Monkey Bread in a Bag

As of yesterday Fall has finally begun, but I can’t lie- I’ve been in Fall mode since the beginning of September! I’m ready for crisp air, apple picking, pumpkin carving, cute boots, Halloween dress up and much much more! BRING IT…! If you don’t share my enthusiasm for this magical time of year, you might just find a piece of magic for yourself with today’s new recipe: Monkey Bread in a Bag!

Good Intentions

I had been eyeing the infamous bread in a bag activity for what has seemed like forever. Somehow this one got shoved aside with all my other well intention-ed ideas… Pinterest can attest to this 😉 But with Fall in the air and coziness on the brain I knew it was time to give this one a whirl. Because what is more comforting that warm bread from the oven? Oh wait, ooey-gooey cinnamon-y pull apart clouds of sweet dough also known as MONKEY BREAD… that’s what.

Monkey bread is a favorite of mine because it tastes like cinnamon rolls but is baked in a bundt cake pan and pulled apart to share for a yummy breakfast (or anytime!) treat. And confession, until yesterday I had never actually made it at home which is why I was VERY nervous to give it a go. Making any type of dough recipe can seem intimidating if you’ve never made it before (ME), but I will say the results of this recipe have seriously blown me away. The kids make the bread dough for me and bonus, it was not only easy but fun too! You can see all of the behind the scenes into our fun dough making sesh on my Instagram stories here.

Bread in a Bag Recipe

I used this wonderful recipe that I found on Pinterest from Susie at The Busy Toddler. Thank you for this one mama, it’s perfect! Here is the link to the original recipe post.

Dough Ingredients:

1 gallon freezer bag

3 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 packet rapid rise yeast

*1 cup warm water

1 teaspoon salt

*Warm water does not mean hot water! If water is too hot it will kill the yeast.

Make the Bread in a Bag

Step 1: In bowl, combine 1 cup flour with yeast and sugar. Then have kids pour this mixture into the freezer bag along with the warm water.

Step 2: Shake, dance, move the bag all around to mix everything up! I should mention, be sure the bag is sealed tight with no air pockets inside 🙂

Step 3: Set bag down (flat) to “proof” for 10 minutes.

Step 4:After 10 minutes is up, in bowl combine another cup of flour with the salt, then add to the bag along with the melted butter. Seal bag and shake, dance, wiggle again to mix all of the ingredients together. (You may notice the dough pulling from the bag, which is a good sign! Sticky dough is good dough.)

Step 5: Add last cup of flour, then seal and shake the bag for the last time. Putting on some music during the shaking part would be super fun!

Step 6: Prepare a floured surface, then remove dough from bag and begin to knead for 5 to 10 minutes. This is our favorite part! Hello sensory activity 🙂

Step 7: Place dough into a dish and cover with towel in a warm place to rise for 45 mins to an hour.

Congrats, you’ve finished the bread in a bag dough!

Monkey Bread

Now it’s time to turn that beautiful dough into Monkey Bread… You will need:

1/4 cup brown sugar ( I like dark brown)

1/4 cup butter (vegan butter would work also!)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp maple extract

1 tablespoon water or milk (non dairy works here also)

Step 1: Remove dough from pan and place on a large cutting board. Using a rolling pin, gently flatten out to 1/4 inch thickness in a rectangular shape. Use a pizza cutter to cut 1 inch pieces (they will look like perfect delicious pillows!)

Step 2: Place the cut dough pieces AKA pillows into a bowl. Prepare melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in bowl with whisk and pour mixture over the pillows… YUM. Toss gently to coat each pillow.

Step 3: Place coated dough pieces into a prepared bundt cake pan and pop into a 350 degree oven for 27 minutes. *Mine were perfect at 27 minutes but every oven is different! Try 25 minutes then check.

Step 4: While bread cooks, prepare icing by placing powdered sugar, maple extract, and water or milk into bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Step 5: Remove bread from oven and place a plate over the pan then (using mitts) turn pan upside down onto plate to removed the bread. Drizzle with icing while warm and prepare to be amazed… soooo good!

Have you made monkey bread or bread in a bag before? I’m opening up the conversation because I’m so curious! Now off to enjoy the leftovers… shhh don’t tell the kids 😉

Enjoy the rest of your week and if you give this one a try be sure to tag me on Instagram @thrillofhome. Bye for now friends <3

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