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Home » Holiday Recipes » Christmas Recipes

CINNAMON ROLL MONKEY BREAD

Updated: May 4, 2026 · Published: May 5, 2025 by Sana Umer · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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If you love gooey cinnamon rolls and crave an easy crowd-pleaser, this Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is for you. The result? An irresistible pull-apart treat that feels fancy but takes very little effort to make.

Perfect for weekends, holidays, or brunch parties, this recipe uses canned cinnamon rolls for convenience while still tasting bakery-quality. Each bite is coated in a rich brown sugar glaze and finished with icing for extra indulgence.

The magic of this dish is how the rolls bake into a golden, bubbling loaf of buttery cinnamon goodness. Every piece you pull apart is gooey, soft, and packed with flavour. It’s a warm hug in food form—ideal with coffee or hot chocolate.

You don’t need to be an expert baker to pull this off. Just chop the cinnamon rolls, coat in sugar, stack in a pan, and bake. It’s simple, fun, and great to make with kids. The final drizzle of icing adds a perfect sweet finish.

Serve it straight from the bundt pan or inverted on a plate for a dramatic reveal. However you slice it, this recipe will make your mornings sweeter. It looks impressive but comes together in minutes. It’s sticky, soft, sweet, and filled with cinnamon sugar.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

  • Easy to Make: Using pre-made cinnamon rolls makes this recipe quick and simple while still delivering a delicious, homemade taste.

  • Perfect for Sharing: This pull-apart bread is fun and easy to share, making it ideal for family breakfasts, brunch, or gatherings.

  • Warm & Gooey: The cinnamon rolls bake to a warm, gooey perfection, creating a decadent, sweet treat everyone will enjoy.

  • Buttery Glaze: The buttery, caramel-like glaze adds a rich sweetness that complements the cinnamon flavour of the rolls beautifully.

  • Customizable Add-Ins: Add your favourite ingredients like raisins, chopped nuts, or extra frosting to make it even more delicious.

  • Kid-Friendly: Kids love pulling apart the gooey, cinnamon-sugar-coated pieces, making this a hit with young ones.

  • Great for Holidays: Perfect for special occasions like Christmas, Easter, or any holiday breakfast, this treat is always a crowd favourite.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls (8 rolls each)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of salt (optional)

DIRECTIONS

  • Step No.1: Prepare the cinnamon rolls
    Open the cinnamon roll cans and cut each roll into quarters. Set aside the icing packets that come with the rolls.

  • Step No.2: Coat the dough pieces
    In a medium-sized bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Roll the quartered cinnamon roll pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.

  • Step No.3: Arrange in a bundt pan
    Grease a bundt pan and begin layering the cinnamon roll pieces in the pan. Make sure they are evenly distributed to create a well-formed bread.

  • Step No.4: Make the glaze
    In a small saucepan, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil and becomes thickened.

  • Step No.5: Pour the glaze over the dough
    Pour the caramel glaze over the layered cinnamon rolls in the bundt pan. Use a spoon to make sure the glaze seeps between all the dough pieces.

  • Step No.6: Bake the bread
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon roll monkey bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and fully cooked through.

  • Step No.7: Let it cool slightly
    Once the bread is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes.

  • Step No.8: Serve and enjoy
    Invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate to release the bread, and drizzle with the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls. Serve warm and enjoy!

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

  • Use a Bundt Pan: A bundt pan is perfect for this recipe as it helps the bread cook evenly and gives a lovely shape.

  • Coat the Dough Generously: Don’t skimp on the cinnamon-sugar coating; the more the dough pieces are covered, the more flavour you’ll get.

  • Ensure Even Baking: Check the bread halfway through baking to ensure it’s not browning too quickly. Cover with foil if needed.

  • Make It Extra Gooey: For a gooey, sticky texture, ensure the glaze is poured generously over the dough before baking.

  • Add Nuts or Raisins: For extra flavour and texture, add chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins to the dough before baking.

  • Let It Cool Slightly Before Inverting: Give the bread a few minutes to cool to ensure it comes out of the pan smoothly.

  • Drizzle Extra Icing: For even more sweetness, drizzle the extra cinnamon roll icing over the top of the finished bread.

VARIATIONS

  • Nutty Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread: Add a handful of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, between the layers of cinnamon roll dough.

  • Caramel Apple Version: Add diced apples and cinnamon between the dough pieces before baking for a fruity twist.

  • Chocolate Chip Add-In: Stir in a handful of mini chocolate chips to the dough pieces for a chocolatey indulgence.

  • Maple Glaze: Swap the brown sugar glaze for a maple syrup-based glaze for a more distinct flavour.

  • vegan diet Version: Use dairy-free butter, coconut milk, and plant-based cinnamon rolls for a vegan-friendly option.

  • Bacon & Cheddar Twist: For a savoury version, add cooked bacon bits and shredded cheddar cheese between the dough layers for a breakfast-style treat.

SERVING AND STORAGE

Serving:
Best served warm from the oven, inverted onto a plate and drizzled with icing. Great with coffee, tea, or milk.

Storage:
Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the night before and bake fresh in the morning.

Do I need a bundt pan?

A bundt pan gives the best shape, but you can use a loaf or 9×13 pan in a pinch.

Can I freeze Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread?

Yes, freeze it baked and cooled. Reheat in the oven for best texture.

What if I don’t have refrigerated rolls?

You can use homemade dough, but it will take longer to prepare.

Can I skip the icing?

Yes, but it adds a perfect sweet touch! You can replace it with homemade glaze too.

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is the perfect treat when you want something impressive, indulgent, and incredibly easy.

Using refrigerated cinnamon rolls saves time without sacrificing taste, while the cinnamon sugar and brown sugar glaze create a sticky, gooey finish that’s absolutely irresistible.

Each bite is soft, sweet, and full of cinnamon spice—exactly what you crave in a comfort-food breakfast or dessert.

This recipe is a show-stopper for guests yet simple enough for a casual family morning.

You can make it your own by adding nuts, fruits, or flavour twists like pumpkin spice or citrus.

It's a great dish for Christmas mornings, weekend brunches, or anytime you're entertaining and want a low-fuss, high-impact recipe.

Serve it straight from the pan for a rustic vibe or invert it onto a cake plate for a wow factor.

CINNAMON ROLL MONKEY BREAD

Sana Umer
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is a warm, gooey treat that combines the sweetness of cinnamon rolls with the fun of pull-apart bread. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, it’s a crowd-pleasing favorite for any occasion!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans 16 oz each refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup brown sugar packed

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Rolls

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter. Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters.

Step 2: Toss the Rolls

  • In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Toss the quartered cinnamon rolls in the sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Step 3: Assemble

  • Layer the coated cinnamon roll pieces in the bundt pan, stacking them as you go.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

  • In a separate bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. Stir in vanilla extract and brown sugar until smooth.

Step 5: Bake

  • Pour the butter mixture evenly over the stacked cinnamon roll pieces. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked.

Step 6: Drizzle the Icing

  • Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the included icing (from the cinnamon roll cans) over the top.

Step 7: Serve

  • Serve warm, pulling apart the bread pieces to enjoy!

Notes

  • For extra flavor, add chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts) between the layers.
  • Use homemade cinnamon rolls for a more personalized touch!
  • This can be made the night before and baked in the morning for a quicker breakfast.
Keyword breakfast treat, cinnamon roll dessert, cinnamon roll monkey bread, easy monkey bread recipe, monkey bread, pull-apart bread

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About Sana Umer

I'm Sana Umer — the home cook behind every recipe on For Foodie Friends. I'm a Pakistani-American mom of two based in the US, and I've been cooking seriously for about a decade now, mostly because feeding a family every day is the fastest way to learn how to actually cook.

I'm completely self-taught. I learned by watching my mother in Pakistan, by burning a lot of food in my early years, and by paying attention to which recipes worked and which ones needed fixing. I don't specialize in just one cuisine — I cook the Pakistani dishes I grew up with, the American desserts my kids request, weeknight dinners, holiday roasts, and everything in between.

Every recipe is personally tested in my own kitchen, every word is written by me, and every photo is taken of food I actually made.

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Hi, I'm Sana Umer — the home cook, recipe tester, and writer behind For Foodie Friends.

I'm a Pakistani-American mom based in the US. I learned to cook in two kitchens — my mother's in Pakistan, where I grew up watching whole spices bloom in oil, and my own kitchen now, where I cook for my husband and kids.

Every recipe on this site has been tested in my own kitchen, often more times than I'd like to admit, before it ever made it here. I cook a little bit of everything: the Pakistani comfort food I grew up with, the American desserts my kids beg for, weeknight dinners that need to come together fast, and the holiday spreads that take all day.

If a recipe is on this site, it earned its place. No ghostwriters, no AI shortcuts, no copy-paste from somewhere else — just real recipes from a real kitchen, written to actually work the first time you make them.

Welcome to my corner of the internet.

— Sana

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