There’s something magical about the gooey mix of cinnamon, sugar, and melted chocolate all wrapped inside soft, fluffy dough—this Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe will fill your kitchen with that warm holiday feeling. It’s not just delicious; it's a festive showstopper that brings everyone together for a sweet, shareable treat.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Every holiday season, I crave something indulgent but fun to share with family. This Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe nails it — it’s easy to make, mess-free, and bursts with flavors everyone loves. Plus, the surprise hidden Hershey Kisses melt in every bite, making it extra special.
- Effortless Prep: Minimal ingredients and quick assembly mean you can whip this up even during the busiest holiday mornings.
- Playful Surprise: The Hershey Kisses inside create pockets of melted chocolate that delight kids and adults alike.
- Festive Flair: Colorful Christmas sprinkles add a cheerful touch that brightens up your holiday table.
- Shareable & Fun: Everyone gets to pull apart their own sweet bite—making it a cozy, interactive centerpiece.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe is in its simplicity — every ingredient plays a role in creating that comforting, gooey texture and flavor combo that feels like a warm hug. You don’t need fancy stuff — just basics you likely have at home and a little festive magic.
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Using pre-made biscuit dough saves time while ensuring soft, fluffy bites—no yeast or rising needed.
- Christmas Sprinkles: Adds vibrant pops of color and that unmistakable holiday cheer on every piece.
- Hershey Kisses: The gooey chocolate center is what sets this monkey bread apart—feel free to try different flavors for a twist.
- Granulated Sugar: Keeps the coating sweet and crunchy in the sugar and cinnamon mix.
- Ground Cinnamon: Classic warmth and spice that perfectly complements the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Creates the luscious sauce that glazes the bread, adding richness without overpowering flavors.
- Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes to the butter sauce for that irresistible golden crust.
Make It Your Way
I love making this Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe my own by playing with the chocolate flavors and sprinkles. You can easily switch Hershey Kisses flavors — dark chocolate, caramel-filled, or even mint — to surprise guests with new tastes each year.
- Variation: One year, I added chopped nuts like pecans to the sugar-cinnamon coating for a bit of crunch, and it was a hit!
- Dietary Modification: For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter and look for vegan chocolate kisses.
- Seasonal Twist: Swap out the Christmas sprinkles for autumn-themed colors around Thanksgiving for a cozy fall version.
- Difficulty Levels: This recipe’s straightforward steps make it beginner-friendly; even baking novices can succeed on their first try!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Dough and Bundt Pan
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and give your bundt pan a generous spray of non-stick cooking spray. Trust me, you want your monkey bread to come out smoothly without sticking. While the oven warms up, I like to organize my workspace — get out the biscuit dough, sprinkles, and unwrapped Hershey Kisses so everything’s within reach.
Step 2: Cut and Fill the Dough
Take each biscuit from the dough packages and cut it into quarters. I find a pizza slicer works wonders here, making quick work of quartering each biscuit evenly. Flatten each quarter gently with your fingers, then sprinkle on some Christmas sprinkles, place a Hershey Kiss in the center, and roll the dough around it to seal the kiss inside a little dough ball. It’s like prepping tiny, festive presents! Set these aside on a clean plate or tray.
Step 3: Coat the Dough Balls
Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a large ziplock bag — just shake it up until evenly combined. Add a few dough balls at a time into the bag and shake again gently, handing them a nice even coat of cinnamon sugar. This step is so satisfying, and that sugary crust is where a lot of the magic happens!
Step 4: Layer and Sauce
Place the coated dough balls evenly into your prepared bundt pan, stacking them up like little holiday ornaments. Next, melt butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat — I like to stir constantly so it doesn’t burn and forms a smooth syrup. Once melted and glossy, pour this golden sauce over the dough balls, drenching them in that irresistible caramel glaze.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake the monkey bread for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top turns a deep, inviting brown and things smell like Christmas in the air. Let the bundt pan cool for about 10 minutes — this resting time helps the gooey sauce settle, making it easier to flip—and then carefully invert it onto a serving plate. Add a few extra sprinkles on top for the festive finish, and you’re ready to dig in!
Top Tip
Throughout my many attempts with this Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe, I discovered a few small tweaks that make the biggest difference in texture and flavor—you’ll be delighted once you try them!
- Use a Pizza Cutter for Speed: Quartering biscuits with a pizza cutter keeps the pieces even and minimizes dough tear.
- Seal the Dough Balls Well: Make sure to pinch the dough over the Hershey Kiss so it doesn’t peek out and melt onto the pan during baking.
- Don’t Skip the Cooling Step: Letting the bread cool slightly before flipping prevents gooey messes and keeps the shape intact.
- Use Fresh Butter and Brown Sugar: Fresh ingredients create the best caramel sauce—avoid substitutes that taste too artificial or watery.
How to Serve Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish off my monkey bread with a generous sprinkle of festive red and green Christmas sprinkles. It adds such a joyful touch, especially when serving guests or kids. If you want extra flair, dust a little powdered sugar over the top just before serving—it adds a delicate, snowy glow that feels very festive.
Side Dishes
This sweet pull-apart bread pairs beautifully with savory breakfast sides like scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or even a fresh fruit salad. I’ve found the combination of sweet, salty, and fresh really balances out and keeps everyone satisfied.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I sometimes serve the monkey bread on a festive platter surrounded by little bowls of extra Hershey Kisses or chocolate sauce for dipping. Another fun idea: wrap a big red ribbon around the bundt pan before bringing it to the table—it immediately doubles as a charming gift or centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftover Christmas Monkey Bread loosely wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays soft and just as flavorful for up to two days, perfect for second helpings or breakfast the next morning.
Freezing
If you want to freeze the baked bread, I recommend wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. It holds well for about a month. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to life, pop individual pieces in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm the whole loaf in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes. This refreshes the gooey texture and keeps that irresistible caramel sauce silky and delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works wonderfully, but keep in mind it might be a bit stickier and take slightly longer to bake depending on your recipe.
You can assemble it the night before and keep it covered in the fridge, but I recommend waiting to add the butter and brown sugar sauce until you’re ready to bake for best texture and flavor.
Classic milk chocolate Hershey Kisses are perfect, but I’ve had great results with caramel-filled, dark chocolate, and even peppermint flavors, depending on your holiday vibe.
Generous non-stick spray is key, plus letting the bread cool before flipping helps everything come out cleanly. You can also lightly butter the pan in addition to spray for extra security.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe has become a beloved part of my holiday traditions — it’s the kind of treat that fills your home with warmth and joy, and brings everyone running to the table. It’s easy to make, incredibly comforting, and packed with festive cheer. Give it a try this season, and I promise it’ll become one of your favorites too!
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Christmas Monkey Bread with Hershey Kisses Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Monkey Bread is a delightful pull-apart treat made with cinnamon-sugar coated biscuit dough filled with holiday sprinkles and Hershey Kisses. Baked in a bundt pan and drizzled with a buttery brown sugar glaze, it’s perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or as a sweet breakfast treat.
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 2 packages refrigerated biscuit dough (such as Pillsbury Grands)
- Christmas sprinkles (about ¼ cup for filling plus extra for topping)
- Hershey Kisses, unwrapped (about 24 candies, any flavor)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Brown Sugar Glaze
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350℉. Grease a bundt pan thoroughly with non-stick spray and set it aside.
- Prepare dough balls: Cut each biscuit into quarters using a pizza slicer or knife. Slightly flatten each piece, place a few Christmas sprinkles and one unwrapped Hershey Kiss onto the dough, then roll it into a ball. Repeat this process with all biscuit quarters.
- Coat dough balls: In a large zip-top bag, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon, shaking well to mix. Add a few dough balls at a time to the bag, seal it, and shake until each ball is completely coated with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Remove the coated balls and place them carefully into the prepared bundt pan. Continue until all dough balls are coated and arranged in the pan.
- Make the glaze: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter together with the packed brown sugar, stirring until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour glaze and bake: Pour the warm brown sugar and butter mixture evenly over the coated dough balls in the bundt pan. Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the top is a deep golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bundt pan from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Carefully invert the monkey bread onto a serving plate. Sprinkle additional Christmas sprinkles on top for festive decoration. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Using a pizza slicer to quarter biscuits speeds up the preparation process.
- Unwrapping Hershey Kisses beforehand saves time during assembly.
- You can substitute any flavor of Hershey Kisses based on preference.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before inverting to prevent it from falling apart.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or warm gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
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