Orange Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread is an easy and delicious twist on a family favorite! Full of warm cinnamon and zesty orange, it can totally be made ahead and is perfect for brunch... or any family gathering! Made with Pillsbury Orange Rolls in under 1 hour.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
- Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- How To Make Pull Apart Bread With Cinnamon Rolls
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tips For Making This Cinnamon Biscuit Monkey Bread Recipe
- What To Serve With Pull Apart Monkey Bread
- Other Delicious Brunch Recipes To Try
- Orange Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread Recipe
Why You'll Love Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
The Pillsbury Monkey Bread recipe is a favorite in many American families, both for its easy preparation and ooey-gooey cinnamon-sugary goodness! Also known as pull apart bread, it's made with cut-up refrigerated biscuits. When ready, you can reach in and pull each sticky delicious piece apart, which makes it fun for kids.
Though I tend to be more of a traditional cinnamon roll kind of gal, I'm not one to turn down an orange roll — and neither is my husband. Throwing a can of those puppies in the oven became a quick and easy way to let this man know I loved him, particularly in the early part of our relationship.
So, not only is this orange monkey bread delicious, but it's also so nostalgic for me! You still have the same ooey-gooey goodness but with the most delicious and distinct orange flavor. Not to mention, this is:
- Incredibly easy
- Made with a handful of ingredients
- Elevated with orange zest and juice
- Perfectly sweet
- Special enough for Christmas (or any holiday) morning
- Family-friendly
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Pillsbury Orange Cinnamon Rolls- The star ingredient! And no, this post is not sponsored by Pillsbury... I just love these so much. Make sure to grab the Orange Rolls if they're available and if not, go with the regular cinnamon rolls from your refrigerated dairy section.
- Sugar- Both white granulated sugar and brown sugar are needed for monkey bread with orange rolls! You could use only granulated if that's all you have, but I really like the added caramel taste of brown sugar.
- Orange- For freshly squeezed orange juice and some zest! 1 orange should be more than enough.
- Butter- I combine a stick of melted butter along with the orange juice, plus some brown sugar. The cinnamon roll dough will soak it up as it bakes, resulting in the best texture and flavor.
- Cinnamon- I add an extra teaspoon of cinnamon to the mix for even more warm and spicy flavor!
How To Make Pull Apart Bread With Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1- Prepare the cinnamon rolls.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and spray a bundt pan with cooking spray.
Slice each orange roll into quarters and lightly roll each one into a ball so it doesn't fall apart. Set aside.
Step 2- Make the butter mixture.
Add the melted butter, brown sugar, and orange juice to a bowl and whisk until fully combined. Set aside.
Step 3- Coat the cinnamon rolls.
Add the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest to a plastic zipper bag and shake until well combined.
Add the pieces to the zip-top bag with the sugar mixture, seal, and shake to coat fully.
Step 4- Assemble & bake.
Pour the contents of the bag into your prepared bundt pan then top with the butter mixture. Bake the orange cinnamon bread for 30-40 minutes.
Let the bread cool for 10-15 minutes then turn it out onto a plate for serving. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact origin is a bit of a mystery! Some people say it's because of the way it's eaten — it's finger food that you pull apart with your hands, similar to how a monkey might do it.
It depends on the recipe. Some are made with margarine and brown sugar, while others, like mine, are made with butter instead. This one is unique because it includes orange juice for extra delicious flavor.
A bundt pan is ideal for this Pillsbury orange rolls recipe but you could also use a 9x13 inch baking pan! You may need to adjust the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on your bread and start checking on it around the 25-minute mark to prevent it from burning.
Yes! You can prep and assemble your bread then store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This would be really helpful if you plan on serving it up for holiday brunch.
Tips For Making This Cinnamon Biscuit Monkey Bread Recipe
- Great sweet main dish option for brunch. This is versatile enough to serve as the primary component for a light breakfast, or among many delicious dishes if you're planning a larger brunch with family.
- Make it sweeter. If you have an extreme sweet tooth, you can totally drizzle the finished orange monkey bread with the glaze that comes with the roll. I found it to already be quite sweet so I didn't do this.
- Be sure to spray the bundt pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking when you invert it.
- Sugar mixture- When you shake up the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest, don't be afraid to use your fingers. You really want to break up and evenly distribute that zest.
- If you find the butter, sugar, and orange juice mixture starts to separate after whisking, give it another good stir before adding it to the orange rolls.
- Your cinnamon orange bread may look too liquidy once you add the butter mixture, but don't worry — the dough will absorb it while it bakes.
- Baking times can vary depending on your oven! Keep a close eye on the bread. I usually check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center. If it comes out clean, it's ready.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- You can prep and assemble your bread the night before if you'd like! That said, this recipe does come together so quickly and easily that it may not be necessary.
- Leftovers and storage- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for 4-5 days. Though, keep in mind it will likely become denser after being refrigerated. You can reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts.
What To Serve With Pull Apart Monkey Bread
Monkey bread with orange rolls has become a staple at all of my family brunches! I usually pair it with a few other sweets plus some savory dishes to balance everything out. Below are my favorites as well as a few others at the bottom of this post:
- Broccoli Cheddar Quiche
- Super Quick Cheese Danish
- Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza
- Baked French Toast with Mixed Berries
Other Delicious Brunch Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Orange Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 orange you'll use the zest and ½ cup of the juice)
- 2 packages Cinnamon Rolls The orange flavor- from the refrigerated section
- ½ cup salted butter melted (1 stick)
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray the bundt pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cut each orange roll into quarters and lightly roll each quarter into a ball so that it doesn't fall apart.
- In a separate bowl whisk together butter, brown sugar and orange juice until fully combined. Set aside (keep the whisk with it because it might separate and you can whisk it again before adding it later).
- In a plastic zipper bag combine granulated sugar, cinnamon and orange zest. Shake until well combined (I also used my fingers to break up and evenly distribute the orange zest).
- Place all the orange roll pieces into the zipper bag with the sugar mixture. Seal it well and shake until each piece of dough is fully coated in the sugar mixture.
- Place the entire contents of the bag into the prepared bundt pan.
- Pour the butter mixture evenly over the contents of the bundt pan.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes. Allow it to cool for around 10-15 minutes and then turn it onto a plate and serve immediately. If not serving right away, cool completely and cover with plastic wrap until you're ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Great sweet main dish option for brunch. This is versatile enough to serve as the primary component for a light breakfast, or among many delicious dishes if you're planning a larger brunch with family.
- Make it sweeter. If you have an extreme sweet tooth, you can totally drizzle the finished orange monkey bread with the glaze that comes with the roll. I found it to already be quite sweet so I didn't do this.
- Be sure to spray the bundt pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking when you invert it.
- Sugar mixture- When you shake up the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest, don't be afraid to use your fingers. You really want to break up and evenly distribute that zest.
- If you find the butter, sugar, and orange juice mixture starts to separate after whisking, give it another good stir before adding it to the orange rolls.
- Your cinnamon orange bread may look too liquidy once you add the butter mixture, but don't worry — the dough will absorb it while it bakes.
- Baking times can vary depending on your oven! Keep a close eye on the bread. I usually check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center. If it comes out clean, it's ready.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- You can prep and assemble your bread the night before if you'd like! That said, this recipe does come together so quickly and easily that it may not be necessary.
- Leftovers and storage- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for 4-5 days. Though, keep in mind it will likely become denser after being refrigerated. You can reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts.
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