Monkey Bread Cupcakes Recipe | Gooey Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Treats
Bake these monkey bread cupcakes for a fun twist on the classic. Gooey, sweet, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these pull-apart mini treats are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Equipment
- Muffin tin (12-cup)
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer (optional, for yeasted dough)
- Small scoop/knife (for portioning dough)
- Pastry brush (for butter)
- Cooling rack
- Nonstick spray or parchment liners
- Instant-read thermometer (optional, for yeasted dough)
Ingredients
Dough (choose one):
- Yeasted dough: 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, 1 packet yeast, ¾ cup warm milk, 1 egg, 3 tbsp melted butter
- Shortcut dough: 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
Coating:
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional add-ins: Pecans, mini chocolate chips, orange zest
Instructions
- Prep: Grease muffin tin thoroughly; preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Yeasted dough route: Mix flour, sugar, salt, yeast. Add warm milk, egg, butter. Knead until smooth. Rise until doubled. Punch down, divide into ~72 pieces, roll into balls.
- Shortcut route: Cut refrigerated biscuits into 6–8 pieces each.
- Coat: Dip dough balls in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon-brown sugar.
- Assemble: Place 5–6 coated balls per muffin cup. Lightly press to nestle.
- Bake: 15–20 minutes until puffed and caramelized. Rotate pan if browning unevenly.
- Glaze: Whisk confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla. Drizzle over warm cupcakes.
- Cool & release: Rest 5 minutes, loosen edges, transfer to rack. Serve warm.
Notes
- Make-ahead: Assemble yeasted dough after first rise; refrigerate overnight, bake fresh.
- Storage: Room temp up to 2 days; fridge up to 4 days.
- Freezer-friendly: Wrap individually, freeze up to 1 month.
- Reheat: 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave 15–20 seconds; glaze after reheating.
- Pro Tip: Grease tins generously—caramelized sugar sticks if pans aren’t well-prepped.