Almond Cream Monkey Bread
Indulge in the ultimate treat with this Almond Cream Monkey Bread, where soft, fluffy dough is wrapped around a rich almond cream filling. Baked to perfection, this pull-apart bread is served warm and drizzled with an easy homemade salted caramel sauce, making it an irresistible treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
All-purpose flour
Baking Powder
Baking soda
Salt
Greek yogurt
Salted butter
Granulated sugar
Cinnamon
Almond flour
Egg
Almond extract
Vanilla extract
Sliced almonds
Coconut oil
Almond butter
Maple syrup
Why You’ll Love Almond Cream Monkey Bread:
Soft and Fluffy Texture: The Greek yogurt dough, made with homemade self-rising flour, ensures that each piece of monkey bread is soft, fluffy, and tender, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Rich Almond Cream Filling: The decadent almond cream filling adds a luxurious flavor and texture to every bite, making this monkey bread a standout treat.
Easy Homemade Salted Caramel: Drizzled with a homemade salted caramel sauce, this monkey bread offers the perfect balance of sweet and salty, elevating it to a gourmet level.
Simple Ingredients: Made with basic ingredients like Greek yogurt and homemade self-rising flour, this recipe is easy to put together without requiring any fancy or hard-to-find components.
Versatile Enjoyment: Whether served for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this almond cream monkey bread is perfect for any occasion, making it a versatile addition to your recipe collection.
Quick and Easy Dough: The Greek yogurt dough comes together quickly and doesn’t require yeast, saving you time and making it an ideal recipe for spontaneous baking.
Kid-Friendly: The pull-apart nature of monkey bread makes it fun for kids and adults alike, and the sweet almond cream filling is sure to be a hit with everyone.
Perfect for Sharing: This monkey bread is designed for sharing, making it an excellent choice for family gatherings, holiday breakfasts, or special brunches with friends.
Warm and Comforting: Served warm with gooey caramel, this monkey bread is the epitome of comfort food, providing a cozy, satisfying treat that’s hard to resist.
Customizable: You can easily customize this monkey bread by adding nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips to the dough, allowing you to tailor it to your taste preferences.
Tips for Making Almond Cream Monkey Bread:
Use Non-Fat or Full-Fat Greek Yogurt: Non-fat Greek yogurt works well in this recipe, keeping the dough light and adding a slight tang, while full-fat yogurt will add extra richness. Either option will yield soft, fluffy results.
Homemade Self-Rising Flour: Ensure you’re using 2 1/4 cups of homemade self-rising flour. To make this, combine 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour with 3 3/8 teaspoons of baking powder and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. This mixture will give your dough the perfect rise.
Mix the Dough Gently: Combine the Greek yogurt and self-rising flour just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can make the dough tough, so aim for a soft, slightly sticky consistency.
Layer the Dough Balls: Once you’ve divided the dough into balls and placed them in the bundt pan, make sure to layer them evenly. This ensures even baking and allows the almond cream to distribute nicely over the dough.
Scoop the Almond Cream on Top: Instead of filling the dough balls, scoop the almond cream filling on top of the dough balls once they’re layered in the pan. This method ensures that the almond cream melts and seeps into the dough during baking, creating a gooey, flavorful topping.
Chill the Almond Cream: If your almond cream filling is too soft, chill it for 15-20 minutes before scooping it on top of the dough. This will help it hold its shape better during baking.
Grease the Pan Generously: To prevent sticking and ensure easy release, thoroughly grease your bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray before adding the dough balls and almond cream.
Bake Until Golden: Bake the monkey bread until it’s golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. The top should be beautifully caramelized and slightly crisp.
Allow to Cool Slightly: Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes after baking. This makes it easier to invert onto a serving plate without losing any of the gooey almond cream topping.
Serve with Warm Salted Caramel: For the best flavor, drizzle warm, homemade salted caramel over the monkey bread just before serving. The combination of the gooey almond cream and salted caramel creates an irresistible treat.
Customize the Dough: Add a touch of almond extract to the dough for an extra burst of almond flavor, or sprinkle cinnamon over the dough balls before adding the almond cream for a hint of spice.
Reheating Leftovers: If you have leftovers, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back the warmth and gooey texture.
Can You Prepare Almond Cream Monkey Bread Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare almond cream monkey bread ahead of time by refrigerating the dough overnight to bake the next day!
Here's a general guideline for almond cream monkey bread ahead of time:
Prepare the Dough in Advance: You can make the Greek yogurt dough with homemade self-rising flour a day ahead. After mixing the dough, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows the dough to rest and develop a slightly better texture.
Shape the Dough Balls Early: If you want to save time in the morning, shape the dough into balls the night before. Place them in a well-greased pan, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
Make the Almond Cream Filling Ahead: The almond cream filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to assemble, scoop the filling directly onto the dough balls.
Assemble and Refrigerate: You can fully assemble the monkey bread by layering the dough balls in the pan and topping them with the almond cream filling. Cover the assembled monkey bread tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. This makes it easy to bake the next morning.
Allow the Dough to Come to Room Temperature: Before baking, let the assembled monkey bread sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the dough to warm up slightly, ensuring even baking.
Bake Straight from the Fridge: If you’re short on time, you can bake the monkey bread straight from the fridge. Just add an additional 5-10 minutes to the baking time to account for the chilled dough.
Prepare the Salted Caramel in Advance: The homemade salted caramel can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Warm it gently before drizzling over the warm monkey bread for serving.
Reheat Before Serving: If you’ve baked the monkey bread ahead of time, you can reheat it in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will refresh the texture and warm the almond cream and caramel.
Freeze for Longer Storage: If you want to make the monkey bread well in advance, you can freeze the assembled, unbaked bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Plan for Fresh Caramel: For the best flavor, make sure to prepare and drizzle the salted caramel just before serving. This ensures the caramel is warm and gooey when it hits the fresh, soft monkey bread.
How to Store Almond Cream Monkey Bread:
Room Temperature (Short-Term):
Duration: Up to 2 days
Method: Store the cooled almond cream monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it in a cool, dry place. If the weather is warm, it's best to store it in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.
Refrigeration (Medium-Term):
Duration: Up to 5 days
Method: After baking, allow the monkey bread to cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven until warm before serving.
Freezing (Long-Term):
Duration: Up to 2 months
Method: To freeze, wrap the cooled monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe airtight container. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Reheating:
Oven Method: Reheat the monkey bread in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore its softness and fluffiness. This method is ideal for larger portions or the entire bread.
Microwave Method: For individual servings, reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
Storing the Salted Caramel:
Refrigeration: Store the salted caramel sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before drizzling over the monkey bread.
Reassembling for Freshness:
Method: If storing for longer periods, consider storing the monkey bread and salted caramel separately. Reheat the monkey bread and drizzle fresh, warmed caramel sauce before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use non-fat Greek yogurt instead of full-fat?
A: Yes, non-fat Greek yogurt works well in this recipe and will still give you a soft, fluffy dough. Full-fat yogurt can add a bit more richness, but non-fat is a great option if you prefer a lighter version.
Q: Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. After mixing, store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, proceed with the recipe as directed.
Q: Should the almond cream filling be chilled before using?
A: It’s a good idea to chill the almond cream filling for about 15-20 minutes before scooping it onto the dough balls. This helps the filling hold its shape better during baking and ensures it melts evenly into the monkey bread.
Q: How do I prevent the monkey bread from sticking to the pan?
A: Generously grease your bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray before adding the dough balls and almond cream filling. This will help the monkey bread release easily after baking.
Q: Can I freeze the monkey bread?
A: Yes, you can freeze the baked monkey bread. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven before serving.
Q: How do I know when the monkey bread is done baking?
A: The monkey bread is done when it’s golden brown on top and a skewer inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. The almond cream should be caramelized and gooey.
Q: Can I add extra flavors to the dough or filling?
A: Absolutely! You can add a splash of almond extract to the dough for more almond flavor or sprinkle cinnamon over the dough balls before adding the almond cream. You can also mix chopped nuts or dried fruit into the dough for added texture.
Q: What should I do if the almond cream filling seems too runny?
A: If your almond cream filling is too runny, you can add a bit more almond flour or chill it longer before using. This will help it firm up and make it easier to scoop onto the dough.
Q: How do I reheat leftovers without drying them out?
A: Reheat leftover monkey bread in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to keep it soft and fluffy. For individual servings, you can microwave them for 15-20 seconds, covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Q: Can I make the salted caramel sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the salted caramel sauce up to a week in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently before drizzling over the warm monkey bread.
Check out my other almond-based recipes on Instagram:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you try this almond cream monkey bread. Happy baking!
