Christmas Miscellany-Wrapping Paper and Monkey Bread
Wrapping Paper
When I posted about green and frugal gift wrapping options, I mentioned that I do use some paper for wrapping, and that I usually buy it after Christmas. Well, I did even better than that last week. During our weekly browse through Goodwill, the kids and I happened across a roll of wrapping paper from Target.
It was a little bit damaged.
Which was no problem by me, because the roll was selling for a whole 50 cents. Yay!!!!
Yes, indeedy...that's my kind of price. Only the shrink wrap and a tiny bit of the paper was damaged. And wonder of wonders, the colors happened to be the sort that match my blue and silver tree quite nicely.
I'm 95% done wrapping my gifts, and the roll still has plenty of paper left on it. Happy sigh.
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Monkey Bread
When I posted the recipe for pull-apart garlic bread, a reader asked if I had a similar recipe for a sweet pull-apart bread, and I do. It's called Monkey Bread and it was actually the first Wednesday Baking post I ever did, almost a year ago now. And since it's an old post, it has the directions sprinkled in between the instructions. I now know that's really annoying, so today I'm posting the recipe in a text-only version.
This is a great Christmas morning treat because it can be assembled ahead of time, leaving only the baking for Christmas morning. (Overnight Cinnamon Twists are another good option because they rise overnight just like the Monkey Bread.)
Monkey Bread
Cinnamon Nut Sugar (recipe is below)
1 package active dry yeast(2 ½ teaspoons)
¼ cup warm water (about 110 degrees Farenheit)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup melted butter
¾ cup warm milk
1 large egg
about 3 ½ cups all purpose flour
½ cup butter, melted
First, mix up the cinnamon sugar.
Cinnamon Nut Sugar
In a small bowl combine ¾ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, and ½ cup finely chopped pecans. Stir until blended.
Next, sprinkle yeast over warm water; stir briefly and let stand about 5 minutes. Add salt, sugar, melted butter, milk, and egg. Stir until blended. Add 3 ¼ cups of the flour, one cup at a time, stirring after each addition.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead 5-7 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic.
Cut dough into three equal pieces; then cut each portion into 16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball.
Roll each ball in butter and then in sugar mixture. Stagger balls in layers in a greased 9-10 inch tube ring mold(about 2 ½ quart size).
Sprinkle with any remaining sugar, and drizzle with any remaining butter.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until puffy(about 45 minutes) or in a refrigerator for 16-18 hours (I've let mine be in the fridge for only about 10 hours, and it's been fine)
If you've refrigerated the dough, let it sit on the counter at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. Bake the bread in a preheated 350 degree oven until well-browned, about 30 minutes.
Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then invert it onto a plate. It will be quite hot at first, so let it cool down a bit before you dig in. Enjoy!
I make Monkey Bread every Christmas morning, but usually do it with the Pillsbury biscuits! So excited to try it this way! Thanks.
Looks so good! And what a perfect breakfast idea for Christmas morning. Our family's tradition is that Momma doesn't make breakfast Christmas morning however. We break out the donuts purchased on Christmas Eve, some fruit, juice, milk and coffee - breakfast is ready! It's a tradition for us and, sad but true, the only time of year we purchase a box of donuts for the kiddos. Needless to say, they are on countdown mode for more than the presents. 😉
I totally love the garlic bread recipe. I am SO doing that for Christmas dinner. Thank you!
I have a soft spot in my heart for Monkey Bread. I loved to bake when I was little, but my mom did not! So, she signed me up for a baking class at the local community college and the first thing we learned to bake was monkey bread. I'll have to give your recipe a try. I make Strata every year for Christmas because, like this, all the prep is done the day before. It makes Christmas morning much more relaxing.
I cant wait to try this recipe! All of my husband's siblings and parents will be at our home for Christmas this year since his father is ill. This will be such a nice addition. Thanks Kristen.
What pretty wrapping paper, for such a great deal! 🙂
OH MY! YUM ! I have set aside your garlic pull apart recipe and it is a toss up whether I will try that or another herb roll recipe for our Christmas meal. This sweet version I will have to add this to the list of things to try. LOVELY ! Have a wonderful Christmas. Emily in So. Texas
When I was in England recently, The Guardian newspaper was including a page of wrapping paper designed by celebrities. I am now the proud owner of Rufus Wainwright's design, which will wrap...something. Apparently this isn't the first year they've done this. http://taratomes.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/always-judge-a-present-by-its-wrapping-paper/
Of course, some would say the entire newspaper could be wrapping paper.
That's so awesome, I JUST made Monkey Bread too, for my company Christmas party. When I signed up and wrote what I was going to bring...my boss asked me what it was. He thought it could be offensive to some of the other staff. Apparently he was worried that the use of the term "monkey" would offend some of my African American coworkers. I'm the minority, but I think we have a great relationship within our staff--I know they are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this. I made it extra gooey by putting sweetened condensed milk over the top!
Who knew monkey bread would have to go politically correct!?
Danielle, everything I've ever read has said that Monkey Bread's name is of unknown origin, so I don't think anything offensive is meant by the name. But you can just call it pull-apart bread or bubble loaf or something else that is super benign. 😉
We have the same wrapping paper that my husband bought after the holidays last year for about 50 cents!
We used to make this with the kids at preschool and they LOVE it!
I've just recently discovered your website and am learning so much. We live in Tokyo where pre-packaged foods are outrageously expensive so I'm trying to learn to prepare our meals from scratch. Just made your Monkey Bread recipe for Christmas morning and it was a great hit -- will be a new tradition in our family! Merry Christmas!
i get wrapping paper after Christmas also. this year i happened to be working at Bed Bath and Beyond and so along with the 75% discount i got my 20% discount on top of it. needless to say two large rolls and a small one all for 1.25 isnt bad.
and monkey bread is the best i make it every year! i advise if you buy the pan a lot of times for the same price you can get the mix in it that way you get one time free (almost just a few things are needed to be added)
You can purchase a roll of personalized gift wrap from http://Everfunds.com/ "personalize" which non-profit that you want them to donate to