
We coated soft, bite-size rounds of dough in a mixture of honey, nuts, and fragrant spices to create a decadent twist on the classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern pastry.
Baklava Monkey Bread
Makes 1 (9-inch) loaf
Ingredients
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup (70 grams) pistachios, finely chopped
- ½ cup (55 grams) walnuts, finely chopped
- ½ cup (110 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (85 grams) honey
- â…“ cup (80 grams) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) orange blossom water
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Buttery Pull-Apart Dough (recipe follows)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
- In another medium bowl, stir together pistachios and walnuts.
- In a medium saucepan, bring brown sugar, honey, cream, butter, lemon zest, orange blossom water, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and let cool for 10 minutes. Use warm.
- Punch down Buttery Pull-Apart Dough; let stand for 5 minutes.
- Spray a tall-sided 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray with flour. (See Note.)
- On a clean surface, divide dough into 40 portions (about 20 grams each); gently shape each portion into a ball, pinching closed any seams if needed. (Keep dough portions covered with plastic wrap while working.)
- Spoon one-third of warm syrup (about ⅓ cup or 95 grams) into bottom of prepared pan. Sprinkle ½ cup (65 grams) nut mixture onto syrup.
- Working in batches, toss dough portions in sugar mixture. Place half of dough (about 20 portions) in pan. Top with one-third of syrup and remaining nut mixture. (There will be sugar mixture left over.) Layer remaining dough portions on top and between open spaces; drizzle with remaining syrup. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until puffed, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake until dough is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers at least 190°F (88°C), about 45 minutes, covering with foil after 30 minutes of baking to prevent excess browning. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate. Best served warm. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Notes
Note: At least a 3-inch-tall pan is needed to protect the edges from overbaking and to keep syrup from spilling over. A 2-inch-tall pan can be used, but you’ll need to place the pan on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to catch any overflow and cover bread with foil halfway through baking to prevent excess browning.
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Buttery Pull-Apart Dough
Makes 1 (9-inch or 9x5-inch) loafSimilar to a crescent roll dough, this enriched dough bakes into a buttery loaf with a hint of sweetness and a lightly flaky crust.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (180 grams) warm whole milk (100°F/38°C to 110°F/43°C)
- 1½ tablespoons (18 grams) granulated sugar, divided
- 1 tablespoon (9 grams) active dry yeast
- 3¼ cups (413 grams) bread flour
- 2¼ teaspoons (6.75 grams) kosher salt
- â…“ cup (75 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg (50 grams), room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk (19 grams), room temperature
- 1½ tablespoons (31.5 grams) honey
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together warm milk, ½ tablespoon (6 grams) sugar, and yeast. Let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together flour, salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon (12 grams) sugar by hand until combined. Add yeast mixture, melted butter, egg, egg yolk, and honey; using the paddle attachment, beat at low speed until a shaggy dough forms, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at medium-low speed until a smooth, elastic dough forms, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 35 to 45 minutes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


