Monkey Fruit Bread

No one really knows why this delicious treat is called Monkey Bread, but we do know it amazing...but some say the unusual name for this pull-apart bread comes from the technique used to eat it, pulling off chunks and eating them with your fingers like a monkey!!!!! sounds cool...uhmm!

I made this bread one afternoon when my husband asked me to bake something special for afternoon tea. While checking all the ingredient on hands I notice this beautiful monkey bread on my recipe books and give it try myself. Its very delicious, the sweetness is just right and I will do it again and again...

Monkey Fruit Bread 

2½ active dry yeast
1¾ cups warm water
5 tbsp. granulated sugar
5 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup mixed dried fruits
5 tbsp. butter, melted

For rolling

2 cups dark brown sugar
3 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cloves
¾ cup butter, melted

Direction

* In samll bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water, add 2 tbsps of granulated 
  sugar. Let stand for 10 mins or until foamy.

* Combine 2 cups of flour, salt, and the remaining sugar.Add yeast mixture 
  into flour mixture, beat on low to medium speed then add vanilla. Beat on 
  high speed for 3 minutes. 

* Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in the dried mixed
  fruit and enough remaining flour ro make a soft smooth elastic dough.
  Shape dough into a ball. Place in a greased bowl. Dizzle the 5 tbsps melted
  butter over dough, Cover and let rise until double the in size.

* In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, 
  melted butter.

* Grease the baking pan. Punch the dough down. Pinch off small pieces of
  dough, shape into ball. Dip the dough ball in the cinnamon mixture then
  arrange coated dough into prepared pan. Cover, let rise until nearly
  double the size.

* Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown.