Cooking Time:
2-3 hours on LowServings:
12
Ingredients
16.3 oz. Pillsbury Grands biscuits1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon, ground
8 oz. butter, stick, melted - (use butter, not margarine)
1/2 c. chopped pecans (optional)
Slow Cooker Monkey Bread is great for breakfast, brunch, after school snack, or even a dessert for some meals.
- Use a slow cooker liner in a 5 quart slow cooker and spray the liner with cooking spray.
- Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl. Mix sugars and cinnamon together in another bowl.
- Cut each biscuit into quarters. (Note: There have been questions about what Grands biscuits are – see them HERE.)
- Line up the following ingredients in this order: biscuits, butter, sugar cinnamon mixture.
- Dip biscuits into butter then roll in sugar cinnamon mixture and put in one layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. They will fit very snugly. (Note: If adding pecans (optional) sprinkle them in now.)
- Place paper towel over top of crock. (This will keep the condensation from dripping down on the monkey bread.)
- Cover. Cook on Low for 2-3 hours. Each crock cooks differently, so you will need to check!
- When biscuits are done, lift out the liner and transfer to a plate.
- A simple way to remove from the liner is to roll it down over the sides of the plate, and slide off with a large spatula!
- Mix a cup of confectioners sugar and a couple tablespoons of milk for the icing. (Optional)
- Drizzle over the top of of the monkey bread. (Optional…but very good)
Happy Crocking!
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XOXO,
Jenn
This is good but I used only half the amount of butter you suggested and still had some left over!
What will happen if you use margarine instead? If I could use margarine, I could do this without having to go to the store.
Hello Erin, you should be able to use margarine in place of the butter! Happy Crocking!
Hey there. My local store doesn’t have crock pot liners, and I was wondering if there is any alternative that I may already have at home, or if the liner is REALLY a necessity.
Krissis, You can use tin foil on the bottom and up the sides to make it easier to lift out! Happy Crocking!
You can also use parchment paper. It can take the heat and won’t add any flavor. Bakers use it all the time in cake pans.
With this recipe do you not need to add extra “syrup”, like a brown sugar and butter mixture to make them remain moist like you do in the oven, in a bundt pan?
No… just follow the recipe, and it is YUMMY!
I dont have a liner….but an old and very faithful crockpot. Will this recipe still work without the liner? BTW—-LOVE your stuff!
Yes Steven, but you may put foil in the crock pot to make it easier to lift out! Thanks for the compliment, and Happy Crocking!
Hello Steven, you don’t have to use a liner, but if you want to place foil in the bottom of the crock it will make it easier to lift out. Thanks for the compliment, and Happy Crocking!
Can parchment paper be used in place of a liner or tin foil?
Jessika, I believe the parchment paper will work fine. Happy Crocking!
plse tell me are you American because we don’t have cans of biscuits here in NZ are these like scones
Raewyn I am American, and I changed the wording to say container, but the biscuits are actually in a cardboard side container, with aluminum bases. You can also make your biscuits if you are unable to buy them where you are from. Happy Crocking!
You can also use tin foil – but – fold to make three or for long pieces like a star – and bring them up the sides of the crock pot, this way it will be easy to lift out.
Can the recipe be doubled, putting another layer of biscuits on top of the first layer?
Hey Toni, I have not attempted to make it with the extra layer, but if you do, please post back and let us know how it turned out. Happy Crocking!
What size crockpot do you use?
Hey Melinda, thanks for the question. I use my 5 – 6 quart crock pot for this recipe. Hope this helps, and Happy Crocking!
How many servings are in this recipe? I love your recipes but serving size is one thing I always have trouble pin-pointing. Thanks:)
Hi Michelle – If you look at the top right-hand corner of each recipe it will tell you the # of servings and crocking time. This recipe is for 12 servings. Thanks for your questions and Happy Crocking!
Hi, I really want to try this, but no way in Germany to get crockpot liners anywhere.
Do you think it´s okay if I just use cooking spray right in the crockpot?
Hi Alice – yes, you can totally do this without a liner. Just make sure you use a non-stick spray or butter the crock to prevent sticking. Thanks for your question, and Happy Crocking!
This looks amazing by the way! Can you use parchment paper instead of aluminum foil?
I haven’t used parchment paper with this particular recipe but I have used it in the crock pot before so I think that would be fine. Happy Crocking!
I use to make this in oven, but with frozen yeast rolls or bread dough. This s0unds much easier. Could ii use yeast dough successfully in crock pot????
Hi Betty, I haven’t made it that way but I bet it would work. If you decide to make it, please comment back and let us all know how it turned out. Thanks & Happy Crocking!
I have a 7 qt crockpot. Will this work with that size? I’m really new to using crockpots!
Hi Nancy – I would reduce the crocking time or at least keep a close eye on it the first time. 7 quarts is a large crock pot and with more cooking surface the recipe will probably be done sooner. If you make it please comment back and let us all know how it turned out with the 7 quart crock. Thanks & Happy Crocking!
You take 2-3 hours to make this. I can make my monkey bread in 30 minutes.
Hi Brian – Thanks for your comment. I like this slow cooker version because I can prep the night before and then throw it in the crock and wake up to breakfast!
I love your ideas, but a lot of the time we don’t have the ingredients as I am in the UK. Please can you give us this recipe in an English version, as not sure what you mean about the cookies, are they raw ones that you use?
Thanks
Suzie I want to make sure I answer you correctly, and confused when you say cookies? Can you clarify, as I definitely want to answer you correctly. Thank you and I await your reply!
What we call cookies here in the US they call biscuits so she may be confused thinking when you say biscuits you mean cookies. Suzie she’s using American biscuits like you would eat with gravy or like a piece of sausage between two layers of a biscuit, what you guys would call scones in England (different than US scones)
Suzie – Biscuits and cookies are two different things in the U.S. Here, biscuits are a (mostly) savory bread item, not a sweet dessert food. This is a good “copycat” recipe for the kind of biscuits this monkey bread recipe calls for. Hope that helps! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/jps-big-daddy-biscuits/
Suzie, American “biscuits” are basically plain rolls. Any raw roll dough would work. I know in UK “biscuits” refers to cookies, but in US they are savory.
Suzie, biscuits in the U.S. are not the same as in the U.K., we call those cookies. Here biscuits are a form of non-yeast bread, often the leavening comes from baking powder and also buttermilk.
And yes they are raw. Here in the US you can buy biscuits (scones) in a round cardboard tube (google the brand she mentioned to see a pic) You unwrap the tube and they come stacked on top of each other and you put them in your oven just like if you were to make them from scratch (or in this case your crockpot for monkey bread)
Thanks Lyn this will help so many of our Facebook friends! Appreciate you assistance.. Big Smile! :-))))
I have Bisquick that I can make biscuits from, I can make the dough from it. Could I use that in place of the Pillsbury biscuits?
Katherine several of my Facebook Friends have stated they have done just that, and it was PERFECT! Enjoy and Happy Crocking!
I’ve made this, but not in a crock pot. I use a bundt pan and store bought pizza dough. Everything else is the same. Do you think it’ll work in a crock pot with the pizza dough?
Absolutely! Sound like you have a WINNER! Enjoy and Happy Crocking!
Looks delicious! I think the confusion is about the word ‘biscuits’ which to people in NZ and UK describes what you would call a cookie or even a cracker in the UK . An American biscuit seems to be what we call a ‘scone’ from what I’ve tasted. Very easy to make the scone dough yourself which is what I might do.
Have you ever tried putting this together the night before? I wasn’t sure if they biscuits would rise, or if they’d be fine since they’re in the refrigerator.
I make this the night before all the time. It is so so good!
I think I just saw an answer to my question in one of your previous answers. This sounds great — I think I’ll give it a try! Thanks!
New to this whole cooking thing, is there a diff. between Dark brown sugar and just brown sugar? Thanks this looks awesome.
Yes Mark there is a difference. The dark brown sugar has a very strong molasses flavor, and the light brown sugar has a light molasses flavor and is a drier sugar. There is also the golden brown sugar and it is in-between the two flavors. Enjoy and Happy Crocking!
For Europeans, their word for cookie is biscuit. That’s why some are having difficulty understanding what you are talking about. Looks like a great recipe!
I don’t understand how you can “throw it in the crock and wake up to breakfast” if it only cooks for 2-3 hours. Do you use a timer with your crock to start cooking in the early morning?
Some people do Kim! I prefer to prep the night before, and set my alarm and drop it in, turn it on, get a glass of water (?) and back to bed I go!
Never use margarine! What would happen if you don’t have a liner?
Janet do you have cooking spray? That would work too!
I make these and if you don’t want to wait 2 hrs for these to cook…I make mine in a tube pan sprayed with Pam, cook them until they are brown like you would biscuits and wa-la!!! They are ready in a few minutes and they are so good.
Hi Jenn,
I realize this makes 12 servings, but what size are the servings? (1/2 cup, 3/4 cup, etc.)?
That is a tough one Maegan, as it depends on the persons eating it. Most servings would be about 1/2 cup I would say. 🙂
I’m trying to come up with nice things to make when visiting my husband (who is away from home for work) over Thanksgiving. The hotel where he is staying has a kitchenette, but no crock pot and no oven. Is there a way this could be done on the stove in a large pot over very low heat? He loves cinnamon rolls and monkey bread and misses home cooking a lot. I’m pressed for ideas and limited to a stove….
Jenn, I am not sure how it would turn out, but maybe you should test it at home to see if this is something you can make for him. You are a sweet wife, and I know he will appreciate your home cooked meal. Happy Crocking!
Jenn, if you own a crock pot, why not bring it with you and just plug it in there? Your hubby will love it!
Hi Jenn,
You could create a makeshift stove top oven by putting a smaller pot inside a larger one. you will need to elevate the smaller one off the bottom of the larger one using small stones or small balls of foil.
This is done by campers all the time to create an oven on a camp fire.
Hiya, im in the uk too and I think what she means is what biscuits can we use as we don’t have those you specify in the recipe. Love to make his so can’t wait to find out what biscuits to use. To me they look like shortbread x
Katie, if you don’t have what we call biscuits you can use any raw dough, such as raw bread dough in place of the biscuits. Hope this helps, and Happy Crocking!
I made this dish as an inexpensive dessert for my husband almost forty years ago in a cake pan in the oven. It was a go to for years until I started on insulin for diabetes!
Jenn just take your crock pot with u !!
Hi! Do you know if you can start these before bed? So when you wake up they are done? Or do you have a reciepe that you can make and let bake overnight?
Thank you!
This recipe will not work overnight. I have recipes on my website at getcrocked.com that allow you to cook over night, and you will find them under the breakfast tab. Please check them out! http://www.getcrocked.com/category/mains/breakfast/ Hope this helps!
Can you put a crock in the heating part if it is cold from being in the fridge? Does that effect the cooking time since the crock has to warm up more? Thanks!
Bridget that is a very good question! Appreciate you asking! A couple things, it is not good for the crock, as it may cause it to crack, and yes it also effects the cooking time, as it takes the crock longer to heat up. When I prep the night before, I don’t prep in the crock, but in a slow cooker liner, and just drop it in when I want to start the crock. OR… depending on what I am making, I prep in baggies, and assemble into the crock the next day. If you do prep in the crock… Read more »
I want to do this…but I don’t want it to be the sweet kind…what would you suggest for doing the garlic type?
I have made this before but mine always came out dry. Going to try yours. They look wonderful and moist. Will let you know how they come out.
I have a small 1 1/2 quart crock pot can I make two different batches
Betty you could halve the recipe, and make it that way. Enjoy!
i love monkey bread my gramma use to make it when ias a little girl n i can never make it the sm
ame she always let us help and i loved it now i have a easy recipe i can let my little one help me with which they love doing and its easy they each take turns measuing a couple things its great i love all ur recipes i share them daily on fb thank you
Thank you Jess! Appreciate your support!
How do you tell when they are done cooking?!? Is there some sort of magic test, or do you just guess.
Brooke it all depends on your slow cooker. I cook mine for the stated time, but others say theirs gets done sooner, so you just need to know your slow cooker. Not the best answer, but I also don’t want to answer you incorrectly and cause a problem with your bread. They are really good! Enjoy!
can i use Crescent rolls
Hi Carrie make this recipe your own, I am sure the crescent rolls would work fine too! Happy Crocking!
Hi,
I only have light brown sugar do I need to add anything for this to work correctly? Thanks in advance and love this page!!
Kristie you should use what you have on hand, the only difference between light and dark is the dark has a little more flavor. Enjoy it will still be GREAT! Happy Crocking!
It’s in the crockpot now I’m so excited! Thanks!!!
Ok I made this and had it ready for the kids and hubby this morning! I drizzled a bit of syrup on top before I turned the crock pot on. It was so yummy…only one problem.. the outside burned by the time the middle was done…has this happened to any one else? Could it be stired to prevent that? Any ideas?
Does it have to be DARK brown sugar?
It does not have to be dark brown sugar, but it does add flavor to the Monkey Bread!
Do you have any recipe for a three qt crock pot? It just me and my husband now.
Hello Linda, you can make about any of the recipes in a 3 quart slow cooker, you would most likely want to cut several of the recipe in half. Enjoy! :–)
Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark?
Hello! We tried making this recipe this morning, and we are now going on 4 hours waiting for it to finish! I think the recipe is a little misleading when you say that it cooks in 2-3 hours, because I noticed in the comments that you let yours sit out to room temperature before cooking which obviously lowers the cooking time. I think if you amended the recipe to state that it needs to sit out before you cook it, or give an accurate cooking time for if it doesn’t sit out, it would be much less confusing. Thanks! Looking… Read more »
I make this, but I also sprinkle dry butterscotch pudding on the bread before cooking. I guess in this recipe roll it in the pudding after the sugar mixture.
if i added small bite size apple bits would it add to much moisture?
Ninboot this should work fine! Please post back and let us know how it worked! Happy Crocking!