This vanilla almond bread is perfect for a weekend brunch. You simply throw everything together the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning.
Several years ago a friend of mine and I went to visit a another college friend in Austin. It was a fun trip that started a little rough.
After a very long flight delay, we finally arrived in Austin at 3am (that’s another story all on it’s own) and by that time, I had developed a full blown sinus infection. That was fun. (read as sarcasm)
We squealed, hugged each other, said our hello’s and we’ve missed you’s and then grabbed our luggage and set off on our first adventure.
Our friend hadn’t been in Austin long so we spent an hour trying to find a store that was open so I could get some medicine before heading back to her house. We found a store that had Nyquil (back when it was the really good stuff and before “the good stuff” was behind the counter) and I finally got a little bit of relief so I could sleep.
The next morning, we woke up to a yummy brunch of sausage casserole, fruit and a delicious vanilla almond bread that I had never had before.
While we were eating and visiting, she announced that her hubby had surprised her with a trip down to San Antonio (for the three of us) and that we would be staying in a haunted hotel.
I don’t know if it was truly haunted or not but even if it wasn’t, the staff did very well in making us think it was. I don’t think I slept a wink that weekend.
To this day, our dear friend’s hubby is banned from planning any of our trips. Ha!
Anyway, despite the haunted hotel and the horrible sinus infection (I was able to get some antibiotics while we were there), we had so much fun and made memories that will last a lifetime.
Among those many memories was the vanilla almond bread my friend had served for brunch that first morning. I came home with the recipe and have been making it ever since. My family loves it.
Vanilla Almond Bread
It’s like a monkey bread….but with a twist.
The vanilla pudding gives you the vanilla taste while the almonds and almond extract leaves a hint of almond flavor.
Almonds have always seemed so fancy to me so I think of this almond bread as the sophisticated version of monkey bread.
Sophisticated or not, just about everyone who tries it, loves it.
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 18 frozen Rhodes Dinner Rolls
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine almond extract, butter, and brown sugar. Microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and microwave and additional minute until bubbly.
- Spray large bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and place frozen dinner rolls in bundt pan. Pour sugar mixture over the rolls and sprinkle with vanilla pudding mix then the almonds. Cover and let rise overnight.
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Invert bread onto a plate. Serve warm.
- Tip #1: Spray saran wrap to keep bread from sticking once it rises.
- Tip #2: Spray plate to keep bread from sticking when trying to serve.
