Homemade Monkey Bread

Step 1

Have a candy thermometer on hand. Oil a 6 Cup bundt pan.

Step 2

Mix the flaxseed meal and water and set aside so that it can gel a bit.

Step 3

Boil the water and add the bran and mix. Set aside to let it settle to 125 degrees to 130 degrees.

Step 4

In a large bowl mix 2 cups of the flour with the yeast, sugar and salt. Mix in the warm bran and water mixture.

Step 5

Add the dates and enough flour to make a soft dough. You will probably use all the flour. Don't worry if you don't.

Step 6

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough until smooth and elastic.

Step 7

Add a little bit of flour as you roll and knead if it is sticky. You will see some date pieces all over the dough and that is fine.

Step 8

Make a ball with the dough, cover with a clean dish towel and let rest 10 minutes.

Step 9

Divide the dough in half and then half again. Make 5 balls out of each of the 4 divisions so that you have 20 balls.

Step 10

Dip each ball in the melted butter and place in the bundt pan. Place each ball around the bottom layer.

Step 11

Sprinkle half of the chopped pecans on the balls. Deliberately build the next layer around the edge of the pan. This will keep the shape of the bundt pan.

Step 12

Sprinkle the rest of the pecans. Cover the pan with a clean dish cloth and let rise in a warm area for 60 minutes.

Step 13

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Step 14

Remove from the oven and slowly pour the maple syrup all over the cake while it is still in the pan. Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes.

Step 15

Remove from pan and let cool completely on the wire rack. You can pour more maple syrup over the top of the Monkey Bread but it is not necessary. It all depends on your sweet tooth. The syrup soaks in.