Easy Eggnog Monkey Bread (Microwave Recipe)
If you’re looking for the easiest holiday breakfast or dessert ever, this Eggnog Monkey Bread is about to become your new December tradition. It’s warm, gooey, festive, and ready in under 10 minutes thanks to one simple shortcut: microwaving the monkey bread right in a Pyrex bowl. I learned this recipe as a simple monkey bread in 7th grade home economics and resurrected it as a parent. Then, I put my own spin on it based on the viral tiktok cinnamon rolls with heavy cream and basically, arrived at perfection. This recipe is SO good and SO easy. It’s the perfect holiday breakfast because it requires absolutely zero effort and still seems fancy and put together!
This recipe uses refrigerator cinnamon rolls (yes, the classic tube!) along with a buttery brown sugar coating and a splash of eggnog that gives the whole dish a creamy, custardy holiday flavor. Whether you’re making it for Christmas morning, a family movie night, or a last-minute holiday party, this monkey bread is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. It is one of the recipes that I get asked for most often, because people can’t believe 1) how quickly I whip them up and 2) how absolutely addicting and amazing they are.
Why You’ll Love This Eggnog Monkey Bread
- Quick & effortless — no rising time, no baking, no messing with rolling dough
- Eggnog soaked — the eggnog seeps into the cinnamon rolls as they cook, making every bite so, so, good and moist and festive
- Microwave method — perfect for busy mornings or when the oven is full of holiday goodies
- Kid friendly + holiday worthy — tastes like cinnamon rolls meets bread pudding meets Christmas magic
Ingredients
- 1 tube refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- Eggnog (enough to pour 1/3–1/2 way up the roll mixture in the bowl)
How to Make Eggnog Monkey Bread (Microwave Method)
1. Prep the Cinnamon Rolls
Open your tube of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into four pieces. Set aside.
2. Create the Buttery Coating
In a medium bowl, melt 1/3 cup butter and stir in 1/3 cup brown sugar until combined.
Add the cinnamon roll pieces and toss until everything is coated in that sweet, buttery goodness.
3. Build the Monkey Bread
Place a microwave safe round Pyrex baking dish on your counter.
To create a ring shape:
- Put a small bowl or juice glass in the center of the Pyrex to act as your “donut hole.”
- Spoon the coated roll pieces around it, forming a circle.
4. Pour in the Eggnog
Carefully pour eggnog over the roll pieces until the liquid reaches about 1/3–1/2 of the height of the mixture. This is what gives the final dish its soft, bread-pudding-meets-cinnamon roll texture.
5. Microwave
Cover the bowl and microwave for 3–4 minutes, depending on your microwave strength.
The monkey bread should look puffed and set, with the eggnog absorbed.
6. Invert & Serve
Remove the inner cup/glass carefully. Place a plate over the bowl, flip it upside down, and lift the bowl away to reveal your beautiful, glossy eggnog monkey bread ring.
Microwave Cooking Tips
- Use microwave-safe dishes. Make sure both your outer Pyrex dish and the smaller bowl used to create the center hole are labeled microwave-safe. Avoid using an ordinary drinking glass unless it’s specifically approved for microwave use.
- Check for doneness. Microwave cooking times can vary depending on the wattage of your microwave and the size of your dish. The cinnamon rolls should be puffed up and cooked through, with no raw, doughy centers.
- Cook in short intervals if needed. Start with the cooking time that works for your microwave, then add 15–30 seconds at a time until the dough is fully cooked.
- Be careful when flipping. The dish, center bowl, and melted sugar mixture will be extremely hot. Use oven mitts and a heat-safe serving plate.
Serving Ideas
- Drizzle with leftover icing from the cinnamon roll tube
- Dust with powdered sugar
- Add a sprinkle of nutmeg for even more holiday flavor
- Serve warm with a mug of crockpot hot chocolate, eggnog latte, or Christmas punch
Tips for Success
- Don’t overfill with eggnog — just 1/3–1/2 up the rolls is perfect.
- Microwave times vary — start at 3 minutes and add 15 seconds at a time if needed.
- The ring shape helps it cook evenly — keep the center bowl in place until after cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make eggnog monkey bread without eggnog?
Yes, but it’s less festive! If you don’t have eggnog on hand, you can just use heavy cream instead. You’ll still get a rich, gooey cinnamon roll monkey bread, just without the festive eggnog flavor. Cooking time and texture may vary.
Can I make this monkey bread in the oven?
This recipe was developed specifically for the microwave, but you can make a baked version using an oven-safe dish. You’ll need to adjust the cooking time and temperature for the dough and dish you’re using. Be sure the cinnamon rolls are fully baked before serving.
What kind of cinnamon rolls work best?
Regular refrigerated cinnamon rolls, nothing fancy. They’re easy to cut into smaller pieces and already have plenty of cinnamon flavor. Plus, you can use the included icing to drizzle over the finished monkey bread if you need another rush of sugar!
How do I store leftover eggnog monkey bread?
To be honest… I’ve never had leftovers of this. It’s best right out of the oven and does tend to get hard and dry kind of quickly. If needed, you should be able to store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through.
Can I make this ahead of time?
I would not. This recipe is so quick that I recommend making it fresh! You can measure out your ingredients ahead of time, but wait to combine the dough and eggnog until you’re ready to cook it for the best texture.
This homemade Eggnog Monkey Bread is one of those recipes you’ll want to make again and again during December (or any time you can get your hands on eggnog). It’s fast, warm, festive, and perfect for busy mornings when you still want something special on the table. Whip it up for Christmas breakfast, cozy weekend mornings, or anytime you’re craving something cinnamon-sweet with a holiday twist.
Eggnog Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- 1 tube refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- Eggnog enough to pour 1/3–1/2 of the way up the roll mixture
Instructions
- Open the tube of cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into four pieces.
- In a medium bowl, melt 1/3 cup butter and stir in 1/3 cup brown sugar.
- Add the cinnamon roll pieces to the butter mixture and mix until fully coated.
- Grease a microwave-safe Pyrex bowl.
- Place a small bowl or juice glass in the center of the Pyrex to create a ring shape.
- Spoon the coated cinnamon roll pieces around the center bowl.
- Pour eggnog over the rolls until it reaches about 1/3–1/2 the height of the mixture.
- Cover and microwave for 3–4 minutes, or until the monkey bread is puffed and cooked through.
- Remove the center glass carefully.
- Invert the monkey bread onto a plate and serve warm.
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