 37mg cholesterol, Sodium 675mg sodium, Carbohydrate 68g carbohydrate (41g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 4g protein.

to America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen is a cooking show that has been airing for more than two decades. It is one of the most popular cooking shows in the US because of its unique approach to recipes. They test and perfect their recipes so that they are foolproof and easy to follow for home cooks. One of their most popular recipes is their monkey bread, which has become a household name. It is a recipe that has been around for a very long time, but America's Test Kitchen has perfected it to make it easier for their viewers.

What is Monkey Bread?

Before we delve into America's Test Kitchen's recipe, let's first discuss what monkey bread is. Monkey bread is a sweet, sticky, pull-apart bread that is made by rolling balls of dough in cinnamon sugar before baking. The dough is usually cut into small pieces, and then they are dipped in melted butter and coated in a cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. These pieces are then layered in a Bundt pan and baked to create a sticky, gooey, and delicious dessert.

America's Test Kitchen's Approach to Monkey Bread Recipe

America's Test Kitchen's approach to the classic monkey bread recipe is one that is unique and efficient. They believe in perfecting their recipes to ensure that they work every time. They have tested hundreds of monkey bread recipes and have come up with the perfect recipe. They start by testing how the yeast ferments, testing the amount of sugar, and testing the recipe with different types of flour. After all these tests, they have come up with the perfect recipe.
The Ingredients
For America's Test Kitchen's monkey bread, you will need the following ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
The Method
First, warm the milk, butter, and oil in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan until the butter is melted. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Next, add the warm milk mixture and the egg to the flour mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Let the dough rise, covered, until doubled in size. While the dough is rising, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl. After the dough has doubled in size, divide it into small pieces and roll them into balls, about the size of golf balls. Dip each ball in the melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Layer the balls in a greased Bundt pan, making sure to alternate between balls coated in cinnamon sugar and plain balls. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and allow the dough balls to rise for about 20 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Conclusion

America's Test Kitchen has perfected the classic monkey bread recipe, making it easier for home cooks to create a perfect batch every time. Their recipe is foolproof and easy to follow, ensuring that you get the perfect monkey bread every time you make it. So, next time you feel like having a sweet and sticky dessert, give this recipe a try!
Monkey bread is a delectable, pull-apart pastry that has been capturing the hearts and tastebuds of Americans for decades now. Made from a soft, doughy base that is coated in cinnamon sugar and baked to golden perfection, monkey bread is a perfect breakfast treat or dessert. And, if you’re looking to make perfect monkey bread at home, there’s no better place to turn to than America’s Test Kitchen. With its founder and editor-in-chief, Chris Kimball's culinary expertise, ATK offers some great monkey bread recipes with some invaluable tips to make that perfect monkey bread. In this article, we will detail some tips and tricks that will help you make the perfect monkey bread using America's Test Kitchen monkey bread recipes.

Use high-quality ingredients

As with any recipe, the quality of your ingredients will determine the final outcome of your dish. For instance, if you're making a classic monkey bread recipe, you'll need to use high-quality all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, milk, and yeast. Using fresh or high-quality ingredients will also ensure that your dough rises well, making it nice and fluffy. So, be sure to use the best ingredients you can find, and that too in the right proportions.

Mix the dough properly

Mixing your dough correctly will determine just how soft, fluffy, and delicious your monkey bread turns out to be. When kneading your dough, remember to mix it for at least 10 minutes. During this time, the gluten in the flour will develop, giving rise to a soft, pillowy dough that won't dry out or become too dense.
Use a stand mixer
Mixing dough by hand can be a bit of a chore, especially if you're working with a large batch of dough. Therefore it's advised that you use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment when making monkey bread. With a stand mixer, you can mix your dough faster and more evenly than if you're doing it by hand, without tiring out your wrists and arms.
Use warm ingredients
When it comes to mixing your dough, ensure that all your ingredients are at room temperature for the dough to rise. For example, if the recipe calls for milk, butter, or eggs, you'll want to take them out of the refrigerator at least an hour before you start mixing your dough. Cold ingredients don't mix well with yeast and can cause your bread to have a flat or tough texture.
Allow the dough to proof
After making your dough, allow it to proof until it has doubled in size. This process can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity of your kitchen. To ensure that your dough proofing is done efficiently, cover it with a damp cloth and place it in a warm, draft-free area.

Coating the dough

After your dough has proofed, it's time to roll it into small balls that will become the monkey bread pieces. After rolling, you’ll need to coat each ball with a delicious mixture of cinnamon and sugar. When it comes to dealing with the sticky dough, it's often easier to use buttered or oiled hands to roll and coat the dough.
Prepare the pan first
Before you start rolling your dough into balls, it is important to prepare your baking pan. Butter or grease the pan well to ensure the monkey bread doesn't stick. While this step may seem minor, it can make or break the final outcome of your monkey bread.
Use a mixture of cinnamon and sugar
When coating your monkey bread dough, you'll want to create a mix of cinnamon and sugar that is proportioned correctly. You can pop your dough balls into the mixture in batches and ensure they are evenly coated. For best results, use a 50:50 mixture of cinnamon and sugar, and also add some ginger or nutmeg to the spice mix.
Use a bundt pan
Monkey bread should be baked in a bundt pan to ensure that the finished product is perfectly caramelized outside and fluffy inside. A bundt pan also makes it easier to remove the bread from the pan once it is ready to eat.

How to bake the monkey bread

Once your dough is coated and placed into the bundt pan, it's time to bake your monkey bread. The cooking time can vary, so you'll need to check often to ensure that it is perfectly baked.
Cover the bundt pan
When baking monkey bread, it's important to cover the bundt pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper during the initial stages of baking. The cover helps to trap the heat, which helps the dough rise and prevents the monkey bread from burning on the outside.
Bake and check the monkey bread regularly
After covering the monkey bread, bake it for a few minutes before removing the cover. Leave the monkey bread uncovered for the remainder of the cooking time to ensure that the top is perfectly golden brown. You'll have to check the bread regularly to ensure that it's not burning or overcooking.
Allow the bread to cool before serving
Once the monkey bread is out of the oven, let it cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove it. Once cooled, gently loosen the edges of the bread from the pan using a knife and flip it over onto a serving dish. Dust the bread with powdered sugar or drizzle caramel sauce on top before serving.

Conclusion

Monkey bread is a classic pastry that can be enjoyed at breakfast or dessert. By using America's Test Kitchen monkey bread recipes and the tips above, you can create a perfect, delicious monkey bread at home. Use the best ingredients you can find, mix your dough correctly, ensure your pan is greased, and watch the baking time carefully. With these tips, you are sure to make a monkey bread that is fluffy, flavorful, and irresistible!

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