Gorilla Bread
Ingredients
8
servings
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick - 8 tablespoon)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
- 2 (12 oz) cans 10 count refrigerated biscuit
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts (divided in three half cups)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over low heat, stirring well, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
- Cut the cream cheese into 20 equal cubes. Press the biscuits out with your fingers and sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon sugar. Place a cube of cream cheese in the center of each biscuit, wrapping and sealing the dough around the cream cheese.
- Sprinkle one of the 1/2 cup portions of the walnuts into the bottom of the bundt pan. Place half of the prepared biscuits in the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, pour half of the melted butter mixture over the biscuits, and sprinkle on another 1/2 cup of walnuts.
- Layer the remaining biscuits on top, sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar, pour the remaining butter mixture over the biscuits, and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of walnuts.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and biscuits are cooked through. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.
- Place a plate on top and invert. Make a pot of coffee and share while warm.
Common Problems and Solutions
Q: Why is the cream cheese leaking out during baking?
A: Make sure to seal the biscuit dough completely around each cream cheese cube, pinching the seams tightly. The dough should overlap and be pressed firmly together.
Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
A: You can assemble the Gorilla Bread the night before, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and bake it in the morning. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Tips and Techniques
Use room temperature cream cheese for easier cutting into cubes. If you toast the walnuts for 5-7 minutes before adding them to the recipe, it will enhance their flavor significantly.
Ingredient Substitutions
- walnuts: pecans or almonds
- refrigerated biscuits: homemade biscuit dough
- cream cheese: mascarpone cheese
Equipment Needed
- bundt pan
- saucepan
- mixing bowl
Historical Context
Gorilla Bread is a modern twist on the classic Monkey Bread that’s been popular in the South for generations. The addition of cream cheese filling is what sets it apart and gives it the “gorilla” upgrade.
