Description
Delight in this irresistible Blueberry Monkey Bread, a fun and easy-to-make pull-apart bread bursting with fresh blueberries and coated in a cinnamon-sugar butter mixture. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, this recipe combines fluffy yeast dough with a sweet, buttery coating and an optional vanilla glaze for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1/2 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
For the Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
For the Glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy to ensure the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, remaining sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing continuously until a shaggy dough forms that holds together but is not overly stiff.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for ease.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix together the sugar and ground cinnamon. Set this aside for coating the dough pieces later.
- Melt the Butter: Melt the remaining 1/2 cup unsalted butter and pour it into a separate bowl for dipping the dough pieces.
- Punch Down the Dough: Gently deflate the risen dough to release trapped air, preparing it for shaping.
- Shape the Dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to approximately 1/2-inch thickness, creating an even layer suitable for cutting.
- Cut into Pieces: Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut the rolled dough into small, roughly 1-inch pieces for easy portioning.
- Coat and Arrange: Dip each dough piece into the melted butter, then coat well with the cinnamon sugar. Arrange the coated pieces in a well-greased bundt pan, distributing fresh blueberries evenly among the dough pieces as you layer them.
- Second Rise: Cover the bundt pan with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise again for 30 minutes in a warm spot until slightly puffed.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking.
- Bake: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the monkey bread turns golden brown and is cooked through. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let the monkey bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate to maintain its shape.
- Whisk Glaze Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of milk or cream, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and free of lumps for a perfect drizzle consistency.
- Drizzle Glaze: Drizzle the optional glaze evenly over the warm monkey bread before serving for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm (105-115°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Fresh blueberries can be substituted with frozen ones, but thaw and drain excess liquid to avoid sogginess.
- If the dough sticks while kneading, lightly dust your hands and surface with flour but avoid adding too much to keep the bread soft.
- Cover the bread with foil during baking if the top browns too fast to prevent burning.
- The glaze is optional but adds a lovely vanilla sweetness that enhances flavor and presentation.
