December 3, 2008

Sweet cinnamon monkey bread - A cinnamon roll wannabe

first

last 1

The sweet smell of baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the air, many a times wondering how it could actually sweeten up the air it mingles with. The aroma and warmth of it just unbeatable.
Sigh! But those cinnamon rolls are loaded with butter and sugar that makes it exclusive, isn't it? Oh well, at least the icing that goes on top of it. Without the icing, it is just makes a mass of swirled dough!

This recipe fuses two of my favorite things, bread and those sinful cinnamon rolls. I did come up with this just because I couldn't resist the idea of bringing those two in one healthful dish and also because I just adore the spice called Cinnamon.
In fact, it is such a versatile spice, used in both savory and sweets dishes. But again, to best preserve its aroma and flavor, I always store a good quality cinnamon powder and sticks in the freezer.

The name "monkey bread", because it is basically a pull apart bread, that comes off in little individual rolls. They are usually single layered, but I stacked them on top to give it that bee hive effect.
You may also slice them, toast it, and slather a little of some good spread mixed with honey and "wow" yourself! :)

My recipe calls for 1/4 cup of cinnamon and sugar mixed together, but this actually does not knead that much. It is just the minimum I could come up with so that I can acutally roll the dough in. You will have a lot of leftover which you may use later.
So people who are trying to stay away from sugar... try not be intimidated by this one.

Sweet cinnamon monkey bread

Ingredients:

White Whole wheat flour - 3 cups
Whole wheat pastry flour - 1 cup
Yeast - 2 tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Warm water - 1/4 cup
Salt - To taste
Water - To knead
Cinnamon + Sugar - 1/4 cup (Adjust the concentration of cinnamon as need be)

Method:

Mix yeast, and 1 tsp of sugar with warm water. Let it activate for about 10 min.

Meanwhile mix the flour and salt together. Add it to the yeast mixture and knead along with salt and more water.

Knead till it forms a smooth ball. That should be about 15 min. The more you knead, the better rise you will get.

before rise

Cover and let it sit for about 2 hours, till it doubles.

after rise

Plop it over onto a floured surface and fold over a few times.

Roll them into balls and coat each one with cinnamon sugar and arrange on the baking pan of any shape you prefer. They will expand, so space in between them in okay.

bake

Cover and let it rise for about an hour or two.

Preheat oven to 375F.

Bake for about 40 min or until golden brown on top and the cinnamon sugar gives it a nice color.

Rest for about an hour outside the oven.

You could either pull them apart or slice them to serve.

last

first 1

90 comments:

  1. seems easy and healthy. looks great.. romba tempting a iruku. nice attempt to make it low fat.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know it is delish and delish.I too had made orange and cardamom version.This looks lovely and I wish I could inhale the cinnamony smell that wafted while baking.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another one of your awesome recipes that is going into my must try recipes folder....looks fantastic,love the healthy twist to this bread using whole wheat flour!

    ReplyDelete
  4. These look phenomenal!! I heart cinammon rolls of sickly sweet syrup all over them make them ooey gooey and terribly sinful. I love that you made these healthier w/o compromising on flavor, great pic!I am majorly impressed by bakers and people who make bread, how do you do it? Takes a lot of patience I suppose:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love all of your recipes! Gives me hope for whole wheat baking! I'm not much of a baker as it is...then throw in the whole wheat element and I'm lost! These look great!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice name to the bread. Is there a way I could substitute Cinnamon????
    Also Can I have your email to get in touch????

    ReplyDelete
  7. I cannot wait to try these! I love the idea of getting all of that great cinnamon smell and taste in a healthier package!

    ReplyDelete
  8. this is one other recipe i need to try from your blog.It is piling up already and I better start doing them soon. Monkey? good creativity...I thought intha breada nee senchathala monkey breadnu per vechierukanu LOL!hey just kiddin...:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. My dad used to make monkey bread and it was amazing, but you took it to a whole other level with the cinnamon YUM!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That bread looks heavenly, I bet it's fantastic fresh from the oven!

    ReplyDelete
  11. what a lovely bread with a funny name! mmm. I can smell the aroma of cinnamon right from the pic.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Bread looks scrumptious..seems very interesting Anu, can guess the aroma of this bread, wat a amazing falvoursome bread, BTW u looks too cute..

    ReplyDelete
  13. This looks really delicious - I really love cinnamon too. Definitely feels like December when there's so many spices like cinnamon, cardamom and saffron around! Looking forward to trying this recipe out. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm usually put off by the bread-sugar-cinnamon combo. It reminds me of the airport cinnabons, which I dont like. But your homemade version sounds fabulous! Monkey bread is always fun!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love cinnamon bread. Beautiful monkey bread you have made; I love the textural airyness!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am not cinnamon & sweet person, I ve seen many monkey bread but this one looks good and with healthy ingredi. Hope u enjoyed the bread!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely bread, Divya. I can almost imagine the heavenly aroma of cinnamon filling your house as you baked this. Delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh my! You have such a pair of great hands in kneading. Your bread looks heavenly!! Yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. wow..i did not not know it was so easy to make monkey bread..i had imagined something really complicated..and about the smell of the cinnamon, is indeed so heavenly..will try this one sometim,e..

    ReplyDelete
  20. Every time I see a monkey bread recipe I want to make it but I never do because it's so unhealthy. My passion with cooking is to make dishes healthier and you are an expert at it, I love this!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the aroma of cinnamon..I was just imagining cinnamon filled bread ummm.....

    ReplyDelete
  22. hey is that u in logo pic. so cute da. Bread romba nalla irukku adhavida neenga(ninga thane!) romba nalla irukinga ha ha ha....

    ReplyDelete
  23. Very creative dish Anu, looks yummy :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a magnificent and decadent breakfast treat. For anytime really. Monkey bread is such a cute name for this delicious recipe of cinnamon rolls. Thank you Anudivya.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gorgeous and looks so tempting. Me too love the cinnamon flavor in the bread.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love cinnamon roll! Especially with a cold glass of milk.

    Your cinnamon monkey bread looks yummy :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. is that you in the profile pic,dearie?

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love cinnamon rolls too. But after the indulgence it kinda makes me uncomfortably full. This should be reaalllllyyyyy good. bookmarking this. That pic of all the dough together kinda made me laugh,a s if some kid dunked the balls in the hoop:-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I promise myself, baking bread with yeast is one of the things to learn and do. Your posts always inspire me. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi, first time here, this looks so cute and delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lovely..and whole grain so no guilt.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Bread looks yummy. I love the aroma of cinnamon. You have made the recipe sound simple making me to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. looks yummy n sounds new ..

    ReplyDelete
  34. mmmmm ....thy loks so warm and fresh,...:-)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Anu, Thanks for your comment. Even me first time into your blog, amazed of your recipes, still have to explore. And me i started my sugar art just 5 months back. catch u later.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ha aha. let me know yr mail id dear. On c ing yr old chilli pic I thought of calling u as red hot chilli pepper Ah??!.. But u looks so cool and kiddish.
    New n hot post is waiting come n enjoy dear.

    ReplyDelete
  37. They look so warm, fresh and tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Mm.. Superb bread! yummy yummy!
    Check out my blog too and let me know ur comments.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oops! This seems a must try here.yes,we too are serious cinnamon flavourites.But i usually make the powder at home..the bread looks awesome anu..

    ReplyDelete
  40. That such nice looking bread i must try it bookmarked

    ReplyDelete
  41. wow! that's looking scrumptious!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would love to grab a piece from that..it looks divine Anu..just perfect!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for this recipe, Anudivya! Looks delish ... cinnamon is an ingredient I can use liberally.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Would love to taste a piece of that freshly baked bread!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. That looks delicious! Tempting me so much to grab one..

    ReplyDelete
  46. This sounds so cool and healthy. The cinnamon roll i do is loaded full o butter, but ur version is so good. Will try this soon.... YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  47. WOw they looks so beautiful.
    Wish i really had few of them.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This looks FANTASTIC! I love cinnamon anything so this bread is calling my name.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Monkey bread is such a funny name Divya!! hehehe...but I jus love the pic of the dough so shiny it looks :) Wonder how u managed to knead and also click a pic like that?It looks very yummy and nice.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I've never made monkey bread, but this looks and sounds absolutely delicious!
    Please stop by my blog for a well deserved award. http://akbaking.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  51. Oh dear ! this looks divine. I love cinnamon and bread recipes . They are so sonforting. This is a must try for me. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love the concept of monkey bread - we don't have it in the UK. It's on my "to bake" list!
    Yours looks divine!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Fantastic bread with a funky name.
    you look hotter than those chillie peppers;)

    ReplyDelete
  54. wow.. looks really delicious.. thxs for sharing..

    ReplyDelete
  55. The aroma of cinnamon as this baked must've been great! The pull apart rolls look yum.

    ReplyDelete
  56. That looks delicious and right on time for the holidays. Thank you for the recipe :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hulloo Divya. You changed your icon. Nice to put a face to you. I've just started baking, and am looking for varieties. I love this dish, and majorly just for its name 'Monkey Bread' hee hee . I am going to try and invent Donkey Bread :-))))))))))))
    All your dishes, and presentation are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Such a great looking bread. I am sure it tasted delicious. Love the name too, pretty unique and sweet monkey, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Wow, that looks really delicious! :)

    This is my first time to your blog. You have a really great place here. I will have to come back again!

    ReplyDelete
  60. looks wonderfull a bowl full of breads. and a good healthy twist.

    ReplyDelete
  61. hey divya is that u in the pic???U look so cute dear...am sort of missing all ur recipes in this busy month...hope i'll soon catch up with u all guys..

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi Divya,
    Your icon is CHANGED now,your Blog looks much better(NO MORE CHILLIES)
    Ramkumar

    ReplyDelete
  63. Looks delicious and aromatic.. Never ventured in the field of bread making

    ReplyDelete
  64. hey i just baked a batch of simple white bread last night in the MW...so no browning as such..but tasted good...infact served it for breakfast today. :)

    ReplyDelete
  65. That bread looks perfect for breakfast, I'd love to eat some right now!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Yum those look great. Check out my blog for an award I gave you!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Wow....luks amazing, sounds healthy too..

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hey, this cinnamom bread looks just great.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Mmmmm... I love cinnamon as well. The recipe sounds amazing. I can imagine the aroma of the cinnamon while baking. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  70. This looks so divine. I can just imagine the smell of wintry cinnamon wafting through the flat!

    ReplyDelete
  71. This looks completely scrumptious!

    I keep hearing about "monkey bread," but I've never had it before... that's definitely gonna change soon!

    Thanks for the recipe :)

    ReplyDelete
  72. These look fantastic! beautiful pictures! I belive you that the smell of these rolls baking was awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  73. now that's a very cute photo of yours. Good to see in picture too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  74. Superb, these looks so nice and yummy !! tempting pictures !!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Ranjani - One of the reasons I bake bread, is because I am totally addicted. It is a satisfying process. Once you start it, can be difficult to stop.

    Sangeeth - Appadiyum vechikkalaam :)

    Kaitlin & AK Mom - Thanks so much for the awards. Appreciate your gesture.

    Cilantro - Yes you can substitute Cinnamon, what kind of spice do you have in mind?

    ReplyDelete
  76. oh my gosh...looks lovly...nice tempting rolls...ur profile pic looks beautiful...

    ReplyDelete
  77. Wow..you are popular :-)
    I really don't know why the feed is not working for ya.
    My feed link is as follows:
    http://veggiefoodist.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

    Beyond that I'm clueless..sorry. But if I go to follower, I see you, so I don't know what's going on.

    ReplyDelete
  78. This looks beautiful, I've seen a lot of great recipes for monkey bread but never tried it before.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Hmm, interesting recipe.. I've not heard about monkey bread before.. But looks healthy and tempting!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Wow looks gr8. Name sounds amusing.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Looks tempting.. Your recipes are always different . I admire your recipes. Profile picture looks cute :-)

    ReplyDelete
  82. 87 comments? my goodness.. u r going to win "most commented blog" award.hehe

    ReplyDelete
  83. Your snaps lok so good I can almost smell the freshly baked bread and the cinnamon. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  84. Oh this looks so good! Thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post. I will try to respond to queries as soon as I can. If I miss anything that needs to be addressed... please feel free to ping me again.
Happy cooking/baking or whatever it is you are doing in the kitchen! :)