If you’re looking for a dessert that brings all the cozy autumn vibes into one irresistible bite, I have just the thing for you! This Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe combines the warm, spicy sweetness of cinnamon-sugar biscuits with tender chunks of tart apples, all drenched in luscious homemade caramel sauce. It’s a festive, pull-apart treat that’s perfect for sharing (or sneaking bites from the pan when no one’s looking).
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Crazy easy to assemble: No fancy dough-making here, just grab store-bought biscuits, mix with cinnamon sugar and apples, and you’re off to the races!
Perfectly shareable dessert: The pull-apart nature of monkey bread makes it fun and casual for gatherings, breakfast, or dessert with friends.
Balanced flavors: Tart Granny Smith apples, sweet brown sugar, and buttery caramel combine for that dreamy, cozy fall flavor profile.
Beautiful and impressive: Looks like a bakery-level treat, but takes less than an hour from start to finish.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe relies on simple pantry staples and fresh apples, each playing an essential role in making this dish shine. The brown and white sugars create that signature sweetness and caramelization, while cinnamon gives a warm spicy kick. The biscuits provide soft, fluffy texture, and the Granny Smith apples add that fresh, slightly tart pop that balances out the caramel sauce perfectly.
- Brown sugar: Use packed dark brown sugar for deeper molasses flavor or light brown sugar for a milder sweetness.
- White sugar: Adds crisp sweetness and helps create that crispy coating on the biscuit pieces.
- Ground cinnamon: Don’t skimp – it’s key to that comforting warm aroma.
- Refrigerated buttermilk biscuits: These replace homemade dough for easier prep; flaky and buttery for the perfect base.
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness contrasts beautifully with the caramel and cinnamon sugar.
- Butter: Use unsalted and melt it warm for an even caramel sauce mix.
- Sea salt: Just a pinch in the caramel sauce intensifies flavors and keeps sweetness from being overpowering.
How to Make Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your 9-inch bundt pan with baking spray to prevent sticking. In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon—this sugar blend is the magic that coats every piece of biscuit for sticky-sweet goodness. Separate each biscuit into fourths so you have bite-sized dough pieces, then toss them into the cinnamon sugar until they’re thoroughly coated. This is going to create that irresistible caramelized crust we all dream about.
Step 2: Add the Apples
Peel and dice the Granny Smith apples into small, even pieces—about a quarter-inch dice works perfectly. Layer half of your sugared biscuit pieces into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan, then sprinkle half of the diced apples over them. Keep alternating between layers of more biscuit pieces and apples until your pan is full, making sure each bite will have that beautiful blend of soft dough and tender apple chunks.
Step 3: Whisk and Drizzle Caramel Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the warm melted butter, brown sugar, and sea salt until smooth. This warm caramel sauce will drizzle evenly over your layered biscuit and apples, soaking into every nook and cranny for that gooey, crowd-pleasing finish. Pour it gently over the top so it cascades through the layers, promising sticky, buttery bites throughout.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your monkey bread in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is beautifully golden brown with a slightly crisp crust and you see bubbling caramel lapping at the edges. Take the bundt pan out and let it cool just 5 minutes—enough time so it’s firm but still warm and gooey inside.
Step 5: Flip and Serve
Place a serving plate on top of your bundt pan and quickly but carefully flip it upside down to release the monkey bread. Gently lift off the pan and watch as this golden, caramel-glazed masterpiece reveals itself—ready to be pulled apart, shared, and devoured while still warm and tender.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
While this monkey bread shines on its own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vanilla glaze over the top can amp up the sweetness and make it even more inviting. Fresh apple slices or a sprinkle of chopped pecans add texture and color if you’re craving some extra flair or crunch!
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the warm caramel and cinnamon flavors. For a brunch twist, serve alongside a hot mug of spiced cider or freshly brewed coffee to keep that cozy vibe going strong.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe extra special by serving it on a rustic wooden platter surrounded by cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices. Another fun idea is to portion it into individual ramekins before baking for single servings that look chic and perfectly shareable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which might be rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply cover tightly to keep the monkey bread moist and prevent the caramel from drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze this monkey bread either before baking (assembled in the bundt pan wrapped tightly with plastic wrap) or after baking (once completely cooled, cut into pieces and wrap individually). Freeze for up to 2 months to enjoy later—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm the whole thing in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and just gooey again. Avoid overheating to keep the caramel sauce silky and the biscuits tender.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade biscuit dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! While this Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe uses refrigerated biscuits for convenience, homemade biscuit dough or even pizza dough can work well if you prefer making dough from scratch. Just cut the dough into small pieces and proceed with coating and layering as directed.
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What kind of apples work best?
We recommend Granny Smith apples for their tartness, which counters the sweetness of the caramel and sugar. However, you can experiment with other firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn if you prefer a sweeter, less tangy bite.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, look for dairy-free biscuit options and swap butter for a plant-based margarine or coconut oil in the caramel sauce. Keep in mind the texture may vary slightly, but it’s a wonderful alternative for those with dietary restrictions.
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How can I prevent the monkey bread from sticking to the pan?
Generously spray your bundt pan with a non-stick baking spray, preferably one with flour included. You can also lightly grease with butter and dust with flour before adding the dough for easy release. Letting the bread rest for a few minutes before flipping also helps it come out cleanly.
Final Thoughts
If you love warm, gooey, fall-inspired treats, this Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe is absolute magic. It’s the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell incredible and brings everyone together around the table for a cozy bite. I can’t wait for you to try it and share these sweet, sticky pieces of happiness with your favorite people—get ready to bake and indulge!
Print
Caramel Apple Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Caramel Apple Monkey Bread is a deliciously sweet and cinnamon-spiced treat perfect for breakfast or dessert. Made with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, tart Granny Smith apples, and a rich homemade caramel sauce, this pull-apart bread bakes to a golden, bubbly perfection in a bundt pan. The layers of soft biscuit, sweet apples, and gooey caramel make every bite irresistibly flavorful and comforting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Biscuit & Fruit
- 2 cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (16 individual biscuits)
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (about ¼ inch pieces)
Caramel Sauce
- ¾ cup melted butter, warm
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch bundt pan generously with baking spray and set aside to ensure easy removal of the monkey bread after baking.
- Combine Sugars and Cinnamon: In a medium bowl, mix together ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup white sugar, and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon until well combined. This mixture will coat the biscuit pieces, giving them a sweet and spiced flavor.
- Prepare Biscuit Pieces: Separate the refrigerated buttermilk biscuits into 16 individual biscuits. Cut each biscuit into fourths, resulting in evenly sized small pieces. Toss the biscuit pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until every piece is evenly coated.
- Dice Apples: Peel the Granny Smith apples and dice them into small pieces about ¼ inch in size. This size allows the apples to bake evenly within the monkey bread and provide bursts of tart flavor.
- Layer Biscuit and Apples in the Pan: Add half of the sugared biscuit pieces into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan, spreading them evenly. Sprinkle half of the diced apples over the biscuit layer. Repeat by adding a few more biscuit pieces followed by more apples, continuing to alternate layers until the pan is full.
- Make and Pour Caramel Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the warm melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon sea salt until smooth. Drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the layered biscuits and apples in the bundt pan, ensuring it covers the top to infuse sweetness throughout.
- Bake the Monkey Bread: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. The top should turn golden brown and no longer look doughy. The caramel sauce will bubble slightly around the edges, signaling it is perfectly cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes on a wire rack. Carefully invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate and gently lift the pan away to reveal the monkey bread. Serve warm for an indulgent treat.
Notes
- Make sure to spray the bundt pan well to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- You can substitute Granny Smith apples with other tart apple varieties such as Honeycrisp or Braeburn if desired.
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts between the layers.
- Leftovers can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days and reheated gently in the oven.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of caramel sauce slightly or omit the sea salt.
