When I’m in the mood for something warm, gooey, and irresistibly sweet, monkey bread is my go-to treat. My latest version is even easier than the original with the help of frozen dinner rolls.
This pull-apart bread is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for cozy mornings, brunch, and holiday entertaining. There’s something so satisfying about tearing off those soft, cinnamon-sugar-coated bites, one by one. And the best part? All your prep is done the night before!
Overnight monkey bread is the ultimate comfort food. It’s warm, buttery, and packed with that classic cinnamon-sugar flavor we all know and love with just five minutes of prep time. Whether you’re serving your monkey bread to family on a Sunday morning or bringing it to a potluck, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
With just a handful of simple ingredients and a bundt pan, it is quick, easy and elegant! Just pop it in the oven, slice or pull apart and enjoy! Pair it with Quiche Lorraine and a fun fruit platter for a memorable brunch!
Monkey Bread Ingredients
- Frozen Rolls – This recipe is also known as Rhodes Rolls Monkey Bread after the popular brand from the freezer section.
- Butterscotch Cook and Serve Dry Pudding Mix – this is not the time for instant.
- Brown Sugar – you can use light or dark, it is completely up to your preference.
- Cinnamon and Sugar – This simple mixture is the heart of the recipe, coating each piece of dough with sweet, spiced goodness.
- Butter – Melted butter adds richness to the dish and also helps the cinnamon and sugar stick to the dough.
- Nuts – These are optional, but I find they add a much-needed crunch.
Tips from My Test Kitchen
- Grease bundt pan liberally for easy removal.
- Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. This helps the caramel set slightly and makes it easier to remove from the pan.
More Make Ahead Brunch Recipes
Overnight Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- 24 rise and bake dinner rolls (thawed)
- 1 3.5 ounce box butterscotch cook and serve dry pudding mix
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
Optional
- ½ cup nuts chopped
Instructions
Make Ahead
- Grease bundt pan. Optional: sprinkle with nuts. Add frozen rolls, spreading them evenly to cover the pan.
- In a small mixing bowl, add pudding mix, brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon and whisk to combine. Sprinkle mixture over the top of rolls to cover.1 3.5 ounce box butterscotch cook and serve dry pudding mix, 1 cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup white granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pour melted butter over rolls, covering the sugar mixture. Leave uncovered overnight at room temperature to rise.½ cup unsalted butter
To Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Punch rolls down and place the bundt pan on cookie sheet to prevent overflow. Bake 30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool 10 minutes.
- Carefully release bundt pan upside down onto platter or cake stand to remove. Using a spoon, drizzle any sauce remaining in the pan over the top. Serve warm.
Julie’s Tips
Storage
Cover with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or 5 days refrigerated. Freeze up to 3 months wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe airtight container. To serve, thaw in refrigerator overnight.Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Is there any way to use gluten free rolls for this recipe?
Hi Debi! I just looked and I didn’t see any similar rise over night gluten free rolls, but that would be the best substitute. My husband is gluten free as well, so I completely understand!
Do you need to cover the bread over night
Hi Diane,
I usually cover with a clean dish towel or loosely placed plastic wrap!
I hope you enjoy,
Julie
Can you cut the rolls? Also, Im afraid it might be too sweet, so wondering if you could adjust the recipe and use only half of the butterscotch pudding powder? Will it still taste good?
These are indulgent, but amazing! You can certainly cut if you prefer, but you won’t regret going all in!
Is there a homemade substitute for the packaged pudding mix? NOT going to the store (Covid risks and a snowstorm here)! Thanks!
Use butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in lieu of pudding. You don’t have to have pudding. Enjoy and stay cozy!
What’s the reply for? It doesn’t work?!?
Where is the recipe for the brown sugar &!butter? I can’t find it??????
Hi Carol,
All the ingredients and step by step instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Enjoy!
Julie
Can you tell me what kind of frozen dinner rolls you used? Are they the already cooked version or are they still dough, if that makes sense?
They’re still dough, Jordan. Rhodes are great!