This Glazed Lemon Monkey Bread is made with homemade bun dough rolled in lemon sugar, baked, and covered in a thick lemon glaze. The perfect make ahead breakfast, brunch or dessert!
Hands up: how many of you hated lemon growing up?
I hear you. My hand is up there, too.
As a kid, I thought dessert was chocolate or – well, pretty much just chocolate.
It didn’t have to be full-on chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie would be fine. I’d even take an oatmeal raisin (though not if there were chocolate chip nearby).
Maybe apple crisp if there was ice cream, or hey, just the ice cream.
Speaking of ice cream, I don’t think my mom ever bought chocolate ice cream when I was a kid. I don’t even think I had chocolate ice cream until I moved out of the house (though we’ve always been big fans of going out for ice cream, so luckily I had a little more selection there). My mom was always pretty particular about some things she likes.
Vanilla ice cream (or a swirl is acceptable).
A certain chocolate chip cookie recipe.
A certain double chocolate chip cookie recipe.
And I never felt cheated growing up, you know?
My mom always made fabulous food, and her homemade buns and cookies are pretty legendary.
But now that I’m a somewhat responsible adult, living away from my parents and even doing an all right job at keeping my own kids alive and well, I get to branch out and experiment with some of the things I never had growing up. And maybe even throw a few new recipes in here and there!
I’ve also grown to appreciate some new flavours, like lemon, and now I’m totally obsessed. Maybe it’s a lot like sour candies. The sweet and the tangy pair so well together, I can’t get enough.
It’s the same thing with rhubarb, right? I hated rhubarb growing up. I wouldn’t touch it.
And now? Love it.
I like to think my life is better, richer, now that I can enjoy a wider range of desserts. That’s what it’s all about, right?
I first made this lemon monkey bread with biscuit dough, and I baked it in a pie plate similar to these Cinnamon Roll Bites. It was pretty good, but I really just wanted to make it again with a great yeast bun dough.
How to make this Lemon Monkey Bread ahead:
I was kind of dreading putting the whole thing together in the morning so I could bake it, and then I realized I actually didn’t have to.
You can make pretty much any yeast dough recipe and let it rise in the fridge overnight. The dough doesn’t rise as quickly, so your monkey bread won’t be all over your fridge when you wake up in the morning.
Simply prepare up to the point of baking, then cover tightly and refrigerate overnight until ready to bake. Remove from the fridge and let come to room temperature while your oven preheats, then bake as directed.
Variations of this Lemon Monkey Bread:
- To make this Lemon Monkey Bread simpler, you could use store bought biscuit or yeast bread or bun dough.
- Try swapping the lemon zest and juice for orange or lime
- You can bake in a 9×13″ pan if you don’t have a bundt pan — just keep an eye on it as it may be done sooner
*This post, recipe, images and video have been updated since its original posting in May 2015
Glazed Lemon Monkey Bread
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
Yeast bun dough
- 1/4 cup warm water 105-110 degrees F — warm but not hot
- 1.5 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast I use instant, but either works in this recipe
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3-3.5 cups all purpose flour
Lemon Coating
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon zest from 4 lemons
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
Yeast bun dough
- In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the ¼ cup warm water, yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes or until bubbly — this is how you know your yeast is working. This step is technically not required when using instant yeast, but I do it always anyways, so that I know my buns will be a success.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a very large bowl if you are kneading by hand), whisk together the 1 cup warm water, butter, 2 tablespoons sugar and salt. Add the bubbly yeast mixture and stir to combine.
- Place the bowl in the stand mixer and put the dough hook on the machine. You can also knead by hand.
- Add the flour, one cup at a time, and mix until nearly combined before adding more. You can use all purpose or whole wheat or a combination. Start with 2 cups flour, mixing until each is incorporated, then gradually adding more.
- Add up to 3.5 cups flour total, very gradually at the end, until the dough comes together in a smooth, soft ball and does not stick to the sides of the stand mixer. When you touch it, it should be smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Place dough in a large lightly greased bowl (you can use the same bowl and grease it), and cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Set in a warm spot (I use the oven with the light on — turn the oven on to preheat for 2-4 minutes before turning off and adding the dough) and let rise until doubled, about 1.5 hours.
Lemon Coating and Assembly
- Grease a large bundt pan well and set aside.
- In a small bowl put the melted butter. In another small bowl, combine the 1 cup sugar and lemon zest.
- Roll bun dough (after rising) into 1” balls and dip first in butter and then cover in lemon sugar mixture. Place in greased bundt pan.
- When all the dough has been used, pour any remaining butter over the top and cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, and set in the fridge overnight to bake in the morning or let it rise on the counter for 1 hour and bake that day
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap or towel from the bundt pan and bake, uncovered, for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown on top.
- Carefully run a knife around the edges of the monkey bread while still warm. Place a large plate on top of the pan, and flip to invert.
Glaze:
- Stir together powdered sugar and just enough lemon juice so that it comes together — the more lemon juice you use, the thinner the glaze will be.
- Drizzle over monkey bread and serve.
Nutrition Information
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Mary Frances says
I absolutely love your new design! It’s stunning!
And this bread, you are speaking my language Ashley, all things lemon! Especially during spring. And monkey bread is seriously irresistible – pinning!
Ashley says
Thanks so much girl!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
This bread looks so so delicious! Major drooling happening!
Ashley says
Thanks Manali!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
I love lemon cake and this one is just gorgeous! Can’t wait to try out the recipe! Pinned.
Ashley says
Thanks Amy!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
You know, I can’t remember if I liked or disliked lemon when I was little but I know I did LOVE ice cream! Vanilla with Caramel and chocolate drizzle or peanut butter would do too!! But now, I adore lemon in nearly any fashion!
Ashley says
Haha, I like all of the above!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Lemon is my absolutely favorite! This monkey bread is gorgeous, Ashley! I am dying for a piece of this! I love that lemon glaze too – so delicious!
Ashley says
Thanks Kelly! It’s one of my favorites too!
Shinee says
Oookay, it’s time for me to make some monkey bread! I’m obsessed with lemon too, Ashley, and this sounds like a winner breakfast!
Ashley says
Thanks Shinee! It is definitely time!
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
Yep, HATED lemon flavored desserts as a kid! I mean, come on?! Where’s my chocolate? Ha! But now I love the freshness they lend to a sweet treat – and this monkey bread look soooo amazing, Ashley!
Ashley says
Haha, glad I wasn’t the only one Nora! Thanks friend 🙂
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Mmm this looks dangerously good Ashley!! I could swim in that yummy glaze
Ashley says
Thanks Rachel! I might have done just that… 🙂
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
I LOVEEE this bread Ashley! Lemon is one of my favorite flavors! This looks like a perfect brunch item! Pinned!
On the MUST Try list!
Ashley says
Thanks Mariah! I love lemon too!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
I love monkey bread! It’s so snackable and i love this lemon variety 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Medha!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
Monkey Bread is one of my all-time favorites which is exactly why I don’t make it often. (HA!) My sisters and I once made one and ate the entire thing in one sitting (and thankfully lived to tell…) I love lemon! My mouth is watering at the thought of this! Beautiful.
Ashley says
Haha, that’s a pretty good reason not to make something! I have to refrain from eating everything I make all the time!
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
I’m exactly the same with lemon things. Growing up dessert pretty much needed to involve chocolate – and to be honest I would still pick chocolate most of the time when given the option – but I do love lemon things now. I’ve been making lemon everything lately! This monkey bread looks incredible!
Ashley says
Haha, it’s hard to beat a good chocolate dessert! But there are days I want something light and citrusy 🙂
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I have always loved lemon! I buy them by the bag because I use them in so many dishes. My sisters-in-law are all tea drinkers and this would be a nice treat for them! However, it wouldn’t last long!
Ashley says
Haha, I don’t think it would!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Yum! Monkey bread should be the national food for any holiday. Its a must! Love this lemon flavored one!
Ashley says
Thanks Krista!
Allie | BakingAMoment says
Girl this thing is seriously gorgeous! Like, a work of art! My mouth is watering just looking at it. And my hand is definitely not up. I love lemon and always have! 🙂
Ashley says
Haha, that’s a good way to be! I was not a very adventurous eater when I was young! Thanks Allie 🙂
Jen says
I want to rip right into this monkey bread! Love the lemon version and your photos are gorgeous!
Ashley says
Thanks Jen!
Kate @ Diethood says
I wish I was somewhere very near to this monkey bread. Goodness… I would tear it to shreds!! YUM!
Ashley says
Haha, it definitely was Kate!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
My mom pretty much stuck to the same foods and recipes while I was growing up too but she did it because my dad and my siblings are picky. She would’ve loved to experiment though! I’m wishing I had some of this monkey bread to enjoy with my cup of coffee.
Ashley says
I think my mom did it for the same reason — my dad is pretty specific with the things he likes! I’m just more picky when it comes to vegetables than desserts… 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Ashley, I love this monkey bread!!!! and I think I had it all while growing up: Cheap ketchup, imitation Cool Whip and store bought chocolate ice cream. and lots of it. what does this say about my parents?! 😛 🙂 hahah! and lemons! 🙂 I’ve always loved lemons. . and love love love this monkey bread!!!
Ashley says
Haha, everyone has their thing, right? Thanks Alice!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh monkey bread is my weakness! I hardly ever make it because I always end up devouring the entire pan! This lemon version sounds amazing, Ashley! Love that glaze, too!
Ashley says
Thanks Gayle! Turns out I have lots of weaknesses… Lol