Bananas Foster Monkey Bread is a fun treat that combines soft, sweet pieces of dough with gooey caramel and banana flavors. It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds!
This dish is perfect for brunch or dessert. Just pull apart the sticky goodness and enjoy every bite. You’ll be asking for seconds—just like me when there’s extra caramel to dip in! 🍌
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: Refrigerated biscuit dough gives this recipe its signature fluffy texture. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can use whole wheat biscuit dough or even make your own from scratch.
Sugar: The granulated sugar in the coating adds sweetness and complements the cinnamon nicely. You could substitute brown sugar for a deeper flavor, or even use coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
Dark Rum: Dark rum is essential for that authentic Bananas Foster flavor. If you’re avoiding alcohol, you can replace it with a bit of vanilla extract and water combined for richness.
Bananas: Your bananas should be ripe to get maximum sweetness. If you don’t have bananas, try using apples or pears instead, though the flavor will be different.
How Can I Ensure My Monkey Bread is Extra Gooey?
The key to that perfect gooey texture is in the sauce! When making your Bananas Foster sauce, let the butter and brown sugar bubble together before adding the rum. This allows the sugars to caramelize slightly, creating that syrupy goodness.
- Cook the butter and sugar for about 3-5 minutes until it thickens.
- Tempering in the alcohol gradually helps to avoid burning.
- Make sure to coat the dough well with the sauce, ensuring every piece gets that sweet flavor.
This technique makes all the difference, ensuring no dry bits exist in your monkey bread. Enjoy this delicious treat warm, and don’t forget to share (or not)! 😊
Bananas Foster Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough Balls:
- 3 cans refrigerated biscuit dough (about 30 biscuits)
For Coating the Dough Balls:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Bananas Foster Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 1/4 cup banana liqueur (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large ripe bananas, sliced
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Bananas Foster Monkey Bread takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 35 to 40 minutes to bake. Plus, let it cool for 10 minutes before serving. In total, you’re looking at about an hour for this delightful treat. Perfect for an indulgent breakfast or a cozy dessert!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Bundt Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a bundt pan and grease it well with butter or non-stick spray to ensure the monkey bread comes out easily once baked.
2. Prepare the Dough:
Open the cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. This will create small pieces that will be tossed in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
3. Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Mix them well. Toss the quartered dough pieces in this mixture until they are thoroughly coated.
4. Assemble the Dough in the Bundt Pan:
Place the coated dough balls into the prepared bundt pan, layering them evenly as you go. This helps them cook uniformly.
5. Make the Bananas Foster Sauce:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
6. Add the Rum and Simmer:
Carefully add the dark rum and banana liqueur (if using) to the saucepan. Let it simmer gently for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn.
7. Finish the Sauce:
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. This adds a lovely flavor to your sauce.
8. Combine Everything:
Pour half of the warm sauce evenly over the dough pieces in the bundt pan. Then layer the sliced bananas over the dough. Pour the remaining sauce on top of the bananas.
9. Bake the Monkey Bread:
Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The monkey bread is done when it’s puffed up and golden brown.
10. Cool and Invert:
Once baked, take it out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully place a large serving plate over the bundt pan, and invert it to release the monkey bread onto the plate.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve your warm Bananas Foster Monkey Bread by pulling apart the pieces. It’s delightful on its own, or you can serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence!
Enjoy your luscious Bananas Foster Monkey Bread with rich caramel sauce and tender banana slices! 🍌✨
Can I Use Frozen Biscuit Dough Instead of Refrigerated?
While it’s best to use refrigerated biscuit dough for the right texture, you can use frozen dough. Just make sure to thaw it completely before cutting and coating it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Can I Make This Recipe Without Alcohol?
Absolutely! You can omit the dark rum and banana liqueur. Replace them with an additional splash of vanilla extract and a little water or juice for extra flavor without the alcohol.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover monkey bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it for longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days and reheat individual pieces in the microwave or oven.
Can I Use Other Fruits?
Yes, you can experiment with other fruits! Sliced apples or pears make great substitutes, but keep in mind that the flavor will change. Just be sure to keep the fruit sizes similar for even cooking!