I think we can all agree that, in life, smells are everything. And in my experience, smells are either really good or really, really bad.
For example, the smell of stew while I’m making it – good.
The smell of stew that lingers on my jacket (and wafts around the room during my 8am meeting) – bad.
The smell of Bjork, freshly showered and wearing clean clothes – good.
The smell of ripe, sweaty socks and shoes on my fourth graders – very bad.
(…Apologies for that. Please disassociate that smell from this blog.)
Good news, people. The smell of Banana Monkey Bread is going to revive you. Just when you thought you wouldn’t last another day in this cold, snowy winter, or you couldn’t handle the thought of waking up so early, or you couldn’t get rid of the stew smell in your house….
This smell comes to the rescue! And bonus: it’s really a package deal, because you get the amazing smell of cinnamon and freshly baked bread in addition to the delicious taste and texture.
Now, when I say “freshly baked bread”, I am referring to smells only. Because as much as I want you to think that I have time and energy to make bread from scratch on a weekday (or weekend, for that matter), I will admit that Pillsbury Grands Biscuits and Croissants frequently find their way into my grocery cart. So now you know.
And now you know why these are so easy. Because really, all you have is three ingredients. THREE, people.
It could have more if you wanted to make it more complicated and sophisticated. I won’t judge. I might even join you someday.
But not today. I have too much to do.
- Eat Banana Monkey Bread.
- Take a nap.
Banana Monkey Bread; makes 4 ramekins
- Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (4)
- bananas (2-3)
- (Ghirardelli) white chocolate chips
- cinnamon and sugar
- Cut biscuits into 1-inch cubes. Slice bananas. Combine and coat with cinnamon and sugar.
- Arrange in greased ramekins and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
- Melt white chocolate; spoon over tops.
I wish my house could smell like cinnamon and freshly baked bread forever. I guess I’ll just have to make this for the rest of my life…
What are your favorite smells – food or otherwise? And how do you capture them in your home? I like Wallflowers, but Coconut-Lime Verbena just doesn’t do it for me in the winter!
I'm a teacher, pug lover, and dessert enthusiast. When not in the classroom, I'm in the kitchen. And when not in the kitchen, I'm in a food coma. Juuust kidding. Pinch of Yum is a place where I share pictures and recipes of my favorite foods. Enjoy! -Lindsay
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I really want to make this but i dont have the ramekins, and i dont really want to go out and buy a bunch of ramekins because i never needed them until now so i feel like they would go to waste. Do you have any suggestions of something else i could use than i would most likey already have around the house?
I’ve made something similar in a bundt pan and then baked it a little longer and ate it like a pull-apart bread. That worked nicely… or if you have a smaller baking dish like a loaf pan, that would work, too!
Hello! Instead of ramekins, you could use cupcake tins, or even the small bread loaf pans.
Great idea! Thanks!
Yum! This looks amazing – so easy and delicious!!
I will be making this today. Absolutely, need those smells and can’t wait to sink into a coma afterwards.
What type of Pillsbury Grands Biscuits did you use? There are several types, does it matter?
Hello! Sounds and looks amazing! But what are Pillsbury Frands biscuits../what are an alternative (I’m from New Zealand). Thanks!!
I think you could easily substitute a couple of torn up Croissants for the biscuit dough? But I admit I haven’t tried it yet, but I will be! As the pillsbury biscuit dough would be raw and the croissant dough cooked, I’d expect to cook this for a shorter time. Or you could soak the croissant dough in beaten egg/milk first?
Just a suggestion!
Hi, Love your site and recipes. There’s an old real estate sales tip, simmer a pot of water with a teaspoon of sugar. Have you tried No Knead Bread? James Lahey, the baker from NYC came up with this and it is a rage. I love it. The rye is just as awesome.
http://steamykitchen.com/168-no-knead-bread-revisited.html
I bought a used breadmaker this year, and it was the best $40 I’ve ever spent! My husband and I have fresh bread every two days, and I can even set the timer so I can put the ingredients in at night and wake up to fresh bread. I’ve used it to make doughs for cinnamon buns and rolls, too. Highly recommend donating some counter space to a breadmaker!
no butter? i’ve made something similar but you dipped the biscuit pieces in butter then rolled in cinnamon sugar mixture. love to save the calories, so if its great without it then i’m happy. also, have you tried putting the chocolate chips mixed in with the dough and bananas? just curious.
thanks for the recipe!
I cannot WAIT to try these!! Will be doing it probably Sunday (=. Thanks for such a simple and yummy idea (I don’t usually use recipes with prepackaged ingredients, but this I have to try!). I’ll post back to see if it was a hit with the husband and two teenagers!