Hungarian Coffee Cake (Monkey Bread)
📜 Collection: LOC | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Desserts A classic, pull-apart Hungarian coffee cake made from a rich, yeasted sweet dough. Balls of dough are dipped in melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar-nut mixture, then layered in a tube pan and baked into a gooey, delightful treat.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 mins | 40 mins | 2 hours 45 mins | 1 coffee cake |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Small bowl
- Very large bowl
- Spoon
- Greased bowl
- Damp cloth
- Tube pan
- Serving plate
Ingredients
Sweet Dough (Makes enough for 2 cakes)
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cups | Lukewarm Milk | Used with active dry yeast |
| ½ Cup | Sugar | For dough |
| 2 tsps | Salt | None |
| 2 pkgs | Active Dry Yeast | Proofed in warm water |
| ½ Cup | Soft Shortening | Softened |
| 2 | Eggs | None |
| 7-7 ½ Cups | Sifted Flour | Sifted |
Topping/Filling (For 1 cake)
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ½ Cup | Melted Butter | Melted |
| ¾ Cup | Sugar | For topping |
| 1 tsp | Cinnamon | Ground |
| ½ Cup | Finely Chopped Nuts | Finely chopped |
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sweet Dough
- If using active dry yeast, dissolve 2 pkgs active dry yeast in ½ cup lukewarm water and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy. Use only 1 ½ cups milk in the next step.
- In a very large bowl, combine the 2 cups lukewarm milk, ½ cup sugar, and 2 tsps salt. Stir to dissolve.
- Stir in the ½ cup soft shortening, 2 eggs, and the proofed yeast mixture.
- Gradually add the 7-7 ½ cups sifted flour, first with a spoon and then with your hands, until a soft dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead for about 5-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 ½ - 2 hours until doubled.
- Punch the dough down and let it rise again for another 30-45 minutes.
Step 2: Assemble and Bake
- Take half of the prepared sweet dough for this recipe.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Generously grease a tube pan.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ¾ cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ½ cup finely chopped nuts. Have your ½ cup melted butter ready in another small bowl.
- Cut the dough into small, walnut-sized pieces and roll them into balls.
- Roll each ball first in the ½ cup melted butter, then in the cinnamon-sugar-nut mixture.
- Place the coated dough balls in the prepared pan, layering them loosely.
- Let the assembled cake rise for 45 minutes.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. Serve warm.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: The remaining half of the sweet dough can be refrigerated or used for another coffee cake or rolls within 2-3 days.
Original Recipe Scan
