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Irresistible Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread: The Ultimate Savory Pull-Apart Delight

Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary experience with this incredible Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread! Forget everything you thought you knew about monkey bread; this isn’t your grandma’s sweet, sticky treat (unless your grandma was a secret savory genius!). This is a truly scratch-made, savory pull-apart bread that’s gloriously extra cheesy, bursting with crispy bacon bliss, and guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Perfect for brunch, an appetizer, or even a unique dinner side, this dish offers a delightful communal eating experience that’s both fun and incredibly satisfying.

What Makes Monkey Bread So Utterly Irresistible?

There’s something inherently magical about monkey bread, isn’t there? Perhaps it’s the whimsical name, or maybe it’s the sheer joy of pulling apart warm, soft balls of bread with your hands. It’s a dish designed for sharing, for gathering around a table, and for digging in without formality. This communal aspect makes it perfect for any occasion where people come together, fostering a sense of warmth and delicious camaraderie. But when you take that beloved concept and infuse it with the irresistible flavors of sharp cheddar cheese and salty, crispy bacon, you elevate it to an entirely new level. This savory transformation makes every bite a delightful surprise, far removed from its sweet counterparts, offering a hearty and satisfying alternative that appeals to all ages. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to go a little “ooh ooh eee eee aah aah” with every savory morsel!

My savory take on monkey bread is truly irresistible! Imagine fluffy, tender dough balls generously enrobed in a rich blend of melted cheddar cheese and perfectly crispy, fried bacon. This creates a brunch centerpiece or a dinner side dish that is not only visually appealing but also guaranteed to be devoured with enthusiasm. The combination of textures—the soft bread, the gooey cheese, and the crunchy bacon—creates a symphony in your mouth that leaves you craving just one more pull. It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor, making it a standout recipe you’ll be eager to bake time and time again.

Crafting Your Savory Masterpiece: A Step-by-Step Guide

Despite its impressive appearance and decadent taste, this Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread is surprisingly simple to make, encouraging you to bake it again and again. The process is straightforward, allowing even novice bakers to achieve fantastic results. It begins with creating a tender, yeasted dough from scratch, which forms the perfect foundation for our savory additions. The magic truly unfolds as you prepare the ingredients and assemble them into a spectacular pull-apart loaf.

While your homemade dough is leisurely rising to perfection, you’ll embark on the delightful task of frying up some bacon until it reaches peak crispiness. This isn’t just about the bacon bits; it’s also about the invaluable bacon fat. After the bacon cools and is crumbled into tempting little bits, you’ll reserve about 1/4 cup of that precious bacon fat. This golden elixir will be used for dipping the dough balls, infusing each piece with an extra layer of smoky, savory flavor before they are layered into the tube pan. This step is crucial for achieving that deeply rich taste that sets this monkey bread apart.

Once the dough has gracefully risen, doubling in size, and your bacon is perfectly crumbled, it’s time for the assembly. You’ll gently form the soft, elastic dough into uniform 1-inch balls. Each little ball then takes a quick, flavorful dip in the reserved bacon fat, ensuring maximum taste. These glistening dough balls are then carefully layered into your prepared tube pan, alternating with generous handfuls of sharp shredded cheddar cheese and those irresistible crispy crumbled bacon bits. This meticulous layering ensures that every single pull-apart piece is loaded with cheesy, bacony goodness. Mmmm…mmm…mmmm! The anticipation builds with each layer, promising an explosion of flavor.

Tips for Flawless Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread

Achieving perfection with your Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread is easier than you think with a few helpful tips. First, the dough is key. Ensure your active dry yeast is fresh and proof it in warm water with a pinch of sugar; this step confirms its vitality and helps create that wonderfully fluffy texture. Don’t rush the rising process; a warm, draft-free spot is ideal for the dough to double in size, which contributes significantly to the bread’s airiness. When preparing the bacon, aim for extra crispness without burning. This ensures a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft bread and gooey cheese. And remember, reserving that 1/4 cup of bacon fat isn’t optional—it’s essential for infusing each dough ball with deep, savory notes.

When it comes to cheese, quality matters. Opt for a good quality sharp cheddar and shred it yourself from a block if possible. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can hinder its melt. For the pan, a 9 or 10-inch tube pan is ideal, allowing the bread to bake evenly and providing that classic monkey bread shape. Buttering the pan thoroughly prevents sticking and aids in the easy inversion of the finished loaf. Finally, resist the urge to over-pack the dough balls in the pan. Leaving a thumb’s width of space between each ensures they have room to expand and bake properly, allowing the cheese and bacon to melt wonderfully in between the gaps, creating those irresistible pull-apart layers.

Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations

Once baked, your house will be filled with a warm, exciting aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with indulgent whiffs of melted cheese and crispy bacon. Oh my, the anticipation is almost as good as the first bite! This Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread is incredibly versatile and makes a fantastic addition to various meals and occasions. For brunch, it’s a show-stopping centerpiece alongside eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee. Imagine the joy of your guests pulling off warm, cheesy, bacony pieces to enjoy with their morning coffee or mimosa. It also serves wonderfully as an appetizer at parties or potlucks. Simply place it on a large platter and watch it disappear as guests delight in its interactive nature.

Don’t limit this delight to just breakfast or appetizers! This savory monkey bread can also be a unique and comforting side dish for dinner. Pair it with a hearty soup, a crisp green salad, or roasted chicken for a complete and satisfying meal. The rich flavors of bacon and cheddar complement a wide range of main courses. Feeling adventurous? You can easily customize this recipe to suit your palate. Consider adding finely chopped chives or green onions to the cheese and bacon layers for an extra aromatic kick. A pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika could deepen the savory profile. For a little heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes would be fantastic. You could even experiment with different types of cheese, like a Monterey Jack for a milder, creamier melt, or a spicy pepper jack for an extra zing. The possibilities are endless, ensuring you can enjoy this versatile bread in many delicious forms!

Storage and Reheating

While this Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread is undeniably best served warm, freshly out of the oven, leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) can be stored. Simply cover the remaining bread tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the bread in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and the cheese is gooey again. A quick zap in the microwave can also work for individual pieces, but the oven will help restore some of its crispy texture.

You absolutely gotta give this recipe a try! It’s an experience from start to finish, from the enticing aromas filling your kitchen to the satisfying act of pulling apart each delicious piece. Enjoy every single savory bite!

xoxo,

Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread

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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 2 hours 40 mins
Yield: 10
Category: Breakfast

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Description

This Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread is a scratch-made savory pull-apart bread that’s extra cheesy and loaded with bacon bliss. Perfect for a delicious brunch, a unique appetizer, or a comforting dinner side.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, melted & slightly cooled
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon sugar
1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast (2–1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 cup warm water
2–1/2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour for a slightly less chewy texture)
1 teaspoon salt
12 slices bacon, preferably thick-cut for more flavor
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

In a large bowl, melt the butter. Set aside to cool slightly, ensuring it’s not too hot for the yeast.
In a separate small bowl, combine the active dry yeast and sugar. Gently pour the warm water (around 105-115°F / 40-46°C) over the mixture. Let it proof until foamy, which should take about 10 minutes. This confirms the yeast is active.
Once the butter has cooled slightly, whisk in the milk, egg, and the proofed yeast mixture until well combined. Add the flour (bread flour will give a chewier texture, while all-purpose works fine too) and salt, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Using well-floured hands, form the dough into a moist, cohesive ball. Place the dough ball into a lightly buttered bowl, turning to coat, then cover tightly with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1-1/2 hours.
While the dough is rising, fry the bacon in a large skillet until it is extra crisp and perfectly rendered. Carefully remove the bacon slices and let them cool on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Reserve exactly 1/4 cup of the flavorful bacon fat from the skillet. Once the bacon is completely cooled, crumble it into small, uniform bits.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly butter a 9 or 10-inch tube pan, ensuring all surfaces are coated to prevent sticking. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese and a few tablespoons of the crumbled bacon evenly onto the bottom of the prepared tube pan.
Gently punch down on the risen dough to release the accumulated air bubbles. Divide the dough roughly in half. Take one half and form it into 1-inch size balls. Dip each dough ball into the reserved melted bacon fat, ensuring it’s fully coated, before arranging it in a single, even layer at the bottom of the tube pan. Leave a small space (about a thumb’s width) between each dough ball for expansion. Sprinkle this layer of dough balls with 1-1/4 cups of shredded cheese and half of the remaining bacon bits. Repeat the process with the second half of the dough, forming 1-inch balls, dipping them in the remaining bacon fat, and layering them over the first layer in the tube pan. Finally, sprinkle the top layer evenly with the rest of the shredded cheese and bacon bits.
Place the filled tube pan onto a baking sheet (to catch any potential overflow of cheese or fat) and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. The monkey bread is ready when it’s beautifully golden brown on top, and the cheese is thoroughly melted and slightly crisp around the edges.
Allow the Bacon Cheddar Monkey Bread to cool in the pan for just 5 minutes. This brief cooling period helps the cheese set slightly. Then, run a thin knife around the outer and inner edges of the bread to loosen it from the pan. Carefully invert the bread onto a large serving plate or wire rack. Serve warm or cooled, pulling apart the delicious, cheesy, bacony pieces to enjoy!