Nancy Reagan's Monkey Bread

Nancy Reagan's Monkey Bread

(10 servings)    Printable Version
  • 1 3/5-ounce cake compressed yeast or 1 package dry yeast
  • 1 and 1/4 cups milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 and 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter - at room temperature
  • additional butter - melted
In a bowl, mix the yeast with part of the milk until dissolved. Add two eggs and beat. Then mix in dry ingredients. Add remaining milk a little at a time, mixing thoroughly, then cut in 1 and 1/2 sticks butter until thoroughly blended. Knead the dough, let rise in a warm draft-free place for one to one and a half hours, or until it doubles in bulk. Knead again, and let rise a second time, 30-40 minutes.

On a floured board, roll dough out into the shape of a log. Cut into 28 equal pieces.

Prepare two 9-inch ring molds by brushing with the melted butter and dusting with flour. Form each piece of dough into a ball and roll in dish of melted butter. Place 8 or 9 balls in the bottom of each ring mold, leaving space between balls. Then place the remaining balls on top, spacing evenly and dividing equally between the two molds.

Let dough rise in a warm draft-free place. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush tops of rings with remaining egg (beaten), and bake in preheated oven until golden, approximately 15 minutes.

Makes two 9-inch rings.


The Hour Magazine Cookbook

Available via Amazon.com
 This recipe is from the classic cookbook titled The Hour Magazine Cookbook (Gary Collins, Putnam, 1985).

The subtitle for this cookbook is "The most popular recipes from America's most informative television show." At the time, Hour Magazine hosted by Gary Collins was the most popular daytime magazine-format show on television.

The Hour Magazine Cookbook only has a few breakfast recipes, but it's worth a look for the many other recipes (many of an exotic nature) that were presented on the program.


In The Hour Magazine Cookbook, Gary Collins introduced this recipe like so: "First Lady Nancy Reagan came to Hour Magazine to present a five part series with me, on children and drugs... as soon as she came to the studio, she pulled out some homemade cookies and handed them out to the crew and staff. Knowing that cooking is close to her heart, I asked her to submit a favorite recipe. She chose Monkey Bread."

Mr Breakfast would like to thank Mr Breakfast for this recipe.

Comments About This Recipe
What do you think of Nancy Reagan's Monkey Bread?
Overall Average Rating = 5 (out of 5)
Based on 2 votes.


From Annabelle
Rating (out of 5):  

I grew up on Monkey Bread! I'm not sure if this is the same way my mom used to make, but if it is... Deeeee-licious!

Comment submitted: 6/3/2010 (#10599)



From roberta-florita
Rating (out of 5):  

I loved this as a kid. So I just made it for my own kids for the first time this weekend.

Comment submitted: 2/9/2009 (#7551)




See All 436 Recipes For Baked Goods


Connect With Mr Breakfast:

Mr Breakfast At FaceBook
Mr Breakfast On Twitter
Mr Breakfast On Pinterest