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If you’re dreaming of a treat that’s a delightful mix of gooey, fruity, and sweet with every bite, the Irresistibly Sweet: Strawberry Monkey Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. This charmingly easy-to-make dessert combines soft biscuit dough, luscious strawberry jam, and fresh berries to create a pull-apart masterpiece that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert. Each piece bursts with the vibrant flavors of ripe strawberries and vanilla, wrapped in a caramelized buttery coating that will have everyone reaching for seconds and thirds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Irresistibly Sweet: Strawberry Monkey Bread Recipe is a breeze thanks to a handful of simple ingredients that work in perfect harmony. Each one plays a key role in delivering the rich taste, tender texture, and inviting look of this crowd-pleaser.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (2 cans, 16.3 oz each): The soft, fluffy base that pulls apart perfectly and absorbs the sweet layers.
- Strawberry jam or preserves (1 cup): Adds a fruity sweetness that seeps into the dough for that irresistible glaze.
- Fresh strawberries, diced (2 cups): Brings a fresh burst of flavor and a lovely pop of color throughout the bread.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Coats the biscuit pieces to create a sweet, slightly crunchy outer layer.
- Unsalted butter, melted (1/2 cup or 1 stick): Ensures a moist, rich texture and helps the layers caramelize beautifully in the oven.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Infuses a warm, aromatic note that complements the strawberries perfectly.
- Optional toppings – powdered sugar or vanilla glaze: Adds an elegant finishing touch and extra sweetness.
How to Make Irresistibly Sweet: Strawberry Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Dough
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a Bundt pan with nonstick spray or butter to ensure easy release. Next, cut each biscuit into quarters using a knife or kitchen scissors — this makes them bite-sized and perfect for coating.
Step 2: Coat the Dough Pieces
Place the biscuit quarters into a large bowl or bag and toss them in the granulated sugar until each piece is evenly coated. This step is crucial for creating that sweet, slightly crunchy crust that makes monkey bread so irresistible.
Step 3: Layer the Ingredients
Now comes the fun part: layering! Scatter half of your sugar-coated biscuit pieces into the bottom of the prepared pan. Then, sprinkle half of the diced fresh strawberries evenly on top, followed by drizzling half of the strawberry jam or preserves over the fruit. Repeat this layering to build up delicious pockets of strawberry sweetness throughout the bread.
Step 4: Add the Butter Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the vanilla extract. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the dough layers in the pan to add richness and help everything bake into a golden, caramelized treat.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake your monkey bread for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is golden and the center is fully set. If you notice the top browning too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil to prevent burning while the inside finishes baking.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes — this helps it set so it comes out cleanly. Then invert it onto a serving plate, letting that beautiful, strawberry-studded surface shine. Serve warm, and if you like, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a vanilla glaze for an extra-special touch.
How to Serve Irresistibly Sweet: Strawberry Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Irresistibly Sweet: Strawberry Monkey Bread Recipe, consider a light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzling a smooth vanilla glaze over the top. Fresh strawberry slices or a few mint leaves make for a pretty, fresh garnish that entices the eye and complements the berry sweetness.
Side Dishes
This strawberry monkey bread shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a side of Greek yogurt for a tangy balance. For a brunch spread, fresh fruit salad or crispy bacon add delightful contrasting textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Present the monkey bread straight in the Bundt pan for a rustic, family-style look, or invert it onto a pretty cake stand to showcase its enticing layers. For a party, serve individual portions pulled apart and placed on colorful plates with small ramekins of extra strawberry jam for dipping, turning this recipe into a fun, interactive treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps maintain that fresh, tender texture and keeps the strawberry jam from drying out the bread.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze your strawberry monkey bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. It will keep well for up to two months, making it a convenient sweet surprise for later.
Reheating
To bring your monkey bread back to its fresh-out-of-the-oven glory, reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm the whole bread in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. If frozen, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use fresh strawberries alone instead of jam?
Fresh strawberries bring wonderful flavor and texture, but the jam adds a sweet, sticky glaze that helps bind the bread together and intensify the strawberry taste. If you skip the jam, consider increasing the sugar coating slightly to compensate.
What biscuit dough works best?
Refrigerated biscuit dough from the store is perfect because it’s soft, buttery, and easy to cut into pieces. Avoid doughs with extra herbs or cheeses as they might clash with the sweetness of the strawberries.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the biscuit dough with a gluten-free variety. Keep in mind texture might change slightly, but the overall flavor will still shine through.
Is it possible to make this vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, use a plant-based butter substitute and vegan biscuit dough if available. Also, check that the strawberry jam does not contain gelatin or other animal products.
How do I prevent the monkey bread from sticking to the pan?
Greasing the Bundt pan thoroughly with butter or nonstick spray is crucial. You can also lightly dust it with sugar or flour to add an extra layer that helps release the bread more easily after baking.
Final Thoughts
Treat yourself and your loved ones to the joy of the Irresistibly Sweet: Strawberry Monkey Bread Recipe — it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings together the freshness of strawberries with the comforting charm of monkey bread. Whether it’s a special breakfast, an anytime snack, or a warm dessert, this recipe invites you to indulge in simple ingredients elevated to something truly magical. Give it a try, and prepare to fall in love with every sticky, sweet bite!
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Irresistibly Sweet: Strawberry Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This irresistibly sweet Strawberry Monkey Bread is a delightful twist on the classic pull-apart bread, featuring tender biscuit dough generously coated in sugar, layered with fresh diced strawberries and luscious strawberry jam, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it’s an easy-to-make treat that’s both fun to share and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Dough and Coating
- 2 (16.3 oz) cans refrigerated biscuit dough
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Fruit and Filling
- 1 cup strawberry jam or preserves
- 2 cups diced fresh strawberries
Butter Mixture
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Topping
- Powdered sugar or vanilla glaze for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a Bundt pan with nonstick spray or butter to ensure easy release of the bread after baking.
- Cut the Biscuit Dough: Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut each biscuit into quarters to create small bite-sized pieces ideal for monkey bread.
- Coat the Dough Pieces: Toss the biscuit quarters in granulated sugar, making sure each piece is evenly coated to add sweetness and create a slightly crisp exterior.
- Layer Ingredients in Pan: Place half of the sugared biscuit pieces evenly into the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan. Sprinkle half of the diced fresh strawberries over the dough, and drizzle half of the strawberry jam on top. Repeat this layering with the remaining biscuit pieces, strawberries, and jam.
- Add Butter Mixture: Combine the melted butter with the vanilla extract and evenly drizzle this mixture over the layered dough in the Bundt pan. This adds richness and helps the layers fuse during baking.
- Bake the Monkey Bread: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the center is set. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Release: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Then carefully invert the monkey bread onto a serving plate.
- Serve: Serve the strawberry monkey bread warm. For extra sweetness and presentation, optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a vanilla glaze.
Notes
- Ensure the biscuit dough pieces are well coated in sugar to enhance the caramelized texture.
- Fresh strawberries provide the best flavor and texture; however, frozen strawberries can be used if thawed and drained well.
- Use a Bundt pan to achieve the signature monkey bread shape and even baking.
- If the bread browns too fast, tent with foil to avoid burning.
- The monkey bread is best served warm but can be reheated gently before serving.
- Optional toppings like powdered sugar or vanilla glaze add a beautiful finishing touch but are not necessary.
