Name: Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 packages refrigerated biscuit dough, such as Pillsbury Grands; Christmas sprinkles, 1/4 cup (approximately); Hershey Kisses, unwrapped (any flavor), 24 kisses; 1 cup granulated sugar; 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Nothing says festive morning quite like a gooey, cinnamon-scented treat pulling everyone to the kitchen. This Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe is that magical centerpiece for your holiday brunch that’s as fun to make as it is to eat—loaded with sprinkles and hidden Hershey Kisses for a sweet surprise in every bite.

The image shows a close-up of a monkey bread made of small golden-brown dough pieces stuck together in a round shape, glistening with a sticky glaze. On top and around the monkey bread, there are small red, green, and white sprinkles scattered, adding a festive touch. The monkey bread is placed on a white plate with a subtle wood pattern, and the background is a blurred white marbled texture with a hint of green and red decorations, suggesting a holiday theme. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, I’m a sucker for anything pull-apart style, and this Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe quickly became a holiday staple in my family. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, buttery, and fun with those surprise kisses inside that make everyone smile. It’s one of those recipes that brings people together, breaking pieces off, sharing, and feeling that cozy Christmas vibe.

Fun & Interactive Eating: Because you pull apart the bread piece by piece, it’s great for sharing and feels like a mini celebration with every bite.
Simple Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your pantry, and it comes together quickly—ideal for last-minute holiday guests.
Hidden Surprises: The Hershey Kisses tucked inside add a delightful, melty surprise that takes monkey bread to the next level.
Customizable & Festive: Using Christmas sprinkles adds that joyful seasonal touch, making it perfect for holiday brunch or dessert tables.

A close-up view of a shiny golden-brown monkey bread loaf covered with red, green, and white sprinkles scattered on all sides and the surface it's placed on. The bread looks sticky and textured with rounded pieces tightly packed together, sitting on a white plate against a white marbled surface with blurred holiday decorations in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe’s beauty lies in its simplicity. The refrigerated biscuit dough works wonderfully because it’s soft, flaky, and easy to shape, while the cinnamon sugar and brown sugar butter sauce give just the right balance of sweetness and warmth. Plus, the sprinkles and kisses throw in that extra festive cheer.

Flat lay of two stacks of golden refrigerated biscuit dough rounds, a small mound of colorful Christmas sprinkles, a neat pile of unwrapped silver Hershey Kisses, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, another small white bowl containing ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl with melted golden butter, a small white bowl holding packed brown sugar, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Store-bought dough saves tons of time, plus it bakes up fluffy and perfect for pulling apart.
Christmas Sprinkles: Beyond the festive look, they add a fun crunch and color that kids adore.
Hershey Kisses: Melty chocolate pockets hidden inside make every bite a fun surprise—don’t skip them!
Granulated Sugar: Combined with cinnamon, it coats each dough ball and creates a deliciously sweet crust.
Ground Cinnamon: Classic spice for warmth and nostalgic holiday flavor.
Unsalted Butter: Makes the sauce rich without extra saltiness, helping the brown sugar meld perfectly.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes, making the topping sticky and irresistibly tasty.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love about this Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to swap the sprinkles for crushed peppermint candies or chopped nuts for a twist. You can even add a pinch of orange zest into the cinnamon sugar mix to add a fresh holiday zing.

Chocolate Lovers’ Variation: Try mixing in mini chocolate chips with the Hershey Kisses for extra melty bites. It’s a chocoholic’s dream!
Nut-Free Option: Simply omit any nuts or try sunflower seeds for a safe, crunchy substitute.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Look for gluten-free biscuit dough brands; the rest of the recipe stays the same and is just as delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Dough Ready with a Sweet Surprise

Start by cutting each biscuit into quarters. I find using a pizza slicer makes this quick and neat, especially when you’re prepping a couple of packages. Flatten each quarter slightly, then add a few Christmas sprinkles and tuck in an unwrapped Hershey Kiss before rolling the dough back into a tight ball. This part is so fun—kind of like making little edible ornaments!

Step 2: Coat Those Dough Balls in Cinnamon Sugar Magic

Mix your granulated sugar and cinnamon in a large ziplock bag. This combo is the heart of that nostalgic monkey bread flavor. Add a few dough balls at a time to the bag and shake it up until each piece is thoroughly coated. Tackling smaller batches prevents clumping and ensures every ball is perfectly sweet and spiced.

Step 3: Layer in the Bundt Pan and Pour Butter Sauce

Place each cinnamon-sugar-coated dough ball into your prepared bundt pan, layering evenly. Next, melt your butter and brown sugar together over medium heat until smooth and bubbling—it’s pure caramel deliciousness. Pour this liquid gold evenly over the dough balls, soaking them in gooey sweetness.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Aromatic

Bake the monkey bread at 350°F for about 30-40 minutes. You’ll want to watch for that beautiful deep-brown top—this means it’s caramelized and ready to pull apart. After removing from the oven, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes so the sticky sauce sets up just right before flipping it out onto a serving plate.

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

For the final touch, sprinkle a few more Christmas sprinkles over the top to brighten things up. Serve warm so everyone can pull apart those delightful, melty bites. It’s like holiday magic in bread form!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found a few tricks that make this Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe a guaranteed hit every time. Here’s what I keep in mind to avoid common slip-ups and get that perfect pull-apart texture.

Use Fresh Biscuit Dough: Older dough can get tough, so pick the freshest packages to ensure softness and rise.
Shake in Batches: Toss the dough balls in cinnamon sugar a few at a time—this keeps the coating even and prevents clumping.
Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Letting the baked bread cool slightly before flipping helps keep it together and avoids sauce dripping everywhere.
Nonstick Preparation: Make sure to spray your bundt pan generously to avoid any sticky disasters when you invert the bread.

How to Serve Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe

Christmas Monkey Bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with more sprinkles for a cheerful look but sometimes add a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate for extra festive flair. A spoonful of whipped cream on the side wouldn’t hurt either!

Side Dishes

This monkey bread pairs beautifully with fresh fruit platters, a warm cup of coffee or cocoa, and even a simple egg casserole for a full holiday brunch spread that everyone will rave about.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I wrapped the bundt pan carefully with a festive ribbon and set it right on the Christmas table as a centerpiece—guaranteed to spark smiles and curious forks! You can also serve individual pull-apart portions in mini muffin tins for a party-friendly bite size treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I wrap leftover monkey bread tightly with plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It usually keeps well for 1-2 days—just warm it before serving to bring back that gooey magic.

Freezing

I’ve frozen fully baked Christmas Monkey Bread before by wrapping it twice in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven. The texture holds up surprisingly well for a festive treat on demand!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the monkey bread in a 300°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, covered loosely with foil to keep it moist while warming. It revives the buttery, cinnamon sweetness perfectly without drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade biscuit dough for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works wonderfully and adds a fresh, flaky texture. Just make sure your dough is not too sticky and is chilled well before shaping.

How do I prevent the monkey bread from sticking to the pan?

Spraying the bundt pan liberally with non-stick cooking spray before adding the dough balls is key. Some people also lightly butter and flour their pan for extra insurance.

Can I prepare this recipe the night before?

You can assemble the dough balls in the bundt pan the night before, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Just bring it back to room temperature before baking, and keep in mind it might need a bit more time in the oven.

What’s the best way to serve leftover monkey bread?

Leftover monkey bread tastes amazing warmed up in the oven or microwave. Pair it with coffee, hot chocolate, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Monkey Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart and kitchen because it’s more than just food—it’s a joyful ritual I share with loved ones that brings smiles and warmth. I genuinely hope you try it and discover your own holiday magic with each sticky, cinnamon-sugary pull. It’s truly a recipe made for togetherness, and I can’t wait to hear how you personalize it.