This Sourdough Discard Monkey Bread is a fun and tasty treat! It’s made with sweet dough, cinnamon, and buttery goodness, perfect to share with family or friends.
Making this pull-apart bread is like a fun little project. As you tear off a piece, you’ll be greeted by warm cinnamon swirls—so delicious! I love enjoying it fresh out of the oven, with a cup of coffee.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Sourdough Discard: This is the star ingredient. It adds flavor and moisture. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use plain yogurt or buttermilk, though the flavor will differ slightly.
Active Dry Yeast: If your sourdough discard is active and bubbly, you can skip the yeast. If not, use it to help the dough rise. Instant yeast works too, just adjust the amounts as needed.
All-Purpose Flour: Standard flour works well here. You can substitute with whole wheat flour, but the texture will be denser. A mix of both can also work nicely.
Cinnamon: This gives the dough its warm flavor. If you’re a fan of spices, feel free to add nutmeg or cardamom for an extra depth!
Brown Sugar: For the caramel sauce, brown sugar is key for that rich flavor. If you don’t have it, white sugar mixed with a bit of molasses can do the trick.
How Do You Knead Dough Properly?
Kneading dough is essential for building gluten, which gives structure. Here’s a simple way to do it:
- Lightly flour your working surface.
- Flatten the dough slightly with your palm, then fold it over itself.
- Push the dough away with the heel of your hand, then fold again.
- Rotate the dough a quarter turn and repeat. Do this for 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
If you have a stand mixer, it can handle this for you! Just combine the ingredients and let it knead on low speed for about 5-7 minutes.
What’s the Best Way to Assemble the Monkey Bread?
Assembling the dough balls for monkey bread is part of the fun! The key is to make sure each piece is well-coated in butter and cinnamon sugar:
- After dividing the dough into balls, take each piece and dip it in melted butter first.
- Then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Layer the balls in a bundt or tube pan. Make it random to create a beautiful, gooey result!
This method ensures that each piece bakes evenly and absorbs all the delicious flavors. Don’t be shy with the caramel sauce, it brings everything together! Enjoy making this delightful treat!
Sourdough Discard Monkey Bread Cinnamon Pull Apart
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the dough:
- 1 cup sourdough discard (unfed)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (if sourdough discard is not very active)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup whole milk (warm)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
For rolling the dough balls:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the caramel sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup (optional but adds shine and smoothness)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp sourdough discard (adds a subtle tang, optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious monkey bread requires about 20 minutes for preparation, and then 1.5 to 2 hours for the dough to rise, plus 30-35 minutes for baking. Plan for a total time of around 2 to 2.5 hours, including cooling and drizzling with caramel sauce before serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, mix together warm milk and sourdough discard. If you’re using active dry yeast, add it now. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it’s bubbly and foamy—this gives your dough a great rise!
2. Combine Ingredients:
Add the granulated sugar, salt, melted butter, and egg into the bubbly mixture. Stir everything together until combined.
3. Mix in the Flour:
Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing with a spoon or a dough hook until you have a soft and slightly sticky dough. If it’s too sticky, you can add a little more flour, but avoid adding too much.
4. Knead the Dough:
On a floured surface, knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer, let it do the work with a dough hook for about 5-7 minutes.
5. Let It Rise:
Place your dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size—about 1-2 hours.
6. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar and Butter:
In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together. In another bowl, melt the butter for rolling the dough balls.
7. Shape the Dough Balls:
After the dough has risen, punch it down, then divide it into small pieces about 1 to 1 ½ inches in size. Roll each piece into a ball, dipping it in melted butter first, then rolling it in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
8. Arrange in the Pan:
Grease a bundt or tube pan generously with butter. Layer the coated dough balls in the pan, stacking them as you go. This creates a beautiful pull-apart bread!
9. Make the Caramel Sauce:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the half cup of unsalted butter. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and mix in vanilla extract and sourdough discard (if using).
10. Combine and Rise Again:
Pour half of the caramel sauce over the dough balls in the pan, saving the rest for later. Cover the pan loosely with a towel and allow it to rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
11. Preheat and Bake:
While the dough rises, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once ready, bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes until it is golden brown. If it’s browning too quickly, simply tent it with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
12. Cool and Serve:
Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto a serving plate. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce all over this warm, gooey masterpiece.
13. Enjoy!
Serve warm and let everyone pull apart their own chunks of this delightful cinnamon-sugar bread. Enjoy each soft, buttery bite!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but keep in mind that the texture will be denser. A mix of both flours can create a nice balance and still keep it light.
What Should I Do If My Dough Doesn’t Rise?
If your dough doesn’t rise, it could be due to inactive yeast or a cold environment. Make sure your yeast is fresh, and try placing the dough in a warmer spot, like in an oven with just the light on or near a heating vent.
How Long Can I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, it can be frozen! Just wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I Add Other Flavors or Ingredients?
Absolutely! You can mix in chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits to the dough for added flavor. You could also try different spices like nutmeg or allspice instead of cinnamon for a unique twist!
