Monkey bread is a delightful and popular treat made from bite-sized pieces of dough that are rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked together. As a beloved comfort food, many people wonder if it can be prepared ahead of time. The answer is yes, monkey bread can indeed be made ahead!
Prepping the Dough in Advance
If you’re short on time on the day you plan to serve monkey bread, consider preparing the dough ahead of time. This will allow you to save time without compromising on the deliciousness of the final result. Here’s how to make the dough ahead:
- Follow your favorite monkey bread recipe and prepare the dough as directed.
- After kneading the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying.
- Place the wrapped dough in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container.
- Refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to bake, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Proceed with rolling the dough into balls, coating them with cinnamon sugar, and baking as usual.
Pre-Baking and Reheating
If you prefer to have freshly baked monkey bread without the fuss of preparing the dough ahead, there’s another option. You can bake the monkey bread in advance and reheat it just before serving. Follow these steps:
- Prepare the monkey bread as directed in your recipe, including rolling the dough into balls and coating them with cinnamon sugar.
- Place the prepared monkey bread in a greased baking dish.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Refrigerate the dish for up to 24 hours.
- When you’re ready to serve, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while preheating the oven.
- Bake the monkey bread in the preheated oven according to your recipe’s instructions.
Storing Leftover Monkey Bread
If you have leftovers or want to make monkey bread ahead for future occasions, proper storage is essential to maintain its texture and taste. Here’s how to store leftover monkey bread:
- Allow the monkey bread to cool completely to room temperature.
- Place the leftover monkey bread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.
- Store it at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- To extend its shelf life, you can refrigerate monkey bread for up to 5 days, but keep in mind that it may become slightly denser.
- If you want to enjoy your monkey bread at a later date, freezing is an excellent option. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen monkey bread overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it in the oven or microwave.
Enhancing the Flavor with Make-Ahead Glaze
To make your monkey bread even more scrumptious, consider preparing a make-ahead glaze that complements its flavors. This simple glaze can be stored in the refrigerator and added to fresh or reheated monkey bread just before serving. Here’s a basic recipe for the glaze:
| Ingredients | Measurements |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup |
| Milk | 2 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | 1/2 teaspoon |
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the glaze until ready to use.
- Prior to serving, warm the glaze in the microwave for a few seconds or until it reaches a pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the freshly baked or reheated monkey bread.
Impressing Guests with Make-Ahead Monkey Bread
Hosting a gathering or breakfast get-together can be less stressful when you can make some dishes ahead of time. By knowing that monkey bread can be made ahead, you can effortlessly impress your guests and enjoy their heartwarming reactions when they take a bite of the delectable treat.
So, the next time you are planning to make monkey bread, remember that you have the flexibility to prep the dough in advance, bake it ahead of time, store leftovers properly, and even enhance the flavors with a make-ahead glaze. With these tips, you can confidently tackle the question, “Can monkey bread be made ahead?” and enjoy a stress-free and delicious baking experience.