Blueberry Monkey Bread: A Cozy Sweet Treat for Any Gathering Recipe
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
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)
- 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.
- Mix Dough Ingredients: Add the melted unsalted butter and the beaten egg to the yeast mixture. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Form the Dough: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- 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.
- Punch Down and Divide: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into small, evenly sized pieces.
- 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.
- Layer with Blueberries: In a greased bundt pan, layer the sugared dough pieces alternated with fresh blueberries at intervals, building up the layers evenly.
- 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.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the monkey bread in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and cooked through.
- 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