Here’s a brief introduction to the process. In the following detailed steps, we'll guide you through everything you need to know. It’s a straightforward process with mouthwatering results. You’ll start by making the dough and letting it rise, then form the buttery, cinnamon-sugar-coated balls, and finish by drizzling the delightful cream cheese glaze over the warm monkey bread.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Begin by heating your water until warm, but not hot. Too hot and you’ll kill the yeast, which we definitely don't want. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in a small bowl and let it sit for about five minutes until it becomes frothy. This is your yeast activation process. The frothiness indicates that the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, salt, and vanilla extract. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and mix with warm milk, then add this mixture along with your activated yeast to the flour. Stir until the dough begins to come together. If it’s too dry, sprinkle in a bit more warm water; if it’s too sticky, add a touch more flour. Knead it lightly until it forms a smooth dough, approximately five minutes.

Lightly grease a bowl and place the dough in it. Cover with a damp cloth and set it in a warm area. Let it rise for about an hour until it has doubled in size. This is the exciting part; it’s like watching magic happen!

While the dough is rising, you can mix the ground cinnamon and brown sugar in a separate bowl. This is where the sweetness starts to come alive. In another bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into small pieces—about the size of a golf ball. Roll each piece in your hands, dip it in melted butter, and then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place these coated dough balls in a well-greased bundt pan. Keep layering until you’ve used all the dough. It doesn’t have to be perfect; little gaps will fill as it bakes.

Cover the bundt pan with a damp cloth and let it sit again for about 30 minutes. This step allows the dough to rise a second time, which contributes to its fluffiness when baked.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes or until it's golden brown and cooked through. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

While your monkey bread is baking, it’s time to make the glaze. In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla extract. Whip together until smooth. Adjust the milk quantity depending on how thick you want your glaze to be.

Once the monkey bread has cooled for about 10 minutes, invert it onto a serving plate. Drizzle the cream cheese glaze generously over the warm monkey bread, letting it drip into the crevices. Now, it’s ready to serve!