With a name like "Monkey Bread," it's bound to be good! Monkey bread is the cute moniker given to sweet bread covered in sweet, sticky cinnamon sugar that you can pull apart (like monkeys!). I absolutely loved the original when I first made it from pre-made biscuit dough (gasp!).

Now, I introduce to you, "How to Make Almond Butter Monkey Bread"! This recipe has come a long way from those biscuit dough days. This version is not only made completely from scratch, but also I decided to fill each pull apart piece with delicious almond butter! (Not to mention these are baked in a cupcake tin, instead of the usual bundt pan, so you get your own personal monkey bread!)

I also know that some of you have New Years resolutions that run somewhere along the lines of eating healthier. Good news! This does not mean you can't make this delicious monkey bread because I have included healthy (-er) versions of the decadent original! Yay!

Happy Baking!

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Step 1: Ingredients

To make this delicious dessert...

For the dough, you'll need:

2 tablespoons softened butter and 2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup milk at about 110 degrees
1/3 cup water also at about 110 degrees
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 jar of almond butter (see step 3 for variations)

For the sugar coating, you'll need:

3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 stick of melted butter

Step 2: Combine and Kneading

In a bowl, combine the milk, water, melted butter, sugar, and yeast.

Then, in another mixing bowl, add the flour and salt together. Use the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer. Add the wet ingredients, and begin mixing on medium speed until the dough comes together.

Keep mixing until it becomes smooth. It shouldn't be too sticky and have some elasticity. I added some more flour (about 4 tablespoons) to keep the dough from being too sticky. You can also knead the dough by hand totally, but it can a bit (read: a lot!) tiring :)

Use melted butter and coat the bottom and sides of large bowl. Place the ball of dough into the bowl and coat the top with some melted butter. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel and put it in a slightly warm place for 1.5 hours.

Step 3: Forming the Dough Balls and Variations

After the dough is done rising, remove the dough onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out into a square and cut into pieces (I did a 8in by 8in square which I cut into 64 pieces).

Then, in another bowl, make the sugar coating by combining the brown sugar and cinnamon. Melt the stick of butter for the coating.

To make the dough balls,

Take a piece of dough and use your fingers to flatten.
Use a small spoon and spoon a dollop of almond butter in the middle.
Fold the diagonal corners of the dough together, as seen in the picture.
Roll into a ball.

Dip each ball into the butter and then coat with the brown sugar mixture.

Healthy step! Here are some healthier variations that I came up with that also taste awesome!

For the filling:
- I also used all kinds of jams to fill the inside of the dough balls (ex: apricot and pineapple).
- Dried fruit or even fresh fruit! (Just make sure it doesn't puncture a hole in the dough)
- Coconut flakes!
- You can also make a savory version with vegetables (I also made some with Chinese BBQ pork). Just skip the dipping in sugar step!
For the coating:
- Coconut oil: It is actually a really great and healthy butter substitute. I found out that it boosts immune systems, helps maintain blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol, and many other awesome health related benefits.

Step 4: Assemble

To make my mini personal versions, place each of the dough balls into a greased cupcake tin (as many as you can fit!). Put it in a warm place and let the dough rise for another 1.5 hours.

Step 5: Baking and Finish!

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to remove the bread from the tins before the sugar sticks to the tin!

And, now you have it! Delicious, almond butter filled (or a variation), monkey bread!

Almond-butter filled monkey bread is perfect for dessert or even for a sweet breakfast. It has the perfect combination of sweet and stickiness, with a little surprise waiting for you in the middle! You can add some extra glaze on top (or even some more jam) to jazz them up for guests or for yourself.