If you’re looking for the ultimate fall dessert or breakfast treat, look no further than this Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread! With a buttery, cinnamon-sugar coating, soft, pull-apart dough, and a sweet pumpkin glaze, this delicious monkey bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s for a cozy brunch, a weekend breakfast, or a holiday gathering, this recipe is sure to steal the show. Plus, it’s easy to make, using store-bought biscuit dough or homemade dough – whichever you prefer!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’ve never had monkey bread before, you’re in for a real treat. The pull-apart bread is filled with layers of soft, spiced dough that’s sweet, gooey, and absolutely irresistible. Here’s why you’ll love this pumpkin spice version:
- Warm, gooey, and comforting: The pumpkin spice sugar mixture, combined with melted butter and pumpkin puree, creates a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s perfect for fall.
- Bursting with fall flavors: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice give this bread all the cozy, autumnal flavors you love.
- Quick and easy to make: Using refrigerated biscuit dough makes this recipe a breeze, so you can whip it up even on the busiest mornings. If you have time and want to take it to the next level, homemade dough works just as well!
- Perfect for sharing: This monkey bread is designed to be pulled apart, making it a fun, interactive treat for family and friends to enjoy together.
- Make-ahead option: If you’re short on time in the morning, you can prep this the night before and bake it fresh when you’re ready to serve. Talk about convenience!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans (16 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough (or homemade dough)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Monkey Bread
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, grease a bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray to ensure your monkey bread doesn’t stick.
Next, cut each biscuit dough into quarters. This will create small, bite-sized pieces that are easy to pull apart once baked.
Step 2: Coat the Dough Pieces
In a large bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together. This sugar mixture will coat the dough, giving it that delicious pumpkin spice flavor.
In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-combined. This is the pumpkin butter that will make the bread so tender and flavorful.
Now, dip each dough piece into the butter-pumpkin mixture, making sure it’s well-coated. Then, roll it in the sugar-pumpkin spice mixture until it’s fully covered. Layer these coated dough pieces into the prepared bundt pan, stacking them on top of one another.
Step 3: Bake the Monkey Bread
Once all the dough pieces are layered into the pan, pour any remaining pumpkin butter mixture over the dough in the pan. This will help ensure the bread bakes up wonderfully gooey.
Bake the monkey bread for 35-40 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through. The bread will bubble up, and the edges will start to crisp up while the middle stays soft and gooey. You’ll know it’s ready when you can see the bread starting to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Once done, let the monkey bread cool for about 5 minutes. Then, invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate. Be careful here – the caramelized sugar might be hot!
Step 4: Make the Glaze
While your pumpkin spice monkey bread is cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a small bowl. You want the glaze to be smooth and pourable, so add milk or cream a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Once the monkey bread has cooled just a bit, drizzle the glaze over the top while it’s still warm. The glaze will melt into the bread, creating a deliciously sweet topping that takes the monkey bread to the next level.
Variations
While this Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is amazing as-is, there are a few easy variations to mix things up and add even more flavor.
- Pecan Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: Add chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers of dough for extra crunch. The nuts provide a nice contrast to the soft, gooey bread and complement the pumpkin spice perfectly.
- Maple Glaze: Replace the milk in the glaze with maple syrup for a deeper, richer flavor that’s perfect for fall. The maple syrup will add a lovely sweetness that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin spice.
- Chocolate Chip Version: For all the chocolate lovers out there, you can add mini chocolate chips to the dough before baking. The chocolate chips melt into the bread and create pockets of sweet goodness throughout the pull-apart pieces.
- Vegan Option: If you need a vegan version, use dairy-free biscuit dough, and substitute the butter, milk, and cream with plant-based alternatives such as almond milk and vegan butter. This will still result in a delicious treat without the dairy.
- Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread: For a slightly different twist, try using cinnamon roll dough instead of biscuit dough. The cinnamon roll dough adds an extra touch of sweetness and richness, making it even more decadent!
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t skip greasing the pan: It’s important to grease the bundt pan well to prevent the monkey bread from sticking. You can use butter or non-stick spray, but make sure every crevice is covered!
- Add extra flavor with spices: If you want your monkey bread to have an even stronger pumpkin spice flavor, feel free to add a pinch more cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the sugar mixture.
- For a caramel touch: If you’re feeling extra indulgent, drizzle some caramel sauce over the warm monkey bread before serving. The rich caramel pairs wonderfully with the pumpkin spice!
- Use fresh pumpkin puree: While canned pumpkin puree works great, if you have fresh pumpkin on hand, roasting it and blending it up is a fantastic option. Fresh pumpkin will give the bread a vibrant, natural flavor.
Storage Instructions
Once you’ve devoured a few pull-apart pieces (and let’s be honest, you’ll probably do that quickly), here’s how to store the leftovers:
- Room temperature: Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Be sure to reheat it before serving to bring back that warm, gooey texture.
- Refrigerator: The monkey bread will keep well for up to 5 days in the fridge. Just make sure it’s sealed tightly in a container. To reheat, pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or place it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.
- Freezer: You can freeze the monkey bread for up to 2 months. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. To enjoy, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven to bring it back to life.
Serving Suggestions
This Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is perfect all on its own, but here are a few ways to elevate the experience:
- With a hot drink: Serve this warm with a steaming cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy treat. It’s perfect for chilly fall mornings.
- Whipped cream or cream cheese frosting: For a decadent touch, serve the monkey bread with a dollop of whipped cream or a side of cream cheese frosting for dipping. It’s the perfect balance of tangy and sweet.
- Holiday brunch: This monkey bread makes a stunning centerpiece for a fall or holiday brunch. Pair it with savory dishes like scrambled eggs, fruit salads, or a cheese platter for a complete spread.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can assemble the monkey bread the night before, refrigerate it overnight, and bake it fresh in the morning.
What’s the best dough to use?
Refrigerated biscuit dough is the quickest and easiest option. However, if you have time, homemade dough works beautifully and adds an extra touch of love to the recipe.
Can I make this without a bundt pan?
No bundt pan? No problem! You can use a round baking dish, loaf pan, or even a muffin tin. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Conclusion
This Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is the epitome of fall indulgence. With its warm, gooey pumpkin spice goodness, soft, fluffy texture, and sweet glaze, it’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or any cozy gathering. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to make, and how quickly it will disappear once it’s served! Try it out today and bring a little extra autumn magic to your kitchen.
Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cans (16 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Cut each biscuit dough into quarters.
- In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract.
- Dip each biscuit piece into the butter-pumpkin mixture, then roll it in the sugar-pumpkin spice mixture.
- Layer the coated dough pieces into the prepared bundt pan.
- Pour any remaining butter-pumpkin mixture over the dough in the pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Let the monkey bread cool for 5 minutes, then invert it onto a serving plate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm monkey bread before serving.
