If you love breakfast treats that bring everyone to the table with excitement, you have to try this Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of soft, sweet biscuit dough layered with juicy blueberries and a hint of cinnamon, all baked to golden perfection. This delightful pull-apart bread is not just a feast for the eyes but also a warm, comforting start to any morning or a scrumptious dessert. The combination of tangy lemon zest and the sweet glaze makes every bite irresistible!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe comes together with simple yet essential ingredients that each bring their own special touch—whether it’s the tender biscuit dough creating the soft bites, the fresh bursts of blueberry flavor, or the warm cinnamon aroma rounding it out.
- Refrigerated biscuit dough (2 cans, 16 ounces each): Using pre-made biscuit dough saves time and ensures tender, fluffy bites.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries (1 ½ cups): They add juicy sweetness and a lovely pop of color throughout the bread.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Balances the tartness of the berries while caramelizing slightly during baking.
- Brown sugar (½ cup): Adds depth and a touch of molasses flavor for rich sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses warm spice that complements the berries perfectly.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Keeps the blueberries from soaking the bread too much by thickening their juices.
- Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Brings a fresh citrus note that brightens the whole dish.
- Melted unsalted butter (½ cup): Adds richness and helps every piece brown beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall sweetness with a mellow, fragrant hint.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): The base for a sweet, smooth glaze that finishes the bread perfectly.
- Lemon juice (1 to 2 tablespoons): Mixed into the glaze for a zingy contrast to all the sweetness.
How to Make Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Dough
First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a bundt pan well with butter or nonstick spray to make sure your sticky masterpiece comes out flawlessly. Then, cut each biscuit into quarters to create bite-sized pieces that will take on all those wonderful flavors and bake evenly.
Step 2: Coat the Dough Pieces
In a medium bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Toss your biscuit quarters in this sugar mixture until each piece is well coated. This sugary-cinnamon blanket will caramelize during baking, creating that signature monkey bread crust with every pull-apart bite.
Step 3: Prepare the Blueberry Mixture
In a separate bowl, gently combine the blueberries with the cornstarch and lemon zest. The cornstarch thickens the berry juices magically, so your bread stays moist without becoming soggy, while the lemon zest wakes up the flavor and adds brightness.
Step 4: Layering the Bundt Pan
Now, it’s time to build your Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe from the bottom up. Start by layering one-third of the coated biscuit pieces into the pan, then sprinkle one-third of the blueberry mixture over them. Repeat this layering process two more times, making sure the blueberries are spread evenly to infuse every bite with bursts of fruit.
Step 5: Add Butter and Vanilla
Drizzle the melted butter and vanilla extract evenly over the layered dough and berries. This step helps everything brown beautifully and brings a luscious richness to the final bread.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Pop the bundt pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until the biscuits are puffed, golden, and cooked through at the center. If the bread starts browning too fast on top, loosely cover it with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent burning while the inside finishes baking perfectly.
Step 7: Cool and Glaze
Once out of the oven, let the monkey bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully invert it onto a serving plate to reveal its stunning shape. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and drizzle it generously over the warm monkey bread for a shiny, sweet finishing touch.
How to Serve Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh blueberries or a sprinkle of powdered sugar add an inviting look and extra freshness right before serving. A small handful of lemon zest on top cheers up the presentation and hints at the delicious flavors inside.
Side Dishes
This Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a special treat. For breakfast, serve alongside a cup of hot coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to enhance the fruity notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving pieces of the monkey bread on individual plates stacked with yogurt and granola for a brunch parfait style. Or use mini bundt pans for single servings, turning this recipe into a delightful finger food for parties or gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This bread tastes best warm, but it holds its flavor and texture nicely if you finish it shortly after baking.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked and cooled Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat slices gently in a microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds or warm the whole bundt loosely covered with foil in a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. This brings back the gooey, fresh-from-the-oven feel that makes monkey bread so special.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries in this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work wonderfully and you do not need to thaw them first, which makes prep even quicker and easier. They still provide that juicy burst and beautiful color.
What if my monkey bread browns too quickly?
If the top starts to turn too dark before the biscuits are fully cooked, just tent the pan loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to protect the crust while the center finishes baking.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use a vegan biscuit dough if available. Keep in mind this may slightly change the flavor and texture but should still be delicious.
How do I prevent the bread from sticking to the pan?
Generously greasing your bundt pan with butter or a good-quality nonstick spray is key to ensuring your monkey bread releases easily and maintains its perfect shape when inverted.
Is this recipe suitable for breakfast or dessert?
This Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe is wonderfully versatile—serve it warm as a special breakfast centerpiece or as a sweet dessert. The natural sweetness and fresh fruit make it ideal for both occasions.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe is one of those delightful discoveries that feels like a warm hug any time of day. Its easy prep, incredible flavors, and pull-apart joy make it perfect for sharing with family and friends. I encourage you to give it a try and watch it disappear bite by delicious bite!
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Blueberry Monkey Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Blueberry Monkey Bread is a delightful breakfast bake featuring tender biscuit dough layered with juicy blueberries, cinnamon sugar, and a buttery glaze. Perfectly pull-apart and infused with a zesty lemon glaze, this American-style treat is warm, comforting, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Bread
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough (16 ounces each)
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a bundt pan with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cut Biscuit Dough: Cut each biscuit into quarters to create bite-sized pieces, then set them aside.
- Mix Sugar and Cinnamon: In a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Toss the biscuit pieces in this sugar mixture until they are fully coated, ensuring sweet and spiced bites.
- Prepare Blueberry Mixture: In another bowl, gently mix blueberries with cornstarch and lemon zest. The cornstarch helps thicken the juices during baking, while lemon zest adds fresh flavor.
- Layer Ingredients in Pan: Start by layering one-third of the coated biscuit pieces evenly in the bundt pan. Sprinkle one-third of the blueberry mixture over the biscuit layer. Repeat this layering two more times to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Add Butter and Vanilla: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter and vanilla extract evenly over the top of the layered biscuit and blueberry mixture. This adds richness and moisture to the bread.
- Bake: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 48 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked thoroughly in the center.
- Cool and Invert: Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate. This reveals the beautiful layered blueberries and biscuits.
- Prepare Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth to create a tangy glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Frozen blueberries work well and do not need to be thawed before use.
- If the top of the monkey bread browns too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
- Serving the bread warm enhances its soft, gooey texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
