Gorilla Bread is a rich and gooey pull-apart treat made with cinnamon-sugar coated biscuits stuffed with cream cheese, layered with chopped pecans, and drenched in a buttery brown sugar glaze. Baked to golden perfection in a bundt pan, this indulgent bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Think of it as a more decadent cousin of monkey bread—complete with a molten cream cheese surprise in every bite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• ½ cup salted butter

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

• 2 cans refrigerated “big biscuits” (8-count each)

• 8 oz cream cheese

• 1½ cups chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a bundt pan with nonstick spray.

2. Melt Butter & Sugar: Microwave butter and brown sugar together for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Stir in vanilla and set aside.

3. Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon.

4. Prepare Biscuits: Split each biscuit in half to make 32 pieces. Coat both sides in cinnamon sugar.

5. Stuff Biscuits: Cut cream cheese into 32 cubes. Place one cube in the center of each biscuit piece, then pinch closed to seal and form a ball.

6. Layer in Pan:

   • Sprinkle ½ cup pecans into the bottom of the pan.

   • Add half the biscuit balls. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, ½ cup more pecans, and half the butter mixture.

   • Repeat layers with remaining biscuits, sugar, pecans, and butter. Press the top layer slightly to flatten.

7. Bake: Bake for 45–50 minutes until deep golden and biscuits are fully cooked.

8. Cool & Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes. Loosen edges with a spatula and invert onto a plate. Serve warm.

Nutrients (Per serving, based on 12 servings)

• Calories: 628 kcal

• Protein: 7g

• Fat: 37g

• Saturated Fat: 11g

• Carbohydrates: 71g

• Sugar: 34g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sodium: 859mg

• Cholesterol: 42mg

• Calcium: 90mg

• Iron: 3mg

Why It’s Called Gorilla Bread

Gorilla Bread earned its wild name because it’s a bigger, bolder, richer version of monkey bread. While monkey bread features cinnamon-sugar coated dough balls baked together in a bundt pan and pulled apart by hand, Gorilla Bread takes things up a notch. Each biscuit is stuffed with cream cheese and smothered in a gooey brown sugar butter sauce, giving the dish a more decadent, dessert-like character.

Think of it as monkey bread’s indulgent cousin—still sticky and shareable, but with a creamy surprise in every bite that makes it utterly irresistible.

The Magic of Cream Cheese Filling

The hidden gem inside every dough ball is a cube of cream cheese. As the bread bakes, the cream cheese softens into a molten, slightly tangy core that balances the sugary richness around it. It’s a delightful contrast that surprises first-time eaters and keeps fans coming back.

The combination of warm, fluffy dough with cool, creamy filling gives Gorilla Bread a luxurious texture that sets it apart from other breakfast or dessert breads. It’s a touch of cheesecake inside a cinnamon bun—what’s not to love?

Layered for Flavor and Texture

This recipe isn’t just about the filling—it’s also about the layers. As you build the bread in a bundt pan, each level gets a generous helping of cinnamon sugar, buttery glaze, and chopped pecans. The result is a beautifully caramelized crust on the outside, tender layers inside, and a little crunch to keep things interesting.

The pecans toast as the bread bakes, adding a rich, nutty depth that perfectly complements the sweet and creamy notes. Pressing down the top layer helps ensure an even bake, with all the biscuit balls snugly nestled together for maximum pull-apart goodness.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Gorilla Bread is ideal for just about any time you want to wow your guests or treat your family to something special. Serve it warm for breakfast or brunch on the weekend, or bring it out as a dessert centerpiece during the holidays. It’s especially popular on Christmas morning, at Easter brunch, or as a potluck crowd-pleaser.

Because it’s made with refrigerated biscuit dough, the prep time is minimal—but the results taste like you spent all morning in the kitchen. It’s easy enough for beginner bakers, but impressive enough for seasoned pros to add to their favorites.

Tips for Best Results

To make your Gorilla Bread truly unforgettable, keep these tips in mind:

• Use full-fat cream cheese for the best melt and flavor.

• Soften the cream cheese slightly for easier cutting, but make sure it’s cold enough to hold its shape.

• Seal the dough tightly around the cream cheese to prevent leaks.

• Grease your bundt pan thoroughly—this bread is sticky!

• Let it rest before inverting to ensure it holds together.

• Serve warm for maximum gooeyness and creaminess.

If you want to prep ahead, you can assemble the bread the night before and bake it fresh in the morning. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight, then bring it to room temperature while the oven preheats.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic Gorilla Bread, try switching things up:

• Add mini chocolate chips to the biscuit filling for a chocolate-cream cheese surprise.

• Swap pecans for walnuts or leave out the nuts entirely for a smoother texture.

• Use flavored cream cheese like strawberry or cinnamon for a twist.

• Add a drizzle of maple syrup or caramel sauce over the top after baking.

• Incorporate chopped apples or raisins into the layers for a fruity touch.

These small tweaks let you customize Gorilla Bread for different seasons, holidays, or personal preferences.

Make It a Meal or a Dessert

While Gorilla Bread is most often served as a breakfast or brunch treat, it also makes a fabulous dessert—especially when paired with coffee or hot cocoa. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, and you’ve turned a breakfast dish into a show-stopping sweet.

If you’re serving it as part of a brunch buffet, pair it with savory dishes like eggs, bacon, or a cheesy breakfast casserole to balance out the sweetness.

Easy, Impressive, and Utterly Addictive

There’s something incredibly satisfying about tearing into a slice of Gorilla Bread and discovering that melty center of cream cheese. The buttery glaze drips down the sides, the pecans add crunch, and every bite feels like a celebration. Despite how impressive it looks and tastes, it couldn’t be easier to make—especially with store-bought biscuit dough doing most of the heavy lifting.

It’s the kind of dish you make once and then find yourself being asked to bring to every gathering after that. It’s a guaranteed hit, and once it’s gone, people will immediately be asking for the recipe.

Conclusion

Gorilla Bread is more than just a treat—it’s an experience. With its gooey texture, rich cinnamon-sugar flavor, and decadent cream cheese filling, it’s the ultimate pull-apart bread for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It takes the comfort of monkey bread and adds a luxurious twist that feels special but is incredibly simple to make.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just indulging at home, Gorilla Bread brings joy to any table. It’s sweet, satisfying, and impossible to resist—especially when served warm with the glaze still bubbling. One taste, and you’ll understand why this recipe is a must-have for your collection.