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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
  • 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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