Cinnamon Monkey Pull-Apart: Warm gooey cinnamon bliss.:

A Happy Accident

I first made this by mistake. I was trying to make cinnamon rolls for my grandson’s visit. I got a little creative and added cream cheese. I still laugh at that.

The result was this gooey, pull-apart masterpiece. It was an instant hit. Now, it’s our favorite treat for slow weekend mornings. What’s your favorite breakfast for a lazy day?

Let’s Get Our Hands Sticky

First, melt your butter with the sugars. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes a sweet, caramel-like sauce. This sauce is the magic that soaks into every piece.

Next, flatten each cinnamon roll. Tuck a cream cheese cube inside. Seal it up like a little doughy treasure. This part is messy and fun. It matters because cooking with your hands connects you to your food.

Building a Sweet Tower

Now, we build our tower in the pan. Start with walnuts for a crunchy bottom. Then, place your first layer of stuffed rolls. Sprinkle more walnuts and pour that glorious sauce.

Repeat with the second can of rolls. Top it all off with the rest of the sauce. Fun fact: This is called a “gorilla bread” in some families because it’s so big and hearty! Do you prefer nuts like walnuts, or would you use something else?

The Best Part

The best part is the big reveal. After it bakes and cools for five minutes, you flip it. You hold your breath as you lift the pan. I always do.

Out comes a beautiful, golden-brown cake. You can see all the gooey layers. Then, you get to pull it apart with your fingers. This matters because sharing food this way brings everyone together.

Your Turn to Share

This recipe is perfect for sharing. It’s made for pulling apart and passing around. It turns a simple breakfast into a special event.

I love hearing your stories. What’s the best “happy accident” you’ve ever had in the kitchen? Tell me all about it. I can’t wait to read your answers.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls	16 (2 cans)	set icing aside
Cream cheese	1 (8-ounce) package	cubed into 16 pieces
White sugar	1/2 cup
Brown sugar	1 cup
Butter	1/2 cup	melted
Walnuts	1 cup	roughly chopped, divided
Icing	from cinnamon roll package	optional

Cinnamon Monkey Pull-Apart: Warm Gooey Cinnamon Bliss

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me in the kitchen. The air is sweet with cinnamon today. I am making my famous Cinnamon Monkey Pull-Apart. It is a warm, gooey treat that brings everyone running. My grandkids call it “gorilla bread” and I still laugh at that. It is perfect for a cozy morning or a sweet afternoon snack.

We start with simple things from the store. It is like magic how they come together. You will need two cans of those cinnamon rolls. Do not forget to save the icing for later! We will also use cream cheese, sugars, butter, and walnuts. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Let me show you how it is done.

Ingredients

• 2 cans of cinnamon rolls
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Step 1: First, turn your oven on to 350 degrees. Get your big Bundt pan and give it a good spray. This keeps everything from sticking. I learned that the hard way once! Now, melt your butter in a small pot. Stir in the brown sugar and white sugar until it is all mixed. It will look like a sandy, sweet paste. Set it aside for now.

Step 2: Sprinkle half of your walnuts in the bottom of the pan. Now, take one can of cinnamon rolls. Flatten each one with your hand. They do not need to be perfect. Place a little cube of cream cheese in the middle of one. Then wrap the dough around it like a little package. (A hard-learned tip: really pinch the edges shut so the cheese does not leak out!)

Step 3: Place all your little dough balls in the pan. They should fit in one layer. Sprinkle the rest of the walnuts on top. Then, pour half of that yummy butter and sugar mix over everything. Now, repeat everything with the second can of rolls. Make more little cream cheese packages. Place them on top of the first layer. Pour the rest of the butter and sugar over it all.

Step 4: Pop the pan in the oven for 30 minutes. Your whole house will smell like a bakery. It is the best part! Let it cool for just 5 minutes after baking. Then, take a plate and put it on top of the pan. Carefully flip the whole thing over. Lift the pan off slowly. You will see a beautiful, pull-apart bread. What is your favorite cozy baking smell? Share below!

Step 5: Remember that icing we saved? Take the metal lid off the tub. Warm it in the microwave for about 10 seconds. It will become nice and drizzle-y. You can pour it all over the warm bread. Or let everyone drizzle their own piece. It is the perfect sweet finish. I love watching everyone pull off their own piece.

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Breakfast, Dessert

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is so much fun to play with. You can change it up for any season or taste. Here are a few of my favorite ideas. They are all simple and delicious. I think you will love them.

• Apple Pie Twist: Add a can of apple pie filling between the layers. It tastes just like fall.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Swap the cream cheese for small chocolate chips. It is so melty and good.
• Peanut Butter Delight: Use a teaspoon of peanut butter instead of cream cheese. My grandson invented this one!

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet Masterpiece

This bread is a star all on its own. But I love to make a whole event out of it. For a special breakfast, serve it with some fresh berries on the side. The tart fruit is lovely with the sweet bread. A scoop of vanilla ice cream turns it into the best dessert.

What should you drink with it? A big glass of cold milk is always the best choice. For the grown-ups, a hot cup of coffee with cream is just perfect. The bitter coffee and sweet bread are a match made in heaven. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Cinnamon Monkey Pull-Apart Perfect

This treat is best warm from the oven. But you can make it ahead. Let it cool completely after baking. Then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will be happy in the fridge for three days.

You can also freeze it for a month. I wrap slices individually. This way, my grandson can grab one for a quick snack. I once forgot to wrap it well. The bread tasted like my frozen peas. That was a sad day.

To reheat, just warm a slice in the microwave for 20 seconds. It brings back that gooey goodness. Batch cooking saves you time on busy mornings. It means a warm breakfast is always close by. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Monkey Bread Troubles

Sometimes the bread sticks to the pan. I remember when my first one came out in pieces. Always grease your Bundt pan very, very well. This little step makes a huge difference.

If your cream cheese leaks out, do not worry. Just make sure you seal the dough around it tightly. Roll it into a smooth ball in your hands. This keeps the cheesy surprise inside where it belongs.

The butter and sugar sauce might sink to the bottom. To fix this, just pour it slowly over the layers. This helps every bite get sweet and sticky. Getting it right builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the flavor perfect in every piece. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Monkey Bread Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes. Just use gluten-free cinnamon roll dough. Check all your other ingredients too.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Assemble it the night before. Keep it covered in the fridge. Bake it in the morning.

Q: What can I swap for walnuts? A: Use pecans or skip nuts. You could even use chocolate chips for a fun twist.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Sure. Just use one can of rolls. Cut all the other ingredients in half.

Q: Is the icing necessary? A: No, it is optional. The bread is sweet enough without it. *Fun fact: The cream cheese makes it extra rich and moist.* Which tip will you try first?

A Little Note From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this cozy recipe. It always makes my kitchen smell wonderful. It is perfect for sharing with family and friends.

I would love to see your creation. Your photos make my day. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I cannot wait to see your gooey masterpieces.

Happy cooking!

—Lena Morales.