Overnight Monkey Bread by Babs

Your little monkeys, as well as your big ones, will love this addictive

overnight breakfast delight. Enjoy this like a monkey would by pulling

off pieces of the warm, caramel-coated bread with vour hands-

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utensils allowed. It's truly, without a doubt, finger lickin' good. I've

been serving this to all my monkeys for many years, and it's hands down

a family favorite.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

18 frozen unbaked veast

dinner rolls, such as

Rhodes (1½ 1b/680g)

½ cup chopped raw pecans

½ cup unsalted butter

½ cup firmly packed light

brown sugar

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

1 (3 oz/85g) box regular

butterscotch pudding

mix (not instant)

1. The day before serving, thaw the rolls. Spray a

bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread a

small handful of nuts around the pan.

2. In a small bowl, melt the butter. In another small

bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and

pudding mix. Roll the balls in the melted butter,

and then roll them in the dry mix. Evenly arrange

and layer the rolls in the pan, distributing the

pecans throughout. Pour any leftover dry

ingredients and butter over top.

3. Cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel, and allow

to sit on the counter overnight to rise.

4. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F

(180°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake for

30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the pan while

still hot. Flip onto a platter and let those monkeys

dig in. This will last 2 to 3 days tightly covered

and refrigerated, but ours is always devoured long

before that.

prep time

10 minutes, plus

overnight to rise

cook time

35 minutes

serves

8-10

BaBS SAYS.

This can get messy while

baking in the oven. It's a

good idea to place a

foil-lined cookie sheet on

the lowest rack of the

oven while the bread

bakes on the middle rack.

This is meant to be

served by pulling a piece

from the bread-definitely

not cutting. Just ask your

Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole

 OVERNIGHT

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

After clipping a recipe for an overnight egg casserole from a local

newspaper more than 40 years ago, this has become our family's

signature Christmas morning breakfast. It has now been enjoyed by

three generations of Costellos. The creamy eggs, blanketed in crumbled

sausage, with mounds of melted cheese, all nestled in sweet bread send

an irresistible aroma wafting through the house, calling everyone

downstairs to Christmas morning.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lb (450g) breakfast

sausage or sweet Italian

sausage, removed from

any casing

¾ loaf brioche or challah

bread or 9 slices any

heart white bread, cut

into ½in (1.25cm) cubes

½ lb (225g) grated

cheddar cheese (2 cups)

8 large eggs

2½ cups whole milk

1 tsp dry mustard

I tsp kosher salt

• The day before serving, grease a 9 x13-inch

(23 x33cm) casserole dish. In a large skillet over

medium heat, brown the sausage, breaking up the

meat with a wooden spoon into fine pieces. Drain.

2. To a large bowl, add the meat, bread cubes, and

cheese. In a separate medium bowl, beat the eggs.

Whisk in the milk, dry mustard, and salt.

3. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes,

and stir until combined. Transfer the mixture

to the prepared casserole dish. Cover with foil

and refrigerate overnight.

4. When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 350°F

(180°C). Remove the casserole from the

refrigerator and uncover. Bake the casserole for

45 to 55 minutes, or until set and bubbly. Allow

the casserole to rest for a few minutes before

serving. Leftovers are great reheated. Store the

fully cooked leftovers in an airtight container for

3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to

3 months. Just thaw overnight and reheat.

CHRISTMAS DAY BREAKFAST

229

prep time

10 minutes, plus

overnight to refrigerate

cook time

1 hour

serves

8

BABS SAYS..

The beauty of this dish is

that it's a definite

make-ahead casserole,

great for a special

breakfast or for

overnight guests.

You can make this dish

your own-get creative!

Use breakfast meats of

your choice. Cooked

bacon and ham are great

options. Even mix up

the type of cheese.