Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread!

Every weekend Ty and I have pizza. Whether we make it, go out for it, or order in..we share a pie religiously every single weekend!

This particular weekend was Carmageddon!- when we were required to stay put in our own neighborhoods for the weekend due to the 405 being shut down.

The city officials made it seem quite mandatory, and made a big hoopla about it. (click here for a bit more info if interested!)

Therefore I took it upon myself to make dinner that Saturday evening since I literally couldn’t do anything else… I had all day to stay inside get creative and cook.

I looked up fancy meat and salad recipes…but my gut kept telling me: “how dare you not eat pizza! Just think of another way or type to make!”

Luckily I stumbled upon this recipe, which immediately brought back soooo many childhood memories of slumber parties at my house …and waking up to the smell of butter, bread, and cinnamon!- Yup –Monkey Bread!

Ah the good old days, where your metabolism would allow you to eat this, with a side of pancakes and eggs! : )

When this recollection first popped into my mind, I thought about making it for breakfast Sunday morning…however it’s the only morning I sleep in….

But how could I not make it for dinner Saturday evening as well? It’s two of my favorite things rolled into one!- MONKEY BREAD ANNNND PIZZA!!

Although it may not look like the most sophisticated meal..it is severely delectable. We finished this dish in about a day… (I know I know..whaaaa? how?)

We had the majority for dinner; and then picked at the leftovers the next day as we lay by the pool. We wouldn’t tell each other. But every time we went upstairs to “check on the dog”, or “fill our drinks”..we grabbed a piece of monkey bread..and soon enough..it was allll gone.

<-----that is Roscoe..wanting some of the bread

I took the long route and made my own dough; but not my own sauce (shhh don’t tell my mother!)

I phoned my mother for her pizza dough recipe; she swears it takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs to rise.

But be warned…I made the dough, set it aside..went for a run..came back 50 mins later, and the dough had risen so high out of the bowl it was taking over my cabinets!

In a flurry I unfortunately didn’t take a pic (next time) but instead washed my hands and punched the dough, telling it to get back down into that bowl..because I was not ready to make him (the dough) yet! Gosh darnit!

I suggest, including a salad on the side…it will help alleviate the guilt!; )

Ingredients:

2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

4 Tbsp. butter

2lbs of pizza dough (enough for 2 pizza pies)

6 oz. mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes 

(you'll need 48 pieces)

48 slices of pepperoni

2-3cups marinara sauce, warmed for serving

Instructions

1.  Heat garlic and butter over medium heat just until the garlic begins to brown. Remove from heat and let sit.

2.  Lightly brush the inside of a bundt pan (or other oven-safe dish) with garlic butter.

3.  Pull off large marble sized balls of dough and flattten. Top with a slice of pepperoni and a cube of mozzarella.

4.  Wrap the dough around the pepperoni and cheese, pinching well to seal.

5.  Very lightly brush the pizza ball with garlic butter and place into the bundt pan ( i brushed the pizza balls with the garlic butter!)

6.  Repeat until all of the dough is used.

7.  Cover and let sit for 30 minutes, while preheating the oven to 400.

8.  Bake for 35 minutes, until the top is very brown.

9.  Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes or so..

10.  Turn out onto a platter and serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping!