Get ready to elevate your morning traditions with the irresistible Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch! Bursting with ruby-pink rhubarb, dollops of creamy cheese, and a golden, pull-apart biscuit dough kissed with cinnamon and buttery brown sugar, this bread is the ultimate treat when you want something a little extra special. Whether serving a crowd or just indulging at home, every bite is a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy. Trust me—one taste of this gooey, glorious bake, and it might just become your signature brunch dish!

Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch is how a few easy-to-find, humble ingredients come together to make something magical. Every component lends a unique flavor, texture, or vibrant color, making each bite worthy of celebration.

Refrigerated biscuit dough (2 cans, 16 oz each): These ready-made biscuits make this bread super easy—and bake up fluffy and golden every time.
Rhubarb (1 ½ cups, diced): The secret star—its tart brightness cuts through the sweetness and makes the loaf unforgettable.
Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds just the right touch of sweet to balance the rhubarb’s tang.
Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Thickens the rhubarb sauce so each layer stays luscious, not runny.
Cream cheese (8 ounces, cubed): Rich and creamy pockets melt into the bread for an indulgent surprise.
Brown sugar (½ cup, packed): Deepens the caramel notes and gives the bread a toffee-like finish.
Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Makes every layer moist and decadent while helping flavors sink in.
Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Warms up the bread with a cozy, comforting spice that’s classic in monkey bread.
Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon): Just a splash, but it brings out the best in both fruit and dough.
Powdered sugar (½ cup): Whisked into a glossy glaze to finish everything with a hint of sweetness.
Milk (1–2 tablespoons, for glaze): Turns the powdered sugar into a pourable, pretty drizzle.

How to Make Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Give your Bundt pan a generous coating of nonstick spray or melted butter—this is key for ensuring the beautiful, sticky bread slips right out in one mesmerizing piece. A thorough greasing means nothing will stick (even that oozy cream cheese).

Step 2: Cook Down the Rhubarb

In a small saucepan, combine your diced rhubarb, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Set this over medium heat and cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring gently, until the mixture has softened and turned rosy, and the sauce thickens into a jammy consistency. Let this cool slightly—this step intensifies the rhubarb flavor and ensures it holds together between layers.

Step 3: Make the Butter Mixture

Grab a mixing bowl and stir together the packed brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until you have a glistening, fragrant mixture. You’ll use this for dunking your biscuit pieces, making every bite sinfully rich and aromatic.

Step 4: Coat the Biscuits

Quarter the refrigerated biscuits and, working one piece at a time, dip each into your luscious brown sugar-butter bath to coat thoroughly. This is where all that classic monkey bread flavor comes from—sticky, spiced, and buttery biscuits.

Step 5: Layer Up the Bread

Layer half of your coated biscuit pieces into the prepared Bundt pan, followed by half the cubed cream cheese and dollops of half the cooled rhubarb mixture. Repeat with the remaining biscuits, cream cheese, and rhubarb. Finish everything off by drizzling any leftover brown sugar-butter mixture over the top. This layering gives you those dreamy pockets of cream cheese and tangy rhubarb in every pull-apart bite.

Step 6: Bake to Gooey Perfection

Pop your assembled pan into the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. You’re looking for a deep golden top and biscuit pieces that are fully cooked at the center (a skewer should come out clean-ish). The smell will fill your kitchen with pure sweet brunch joy!

Step 7: Cool and Glaze

Let the bread cool in the pan for a quick 10 minutes before bravely inverting it onto a serving plate—it should come out in one glorious, sticky piece. While it’s still warm, whisk together powdered sugar and enough milk to make a pourable glaze, then drizzle it generously over the top for a gorgeous finish.

How to Serve Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch

Garnishes

Although this bread is stunning all on its own, a little extra love never hurts! Try finishing with fresh mint leaves, extra diced rhubarb, or even a sprinkle of toasted nuts for crunch. The glaze will catch them beautifully, and they’ll make your Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch look as vibrant as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Pair this decadent bread with bright sides to round out your meal—think a big bowl of fresh berries, a platter of crisp bacon, or a tangy yogurt parfait. The tartness of the rhubarb shines alongside lighter fare, making this monkey bread the undisputed star without overwhelming your brunch table.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch buffet, pull the bread apart and stack the gooey pieces in a big, inviting pile for easy snacking. If you want to impress, nestle the whole ring on a cake stand, drizzle with glaze at the table, and watch guests swoon over every slice. You can even slice and toast leftovers briefly for a croissant-style treat—Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch never disappoints.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, keep your Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch soft and moist by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or sliding it into an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days—the cream cheese helps keep the crumb tender even after reheating.

Freezing

Monkey bread freezes surprisingly well! Cool completely, wrap it in foil and plastic, and stash in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently before serving. The flavors stay vivid, and the texture remains just as pull-apart perfect.

Reheating

To bring this bread back to life, simply pop pieces (or the whole loaf) in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes until warmed through. For quick fixes, microwave individual pieces in 10-second bursts. A quick warm-up brings back the gooey cream cheese and the soft, sticky biscuit layers—just like fresh!

FAQs

Can I use frozen rhubarb instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Thaw frozen rhubarb and drain any excess liquid before cooking it down with sugar and cornstarch. The flavor remains bright and lively, ensuring your Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch is a hit any time of year.

What’s the best way to tell if the monkey bread is done?

Look for a deeply golden crust and check the center by inserting a skewer—if it comes out without sticky, raw dough, you’re good to go. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.

Can I add nuts or swap out the cream cheese?

Definitely! Try chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch, or swap the cream cheese for mascarpone or even a tangy goat cheese for a twist. Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch is deliciously flexible—make it your own!

How far ahead can I make the rhubarb mixture?

You can prepare the rhubarb mixture up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just let it cool completely before assembling your bread, keeping your brunch prep stress-free and speedy!

Can I use another fruit instead of rhubarb?

Sure! Try strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries if you must, but nothing beats the unique tartness of rhubarb in this recipe. For the true Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch experience, try it at least once as written.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like gathering around the table and sharing homemade Rhubarb Cream Cheese Monkey Bread for Sweet Brunch with the people you love. Every warm, gooey bite is comfort and celebration rolled into one. Give this showstopper a try—your brunches will never be the same!