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What are the directions for Pillsbury pull apart dough?

Pull apart dough from Pillsbury is a fun and delicious way to make monkey bread, cinnamon rolls, and other tasty treats. The convenience of using pre-made dough makes it easy to whip up something sweet with minimal effort. Here are some tips for working with Pillsbury pull apart dough and directions for making some classic recipes.

What is Pull Apart Dough?

Pillsbury pull apart dough comes in a cylinder shaped container in the refrigerated section. It is a soft, easy-to-handle dough that is already portioned out into biscuit-sized pieces. The dough is perforated between each piece so that it pulls apart easily. This allows you to break off each individual piece of dough to make whatever shape you desire. Some of the most popular flavors include:

  • Original
  • Cinnamon
  • Cheddar
  • Chocolate
  • Strawberry

This dough makes an excellent base for sweet and savory baked goods. The individual pieces of dough bake up into fluffy, tender buns. You can top them with cinnamon sugar, cheese, fruit, nuts, or anything else you can imagine. Pull apart dough is most commonly used to make monkey bread, pull apart bread, and cinnamon rolls.

Selecting and Handling the Dough

When purchasing pull apart dough at the grocery store, be sure to check the expiration date and pick the container with the latest date. The dough will stay fresh in the fridge for 7-10 days. It can also be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

To handle the dough, open the plastic cylinder container and turn it upside down onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pull the pieces of dough apart along the perforations. Be careful not to tear the dough. If the dough is very cold, let it stand for 5 minutes to become more pliable and easier to handle.

Shaping the Individual Pieces

Once separated, shape each piece of dough as desired for your specific recipe. Here are some common ways to shape pull apart dough:

  • Balls – Roll into small balls about 1-2 inches wide. This works well for monkey bread.
  • Rolls – Shape into oblong rolls. Place seam side down on the baking sheet.
  • Flatten – Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece into a round disc shape. This allows more surface area for cinnamon sugar or other toppings.
  • Braid – Roll into a rope and braid 3-4 ropes together. Braided bread looks impressive.

If your recipe calls for a filling like cinnamon sugar, brushed melted butter, or cheese, make sure to get it applied evenly on the surface of each dough piece as you shape them.

Arranging on the Baking Sheet

Grease a round cake pan, muffin tin, or baking sheet before adding the shaped dough pieces.

For monkey bread, arrange the dough balls tightly together so they stick and pull apart after baking.

For cinnamon rolls or other items, leave a little space between each dough piece to allow for rising room.

You can also neatly arrange the dough rolls or braids into rows on a large baking sheet.

Rising Time

Once shaped and arranged on the pan, cover lightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-60 minutes before baking. Dough should double in size when adequately risen.

For quicker rising, or if your kitchen is cool, place the covered pan in the oven with just the oven light turned on. This will create a warm environment for the dough.

Baking Directions

Follow recipe baking instructions based on quantity of dough. Generally, pull apart dough takes 15-25 minutes to bake at 375°F. Monkey bread may take slightly longer since it is packed tightly together.

Look for the tops of the dough pieces to turn golden brown. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a piece. It should come out clean when fully baked.

Let cool 5 minutes before inverting onto a platter to serve warm monkey bread. For cinnamon rolls and other items, let cool slightly before drizzling with icing if desired.

Storage

Pull apart dough items taste best fresh on the day they are made. Leftovers can be stored covered at room temperature for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.

Unbaked dough will last 1 week in the refrigerator. For longer storage, place shaped raw dough pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid then transfer to a zip top freezer bag. Bake frozen dough for a few minutes longer than normal.

Tips

  • Lightly flour your hands and work surface to prevent sticking as you handle the dough.
  • Fillings like cinnamon-sugar tend to sink and pool at the bottom as the dough bakes. Topping with nuts or a streusel mix can help counteract this.
  • An instant read thermometer should register 190-200°F when inserted in center of baked goods.
  • Brush with melted butter or egg wash before baking for a shiny, golden crust.
  • Vary the shapes and sizes for interest. Mix braids with balls or rolls in the same pan.

Classic Pillsbury Pull Apart Recipes

Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

  • 2 (10 oz) cans Pillsbury biscuits or 1 (16.3 oz) can Pillsbury Grands biscuits
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a Bundt or tube pan with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Separate biscuits and cut each into quarters. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl or gallon size bag.
  3. Add biscuit pieces a few at a time and toss to coat in cinnamon sugar. Arrange pieces in pan, stacking and overlapping.
  4. Drizzle melted butter evenly over top.
  5. Bake 35-40 minutes until deep golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes.
  6. Invert onto serving plate to release bread. Pull apart pieces to serve warm.

Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16.3 oz) can Pillsbury Grands biscuits
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  2. Flatten each biscuit into a rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
  3. Layer biscuits in pan, staggering seams. Sprinkle walnuts on top if desired.
  4. Bake 23-27 minutes until golden. Let cool 10 minutes.
  5. Run a knife around edges and invert onto serving dish. Pull apart pieces to serve.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Braid

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16.3 oz) can Pillsbury Grands biscuits
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped strawberries
  • Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar + 1-2 tbsp milk

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Mix together cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Set aside.
  3. Roll each biscuit into a 16 inch rope. Cut each into 4 equal pieces.
  4. Layer 3-4 ropes together and pinch ends to seal. Shape into circle on prepared pan.
  5. Spoon cream cheese mixture into center. Top with strawberries.
  6. Bake 22-25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes.
  7. Mix powdered sugar and milk to make glaze. Drizzle over braid before serving.
Shape Recipe Uses
Balls Monkey bread
Rolls Cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls
Flatten Cinnamon discs, scones, shortbread
Braid Bread, sweet bread

Conclusion

Pillsbury pull apart dough offers a quick and easy way to make sweet breads, monkey bread, cinnamon rolls, and more. Separate the perforated biscuit dough pieces and shape as desired before topping and baking. Arrange shaped dough closely for pull apart items or spaced apart for individual rolls and buns. Let rise 30-60 minutes before baking 15-25 minutes at 375°F until golden brown. Made right, pull apart dough makes a delicious homemade treat with minimal effort.