I cannot wait to share today’s Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread recipe with you! This is one of those breakfast or dessert recipes that absolutely gorgeous, yet it’s the easiest food in the world to make! I’m telling you, fluffy white bread stuffed with cream cheese and cherry pie filling is ALWAYS a good idea!
This past week I ended up having a kind of rushed surgery to blast and remove two kidney stones. Those dang things are the death of me! I’m pretty sure these two have been hanging out in my body for about fifteen years, yet I had and idea they were hanging out in there but really wasn’t sure. Turns out they were causing chronic kidney infections and I knew I had to do something about it.
After I found out I was going to have surgery my mom offered to come help me. I was pretty sure we could just handle all the “things” since my kids are older now. I told her the kids could take care of themselves. She insisted, “Who’s going to take care of you?”
Why do I have to be so independent? Why didn’t I just jump on the offer immediately? My mom and I get along really well and I knew it would be fun to have her come visit, and pamper me a bit. But…I really don’t let anyone pamper me.
Anyway, she came over and I’m so glad she did because sitting around looking at monkey bread and football food on Pinterest is much more fun when you do it together! Thanks Mom!
If you love homemade bread and cherry cheesecake as much as I do, THIS is your recipe!
I knew I wanted her to iron, make me a hamburger pie (I’ll have to get that recipe to you), and help me make Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread while she was here! I wanted to share the recipe with you in time for Valentine’s Day!
When I imagined Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread in my mind it was going to be amazing! My mom and I brainstormed ideas for making them, then we tried it and you guys…we nailed! These are the BEST! I mean really, you can’t go wrong with bread stuffed with cherry pie filling and cream cheese! It’s life!
Monkey Bread in a cast iron skillet
I got a cast iron skillet {affiliate link} for Christmas and I’m a little embarrassed to admit I hadn’t even used it until I made this monkey bread. I’m not sure I’ll ever make it another way! The skillet perfectly browned the outside and baked the insides to perfection.
Be sure to grease the skillet really before adding the monkey bread. I rubbed butter all over the inside.
Of course you can also bake the monkey bread in a 9 x 9 baking dish if you don’t have a cast iron skillet.
How to make Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread
I always use Rhodes frozen rolls to make my monkey bread recipes. First of all, they are so easy to use and I always have a package on hand in my freezer. Secondly, they taste amazing! They are just like homemade bread without all the hassle!
- Thaw the frozen rolls just until they are workable but still cold.
- Roll each roll out on a floured surface, a pastry sheet, or an oiled surface. Roll them out into circles about 4 inches in diameter. They’re going to shrink a little as soon as you quit rolling them, not to worry.
- Set a little piece of cream cheese on each roll, about 1/2 a Tablespoon. Spread the cream cheese to flatten just a little bit, leaving at least an inch border.
- Spoon some cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese. About four cherries will be perfect!
Can Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread be made the night before serving?
Good question! I’ve never actually tried making it the night before then baking it in the morning. However, if I was going to try it I’d roll assemble the monkey bread and place it in the greased baking dish. Then cover with greased plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. Remove it from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes. Make the butter sauce and pour it over the bread. Then bake.
When I made this bread I made it and baked it all at the same time. Let me know if you try refrigerating it overnight and baking it in the morning. It would make mornings pretty amazing!
My favorite monkey bread recipes!
My family is crazy in love with monkey bread! Here are a few of our favorites!
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Monkey Bread
- Ham, Egg, and Cheese Monkey Bread
- Easy Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread
- Peppermint Bark Monkey Bread
- Lemon Cloverleaf Rolls
- Cookies and Cream Pull Apart
Grab my Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread recipe!
My readers are always asking me for more quick and easy recipes. Don’t let the fancy look of this monkey bread fool you, it’s as easy as thawing a few Rhodes rolls, opening a can of cherry pie filling (I like this one because it has lots of cherries) {affiliate link}, and throwing them together! Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread is a gorgeous recipe for Valentine’s Day breakfast, or for dessert! Regardless of whether you decide start your day with this deliciousness, or end your day with it, I have a feeling you’ll be glad you did!
Oh, and one more thing, if your mom offers to come help you…let her! Don’t feel guilty for putting her out. Just let her come and enjoy every minute of it!
Cherry Cheesecake Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- 8 Rhodes Rolls
- 1 21 oz. can cherry pie filling you'll have leftovers
- 4 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- 1/4 c. butter
- 1/4 c. granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp. water
- powdered sugar optional
Instructions
- Thaw Rhodes rolls only until they are soft enough to work with. They will still be cold. The amount of time will vary depending on the temperature of your room. See package instructions for additional thawing details.
- Roll rolls out on a floured or oiled surface, or pastry mat. You'll want each roll to be about 4-5 inches in diameter. They'll shrink back up a bit after you roll them out. Not to worry.
- Cut room temperature cream cheese into 8 squares. Set one square on each roll. Flatten it a little with a knife or spoon. Be sure you leave about an inch border.
- Add a spoonful of cherry pie filling over the cream cheese. I added about 5 cherries and it fit perfectly. You'll have leftover cherry pie filling to use in a different recipe.
- You're going to pull the edges of the rolls up to the top and create a little ball. Pinch the seems together at the top. Don't stress if a little pie filling escapes. If you're having a hard time getting the seems to stick together move on to the next roll, give the dough a minute to relax, and when you come back to it, it will be easier to work with.
- Place rolls in greased 8 or 9 inch cast iron skillet. You can also use a pie pan, or other baking dish.
- Let rise until doubled. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen it will take about 1 1/2- 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter and sugar in a small saucepan over medium, stirring often. Bring butter mixture to a gentle boil. Boil for one minute. Add 2 tablespoons of water and stir. Pour butter mixture evenly over rolls.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Watch carefully and if the bread starts to get too brown cover with aluminum foil. The tops should be golden brown.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve while still warm.
Notes
Looks fantastic and easy! Definitely making this for dessert tonight
Like I said, in my mind I knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea how delicious until tried it! It’s life changing!
I’m so in love with this madness – we LOOOOOOOVE monkey bread around here!!!
Absolutely love this idea! Such a tasty and comforting dessert!
I would wake up early to eat this for breakfast. Sounds like a great addition to our weekend brunch menu.
Exactly! They are so easy for early weekdays, and feel extra special on lazy weekends! Either way, they’re always a hit!
This looks out of this world delicious! What a great addition to brunch!
Brunch is the best meal of the day! These would be gorgoues on a brunch buffet!
This looks amazing! I love the cherry in there!
Me too! They are just right for Valentine’s Day!