Easy Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe: The Ultimate Fall Breakfast Treat
Easy Caramel Apple Monkey Bread is an irresistibly delicious and easy-to-make breakfast or brunch option that perfectly captures the essence of fall. Featuring the delightful combination of tart Granny Smith apples, sweet and sticky caramel sauce, and the convenience of buttery canned biscuits, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Requiring only six simple ingredients and a mere 10 minutes of preparation time, it’s the ideal solution for busy weekday mornings or relaxed weekend gatherings.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love It
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Variations
- How to Make Monkey Bread with Biscuits
- Kelly’s Recipe Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Fall Favorites
- Easy Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe
This Caramel Apple Monkey Bread is a delectable twist on the classic monkey bread recipe, especially suited for the autumn season. The harmonious blend of warm, sticky caramel sauce and the satisfying crunch of tart Granny Smith apple chunks elevates this monkey bread to a whole new level of indulgence. Prepare to make it your new favorite fall breakfast or dessert!
What truly distinguishes this recipe is its simplified caramel sauce, adding a luxurious, buttery sweetness that perfectly complements the tartness of the apples. The bread itself boasts a soft and fluffy texture, providing just the right amount of “pull-apart” fun and satisfying chewiness. The ease of preparation, combined with the incredible taste, makes this dish an absolute winner.
Whether you’re looking for a sticky, sweet treat to share with a small group or a larger gathering, this monkey bread is easily adaptable. So, grab that store-bought biscuit dough and those crisp apples, and get ready to create a new go-to breakfast indulgence that’s perfect for both hectic weekday mornings and leisurely weekend brunches. It’s a sweet escape you’ll want to savor again and again.
Why You’ll Love It
- Incredibly Easy to Make: With a handful of readily available ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a warm, gooey, and irresistible loaf of Caramel Apple Monkey Bread gracing your table in no time. It’s a truly simple recipe that delivers outstanding results.
- A Taste of Fall in Every Bite: This monkey bread recipe encapsulates the essence of autumn, infusing the beloved and irresistible pull-apart bread with warm, comforting flavors that tantalize the taste buds and leave you craving more. The apple and caramel combination is a classic for a reason!
- Irresistibly Gooey: The hallmark of any great monkey bread is its gooey, sweet, and sticky nature, and this recipe certainly doesn’t disappoint. Each pull-apart piece is a delightful, satisfying treat that’s impossible to resist. It’s a delightful sensory experience from start to finish.
- Perfect for Sharing: The fun, interactive nature of monkey bread makes it an ideal treat for sharing with friends, family, or even colleagues. Its pull-apart design encourages togetherness and creates a communal eating experience. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply enjoying a cozy night in, this monkey bread is sure to spark joy.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Making this Caramel Apple Monkey Bread is a fantastic activity to involve kids in the kitchen. They can help with tasks like cutting the biscuits, tossing them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and layering the ingredients in the bundt pan. It’s a fun, engaging, and educational way to create lasting memories together.
- Customizable Flavors: While the caramel and apple combination is a classic, feel free to experiment with other fall flavors. Consider adding a sprinkle of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon-sugar mixture, or using different types of apples like Honeycrisp or Gala. The possibilities are endless!
- A Dessert Disguised as Breakfast: Let’s be honest, this Caramel Apple Monkey Bread is indulgent enough to be a dessert, but it’s perfectly acceptable to enjoy it for breakfast or brunch. The sweet and comforting flavors are a delightful way to start the day or to satisfy a sweet craving any time of day.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a simple autumn gathering, this monkey bread is a festive and crowd-pleasing addition to any occasion. Its impressive presentation and delicious taste will make it a standout dish that everyone will remember.
Pro Tip: Unleash your creativity with additional toppings! Don’t hesitate to experiment with extras like chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts work beautifully), raisins, or a decadent drizzle of homemade butterscotch sauce. These additions can enhance both the flavor and texture of your monkey bread, creating a truly unique and personalized treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sugar: In this recipe, granulated sugar is mixed with cinnamon to create a delicious coating for each piece of canned biscuit dough. This sugary coating provides a delightful sweetness and a slightly crisp texture to the baked monkey bread.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warm, spicy notes that complement the apples and caramel beautifully. It infuses the monkey bread with a comforting aroma and enhances the overall flavor profile. Don’t skimp on the cinnamon!
- Refrigerated Biscuits: Canned biscuits are the secret to a quick and easy monkey bread. They provide a convenient and reliable base that yields a soft and fluffy texture. They’re also my secret shortcut to quick-fix air fryer doughnuts! Feel free to use your favorite brand of refrigerated biscuits.
- Apples: Just like my recipes for Caramel Apple Bread Pudding and Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings, Granny Smith apples are ideal due to their tartness and ability to hold their shape during baking. However, you can also use other tart apple varieties such as Braeburn or Honeycrisp. Choose apples that won’t turn to mush when baked.
- Light Brown Sugar: When combined with melted butter, light brown sugar creates the luscious caramel sauce that coats the monkey bread. The molasses content in brown sugar adds depth of flavor and contributes to the sauce’s characteristic stickiness. You can use dark brown sugar for a more intense caramel flavor if desired.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is a crucial component of the caramel glaze, providing richness, flavor, and a smooth, velvety texture. Make sure to use unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness of the dish. The butter helps to create that irresistible gooeyness that makes monkey bread so addictive.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Monkey Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze: Take your monkey bread to the next level by adding a tangy cream cheese glaze. It’s like a gigantic cinnamon roll with nooks and crannies loaded with cinnamon butter and topped off with creamy, decadent frosting.
- Easy Pecan Monkey Bread: Add a nutty crunch to your monkey bread with the addition of pecans. This quick-fix recipe turns store-bought biscuits into a breakfast winner by layering sticky-sweet caramel and crunchy pecans in every bite. The pecans provide a wonderful textural contrast to the soft, gooey bread.
- Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: For an even more pronounced fall flavor, incorporate pumpkin spice into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Add about 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for a warm and aromatic twist. You can also add a tablespoon or two of pumpkin puree to the caramel sauce for a deeper pumpkin flavor.
- Chocolate Chip Monkey Bread: Satisfy your chocolate cravings by adding chocolate chips to the layers of dough. Sprinkle a generous amount of chocolate chips between each layer for a melty, chocolatey surprise in every bite.
- Savory Monkey Bread: For a savory twist, try using Italian seasoning instead of cinnamon and adding shredded cheese and cooked bacon or sausage to the layers. This makes a great appetizer or brunch dish.
How to Make Monkey Bread with Biscuits
- Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup bundt pan thoroughly with cooking spray. This will ensure that the monkey bread releases easily from the pan after baking.
- Prepare the sugar-cinnamon mixture: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix well until evenly combined and set aside. This mixture will coat the biscuit pieces, adding sweetness and spice.
- Cut and coat the biscuits: Open the cans of refrigerated biscuits and separate the dough into 16 individual biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters. Add each piece of dough to the bowl with the cinnamon and sugar, tossing it gently to coat it on all sides. Make sure each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor.
- Layer in the bundt pan: Begin layering the coated dough pieces with the diced apples in the prepared bundt pan. Distribute the apple pieces evenly throughout the layers of dough. This ensures that every bite is filled with the delicious combination of caramel, apples, and biscuit.
- Make the caramel sauce: In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, mix together the light brown sugar and melted butter. Stir until well combined and smooth. Pour the mixture evenly on top of the dough in the bundt pan. The caramel sauce will seep down between the layers, creating a gooey and decadent treat.
- Bake, cool, and enjoy: Bake the monkey bread in the preheated oven for 28 to 32 minutes, or until it is no longer doughy in the center and the top is golden brown. Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes in the pan. After the brief cooling period, place a serving plate on top of the pan and carefully flip it upside down to release the monkey bread. Serve the homemade Caramel Apple Monkey Bread immediately while it is still warm and gooey.
Kelly’s Recipe Tips
- Use a Non-Stick Bundt Pan: To ensure easy removal of the monkey bread, make sure to thoroughly grease your bundt pan with cooking spray. A non-stick bundt pan is an even better choice, providing extra insurance against sticking. Alternatively, you can use butter and flour to grease the pan.
- Serve Warm: Monkey bread is best enjoyed while it is still warm, so try to serve it shortly after it is done baking for the most gooey and delightful experience. The warm caramel sauce and soft, tender biscuit pieces are simply irresistible when served fresh from the oven.
- Store Leftovers Properly: If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. To reheat individual servings, you can use the microwave. For the whole monkey bread, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), place the bread on a baking sheet, and bake for about 10 minutes, or until it is warm and soft again.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the monkey bread while it’s baking to prevent it from becoming dry or overbaked. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around 28 minutes. The monkey bread is ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let it Cool Briefly: While it’s tempting to flip the monkey bread out of the pan immediately after baking, it’s important to let it cool for a few minutes first. This allows the caramel sauce to set slightly, which will make it easier to release from the pan without falling apart.
- Get Creative with Garnishes: Once the monkey bread is flipped onto a serving plate, consider adding some garnishes to enhance its visual appeal. A dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts can elevate the presentation and add extra flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monkey bread is a popular sweet dish made of bite-sized pieces of dough coated with sugar, cinnamon, and butter. It’s served with a sweet glaze and is known for its gooey texture and pull-apart nature. The dough pieces are arranged in a bundt pan, creating a fun and interactive eating experience. The name “monkey bread” likely comes from the fact that it’s typically eaten by picking at the pieces, much like how monkeys groom each other.
While refrigerated biscuit dough is the most convenient option for this recipe, you can try using store-bought or homemade pizza dough as a substitute. Keep in mind that the texture will be slightly different, resulting in a chewier rather than a fluffy monkey bread. You may also need to adjust the baking time accordingly.
If you don’t have a bundt pan, don’t worry! There are several alternatives you can use to bake monkey bread. A tube pan, with its similar shape and removable bottom, is a great choice. A springform pan, designed for cheesecakes, also works well due to its removable sides. Just ensure you adequately grease your pan and adjust the baking time accordingly to ensure the monkey bread is cooked through.
While monkey bread is best served fresh and warm, you can prepare it ahead of time and bake it later. Assemble the monkey bread in the bundt pan according to the recipe instructions, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. This allows the dough to warm up slightly, resulting in a more evenly baked monkey bread.
The key to preventing monkey bread from sticking to the pan is to grease it generously and thoroughly. Use cooking spray, butter, or a combination of both to coat every nook and cranny of the bundt pan. You can also dust the greased pan with flour or granulated sugar for extra insurance. After baking, allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. This will allow the caramel sauce to set slightly, making it easier to release the monkey bread without sticking.
Yes, you can freeze monkey bread for longer storage. Allow the baked monkey bread to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the monkey bread overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it in a warm oven or microwave until heated through.
More Fall Favorites
- Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes
- Easy Apple Turnovers
- Muffin Tin Mini Apple Pies
- Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake
- 30-Minute Apple Fritters
- Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- Maple Pecan Pie
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Easy Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe
