Blueberry Monkey Bread: A Cozy Sweet Treat for Any Gathering Recipe

Introduction

Blueberry Monkey Bread is a wonderfully cozy and sweet treat that’s perfect for any gathering. Its soft, buttery dough combined with bursts of fresh blueberries creates an irresistible pull-apart pastry everyone will love. Whether for breakfast or dessert, this recipe is sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute)
• 1 cup Warm Milk (Any dairy or plant-based milk works)
• 2 tablespoons Sugar (Brown sugar can be used for richer flavor)
• 1 packet Active Dry Yeast (Ensure it’s fresh for best results)
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Melted, for dough richness)
• 1 large Egg (Substitute with applesauce or a flax egg for egg-free option)
• 2 cups Fresh Blueberries (Use frozen if fresh is unavailable)
• 4 tablespoons Melted Butter (Essential for sticking dough pieces together)
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar (Cinnamon can be added for extra flavor)
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (For a warm, flavorful twist)
• Cream Cheese (Optional filling between dough pieces)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large warm bowl, combine the yeast, warm milk, and sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and foamy.
2. Step 2: Add the melted butter and beaten egg to the yeast mixture, stirring until smooth and well combined.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid adding all the flour at once to prevent dryness.
4. Step 4: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Step 5: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: After rising, punch down the dough and divide it into small pieces, about the size of a walnut.
7. Step 7: Coat each piece in melted butter, then roll it in the granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon if using.
8. Step 8: Layer the coated dough pieces with fresh blueberries—and cream cheese if desired—in a greased bundt pan, creating even layers.
9. Step 9: Cover the pan and let the dough pieces rise for another 30 minutes to puff up slightly.
10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
11. Step 11: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
12. Step 12: Serve the monkey bread warm for the best experience, enjoying the pull-apart texture and fruity bursts.

Tips & Variations

• Use frozen blueberries if fresh are out of season; just do not thaw them to avoid excess moisture.
• Add a little lemon zest to the dough or sugar coating for a bright, fresh flavor.
• For an egg-free version, substitute the egg with 1/4 cup applesauce or a flax egg.
• Swirl in cream cheese between layers for a rich, tangy surprise inside the bread.
• Try sprinkling nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch.

Storage

Store leftover blueberry monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm it in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through, about 10-15 minutes, to restore its soft texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the dough pieces in the bundt pan, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature and rise slightly before baking the next day.

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Absolutely. Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer without thawing to prevent the dough from becoming too wet during assembly.

Blueberry Monkey Bread: A Cozy Sweet Treat for Any Gathering Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 149 reviews

Blueberry Monkey Bread is a delightful, pull-apart sweet treat perfect for gatherings or cozy mornings. This soft, buttery bread is infused with fresh blueberries and a cinnamon-sugar coating, offering a warm, flavorful twist on classic monkey bread. Easy to assemble and bake, it’s sure to please family and friends alike.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 4 cups All-Purpose Flour (Gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute)
• 1 cup Warm Milk (Any dairy or plant-based milk works)
• 2 tablespoons Sugar (Brown sugar can be used for richer flavor)
• 1 packet Active Dry Yeast (Ensure it’s fresh for best results)
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Melted, for dough richness)
• 1 large Egg (Substitute with applesauce or a flax egg for egg-free option)

Filling and Coating

• 2 cups Fresh Blueberries (Use frozen if fresh is unavailable)
• 4 tablespoons Melted Butter (For sticking dough pieces together)
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar (Cinnamon can be added for extra flavor)
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (For warm, flavorful twist)
• Cream Cheese (Optional filling between dough pieces)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a large warm bowl, combine the active dry yeast, warm milk, and sugar. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly, indicating that the yeast is active.
2. Mix Dough Ingredients: Add the melted unsalted butter and the beaten egg to the yeast mixture. Stir until smooth and well combined.
3. Form the Dough: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead the Dough: On a floured surface, knead the dough for 5-8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place it into a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
5. Punch Down and Divide: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into small, evenly sized pieces.
6. Coat Dough Pieces: Dip each dough piece into melted butter, then roll it in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon for extra flavor. Optionally, place cream cheese between some pieces for a luscious surprise.
7. Layer with Blueberries: In a greased bundt pan, layer the sugared dough pieces alternated with fresh blueberries at intervals, building up the layers evenly.
8. Second Rise: Cover the bundt pan with a towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise again for 30 minutes to ensure a light, fluffy texture.
9. Preheat Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
10. Bake: Bake the monkey bread in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and cooked through.
11. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Then invert onto a serving plate and serve warm, enjoying the pull-apart texture and blueberry bursts.

Notes

• For a dairy-free option, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
• You can use frozen blueberries if fresh ones are not available; just thaw and drain excess liquid.
• Adding cinnamon to the sugar coating enhances the flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
• Cream cheese filling is optional but adds a creamy contrast to the sweet bread.
• Make sure the yeast is fresh to ensure proper rising of the dough.
• Serve warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
• This recipe can be adapted for gluten-free diets by using gluten-free flour blends.

Keywords: blueberry monkey bread, sweet pull-apart bread, blueberry dessert, cinnamon sugar bread, cozy breakfast bread, berry monkey bread