Description

Turn your Easter brunch into a citrus-scented celebration with this sticky, gooey, lemony monkey bread. Soft, buttery dough balls are coated in zesty lemon sugar, baked golden, and finished with a sweet-tart lemon glaze. It’s easy, forgiving, and an instant crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

1 cup warm milk (105–110°F / 40–43°C)
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
¼ cup granulated sugar
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt

For the Lemon Sugar Coating:

¾ cup granulated sugar
Zest of 2 lemons
¼ cup melted butter

For the Lemon Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp lemon zest

Instructions

1️⃣ Wake Up the Yeast & Make Dough

Combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar; let sit 5–7 min until foamy.
Add remaining sugar, cooled melted butter, and egg. Mix until combined.
Add flour and salt; knead 5–7 min (stand mixer or by hand) until smooth and slightly tacky.

2️⃣ First Rise

Shape dough into a ball, lightly grease a bowl, and coat dough in oil.
Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled (~1 hour).

3️⃣ Lemon Sugar Coating

Rub lemon zest into sugar with your fingers. Melt butter in a separate bowl.
Punch down risen dough and cut into ~1-inch pieces.
Roll each piece in melted butter, then coat in lemon sugar. Place in a greased Bundt pan haphazardly.

4️⃣ Second Rise & Bake

Cover pan and let dough rise 30 min.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 30–35 min until golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.

5️⃣ Flip & Glaze

Cool in pan 10 min, then invert onto a serving plate.
Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest; drizzle over warm bread.

Notes

Blueberry Lemon: Add a blueberry inside each dough ball before coating.
Lavender Infused: Stir 1 tsp dried culinary lavender into the lemon sugar.
Cream Cheese Glaze: Use 4 oz cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla.
Dairy-Free/Vegan: Substitute plant-based milk/butter, and use a flax egg (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water).
Citrus Twist: Swap lemon zest/juice for lime or orange.