If you are looking for a cozy treat that brings the perfect blend of sweet, spice, and soft doughy goodness, the Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This delightful dish features pillowy biscuit pieces enveloped in warm cinnamon sugar, tender bits of apples, and a luscious caramel sauce that bakes into golden perfection. Ideal for holidays, brunches, or simply adding a heartwarming touch to lazy weekend mornings, this recipe effortlessly creates a comforting and crowd-pleasing centerpiece that everyone will love pulling apart and savoring.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make this scrumptious Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe is a breeze with a handful of simple, everyday ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and texture that makes every bite so irresistible.
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough: The base of our monkey bread, these soft dough pieces bake into fluffy, pull-apart bites.
- 2 cups apples, peeled and diced: Firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp add a fresh, tart contrast and tender texture.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon to coat biscuits and apples for that sweet-spicy layer.
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Infuses warm, aromatic spice that complements the apples perfectly.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Melts into a rich caramel sauce for a glossy, buttery finish.
- ¾ cup brown sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness to the caramel sauce.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the caramel sauce with a smooth, fragrant note.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Pan and Dough
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously greasing a Bundt pan. This ensures your monkey bread will release beautifully once baked. Then, cut each biscuit from the refrigerated dough into quarters so the pieces are bite-sized and perfect for layering.
Step 2: Coating the Biscuits and Apples
In a mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Toss the biscuit pieces and diced apples in this fragrant mixture until every piece is lightly and evenly coated—this step layers in the signature sweet-spicy crunch that makes this recipe so addictive.
Step 3: Assembling the Layers
Layer the cinnamon-sugar-coated biscuit and apple mixture evenly into your prepared Bundt pan. It’s like building a mosaic of flavor ready to be elevated by the buttery caramel sauce that follows.
Step 4: Crafting the Caramel Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and brown sugar together, stirring until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Remove the pan from heat and gently stir in the vanilla extract to round out the sauce’s rich, warmth. Pour this golden elixir evenly over the dough and apples in the Bundt pan, ensuring every nook and cranny is kissed by caramel goodness.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Place your Bundt pan into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the monkey bread is deeply golden and cooked through. The aroma filling your kitchen will be downright irresistible! Once out of the oven, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate—this rest time helps prevent any sticky caramel mishaps.
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
To enhance the charm of your apple cinnamon monkey bread, consider sprinkling it with a dusting of powdered sugar or adding a drizzle of vanilla glaze. A scoop of whipped cream or a dollop of creamy mascarpone can also elevate the experience, adding contrasting richness that pairs beautifully with the spiced apples and caramel.
Side Dishes
This pull-apart treat pairs remarkably well with simple, fresh sides like a bowl of mixed berries or a crisp green salad to balance the sweetness. For brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs or crispy bacon to turn your meal into a full-fledged celebration of flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe the star of your table by serving it in a rustic wooden board surrounded by cinnamon sticks, fresh apple slices, and a small dish of caramel sauce for dipping. For gatherings, provide guests with small plates and forks, inviting them to pull apart pieces and enjoy the moment together—a fun and interactive experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps it soft and moist, ready to be enjoyed as a quick snack or breakfast the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze your Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe before baking by assembling it in the Bundt pan, covering tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freezing for up to one month. When ready, bake it straight from frozen—just add extra baking time until golden and cooked through.
Reheating
To revive the warm, gooey magic of monkey bread leftovers, reheat portions in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes wrapped in foil. This restores its tender texture and melty caramel sauce as if freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use fresh homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh biscuit dough works wonderfully and may add an extra touch of fluffiness. Just be sure to cut it into quarters like the canned version to maintain that perfect pull-apart size.
What types of apples work best for this recipe?
Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold their shape during baking and provide a delightful tartness that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the caramel sauce.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
Yes, by substituting vegan biscuit dough or making your own, using plant-based butter, and ensuring the sugar is vegan-friendly, you can enjoy a delicious vegan version of the Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the monkey bread?
Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts can add a lovely crunch, and raisins bring bursts of chewy sweetness—just toss them in with the apples and biscuit pieces before layering.
How do I prevent the caramel sauce from burning when baking?
Greasing the Bundt pan generously and letting the baked bread cool for 10 minutes before flipping helps protect the caramel. If you notice any caramel sticking, gently run a knife around the edges before inverting to loosen it.
Final Thoughts
If you want to fill your home with the inviting aroma of cinnamon, apples, and buttery caramel, then trying this Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe is a must. It’s simple to make, endlessly shareable, and the kind of dish that turns any occasion into a warm celebration. So grab your ingredients, gather your loved ones, and enjoy the magic of pulling apart this delicious bread, bite by gooey, sweet bite.
Print
Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread is a warm, gooey pull-apart bread made with soft biscuit pieces, tender apples, cinnamon sugar, and a rich caramel sauce. This delightful treat is perfect for holidays, brunch, or cozy weekend mornings, offering a sweet, cinnamon-spiced flavor with a luscious buttery glaze.
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 2 cans refrigerated biscuit dough
- 2 cups apples, peeled and diced (use firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a Bundt pan to ensure the monkey bread doesn’t stick.
- Prepare Biscuit Pieces: Cut each biscuit from the refrigerated dough into quarters to create bite-sized pieces for easy layering and pulling apart later.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly to evenly coat the biscuit pieces and apples.
- Toss Biscuit and Apples: Add the biscuit quarters and diced apples to the cinnamon sugar mixture, tossing gently until all pieces are well coated with the sugar and cinnamon.
- Layer in Bundt Pan: Evenly distribute the coated biscuit and apple mixture throughout the prepared Bundt pan, forming layers that will bake together.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir continuously until the mixture is smooth, bubbly, and fully combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour Sauce Over Dough: Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the layered biscuit and apple mixture in the Bundt pan, ensuring it seeps down through the layers.
- Bake: Place the Bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the monkey bread is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Invert: Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate so the gooey caramel sauce coats the bread beautifully.
Notes
- Use firm apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture that holds up during baking.
- Allow the monkey bread to rest for 10 minutes before flipping to prevent the caramel sauce from burning or dripping excessively.
- Serve warm for the best gooey texture and flavor experience.
- This recipe can be prepped the night before and baked fresh in the morning for convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
