How to make Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread Bites

These Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread Bites are perfect for winter or holiday parties! They are soft, buttery, and look fancy but are easy to make, packed with bright citrus flavour and sweet, tart cranberries. 

Baked individually in muffin tins and finished with a simple orange glaze, they make a delicious festive holiday breakfast, brunch treat, or Christmas dessert. 

Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread Bites serves: 12

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 18 minutes

Total time: 33 minutes

You will need

• 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1 cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)

• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (for the glaze)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin. Cut each biscuit into 4 small pieces and place them in a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest. 

Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the biscuit pieces and toss until evenly coated.

3. Add the chopped cranberries and gently toss again. 

Divide the biscuit and cranberry mixture evenly between the muffin cups, filling each one nearly to the top.

4. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and brown sugar. 

Spoon the butter mixture evenly over each muffin cup, about 2 tablespoons per cup.

5. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the biscuit pieces are cooked through. Let the monkey bread bites cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them.

6. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. 

Drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread bites before serving.

Tips and tricks!

• Keep in the fridge for 2–3 days in an airtight container.

• Fresh or frozen cranberries can be used. There is no need to thaw frozen cranberries first.

• If the glaze is too thick, add a little more orange juice. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.

• Do not overfill the muffin cups because the biscuit dough will rise while baking.