As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice wafting through the house. This Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is the ultimate autumn treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack. With its gooey cinnamon rolls, warm spices, and sweet, sticky glaze, this pull-apart bread is a crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering or simply indulging in the flavors of the season, this monkey bread will quickly become a favorite.
This recipe takes the classic monkey bread to the next level by incorporating pumpkin spice, adding a seasonal twist to a beloved treat. Using store-bought Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls makes this recipe incredibly easy and convenient, while still delivering that homemade taste everyone loves. The result is a pull-apart bread that’s soft, gooey, and bursting with the flavors of fall.
The Appeal of Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread
Monkey bread has long been a favorite for its playful, pull-apart nature and its irresistible combination of soft dough, buttery cinnamon sugar, and sticky glaze. It’s a treat that’s both nostalgic and timeless, bringing together the best parts of a cinnamon roll in a shareable format. By adding pumpkin spice to the mix, this recipe embraces the flavors of autumn, making it the perfect treat for fall mornings or holiday gatherings.
The beauty of this monkey bread is in its simplicity. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a show-stopping dish that will have everyone coming back for more. The pumpkin spice adds warmth and depth to the flavor, while the brown sugar and butter mixture creates a rich, caramel-like coating that makes this monkey bread truly indulgent.
Ingredients Breakdown
Monkey Bread
- Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls (2 cans): These store-bought cinnamon rolls form the base of the monkey bread, making this recipe quick and easy to prepare. The rolls are already flavored with cinnamon and sugar, so they complement the pumpkin spice perfectly.
- Granulated Sugar (¼ cup, 50g): Granulated sugar is used to coat the cinnamon roll pieces, adding sweetness and helping to create a slightly crisp exterior as the monkey bread bakes.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice (1½ teaspoons, divided): Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of warm spices, typically including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. It infuses the monkey bread with the cozy flavors of fall.
- Brown Sugar (½ cup, 100g, packed): Brown sugar adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the monkey bread. When combined with the melted butter, it creates a gooey, sticky sauce that coats the cinnamon roll pieces.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, 113g, melted): Melted butter adds richness and moisture to the monkey bread, helping to create a soft, gooey texture. It also combines with the brown sugar to form the sticky glaze that makes monkey bread so irresistible.
Glaze
- Icing from Cinnamon Rolls: The icing that comes with the Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls is used as a glaze for the monkey bread. It adds sweetness and a creamy texture that complements the warm spices.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice (½ teaspoon): A touch of pumpkin pie spice is added to the icing, enhancing the fall flavors and tying the whole dish together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Monkey Bread
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 12-cup bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray, making sure to coat all the nooks and crannies to prevent the monkey bread from sticking.
- Cut the Cinnamon Rolls: Open both cans of Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls and set the icing aside for later. Using a sharp knife, cut each cinnamon roll into four pieces. Don’t worry if the pieces fall apart slightly—they’ll come together as the monkey bread bakes.
- Coat the Cinnamon Roll Pieces: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Add the cut-up cinnamon roll pieces to the bag, seal it, and shake well to coat the pieces with the cinnamon sugar mixture. This step adds extra flavor and a slight crunch to the exterior of the monkey bread.
Assembling and Baking the Monkey Bread
- Layer the Cinnamon Rolls in the Pan: Place the coated cinnamon roll pieces in the prepared bundt pan, spreading them out evenly. The pieces don’t need to be perfectly arranged, as they will rise and expand during baking.
- Prepare the Brown Sugar Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the packed brown sugar and melted butter until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and thick, resembling caramel sauce. Pour this mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the pan, making sure to cover as much of the dough as possible. This will create the sticky, gooey texture that makes monkey bread so delicious.
- Bake the Monkey Bread: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top of the monkey bread is a deep golden brown and the rolls are cooked through. The top should be slightly crisp, while the inside remains soft and gooey. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the pan loosely with foil to prevent burning.
Finishing and Serving the Monkey Bread
- Cool and Invert the Monkey Bread: Once the monkey bread is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This allows the caramelized sugar to set slightly, making it easier to remove the bread from the pan. After 5 minutes, carefully invert the monkey bread onto a serving plate. Be cautious when handling the pan, as it will still be very hot.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the monkey bread is cooling, stir the remaining ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice into the reserved icing from the cinnamon rolls. The icing should be smooth and easy to drizzle. If it’s too thick, you can thin it out with a few drops of milk.
- Drizzle the Glaze: Once the monkey bread is on the serving plate, drizzle the spiced icing over the top, letting it flow down the sides and into the crevices of the bread. The warm monkey bread will slightly melt the icing, creating a luscious glaze that ties all the flavors together.
Serving and Storing
- Serve the Monkey Bread: Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is best served warm, when the dough is soft and gooey and the glaze is slightly melted. This treat is perfect for sharing—just pull apart the pieces with your hands or use a fork if you prefer. It’s an ideal dish for a fall brunch, a holiday breakfast, or a cozy afternoon snack.
- Storing the Monkey Bread: If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), you can store the monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds per serving.
Tips for Success
- Use Nonstick Spray Generously: Be sure to spray your bundt pan thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray. Monkey bread is known for its sticky, gooey texture, so you want to make sure it releases easily from the pan after baking.
- Check for Doneness: The top of the monkey bread should be deeply golden brown, and the rolls should be cooked through. If the top is browning too quickly, cover the pan loosely with foil to allow the inside to finish cooking without burning the top.
- Invert Carefully: When inverting the monkey bread onto your serving plate, do so carefully. The bundt pan will be hot, and the monkey bread will still be soft and gooey. Let it cool for a few minutes before inverting to make this process easier.
Variations and Customizations
- Pecan Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: For added crunch and flavor, sprinkle ½ cup of chopped pecans over the cinnamon roll pieces before pouring on the brown sugar butter mixture. The nuts will caramelize as they bake, adding a delightful texture to the monkey bread.
- Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread: Add 1 cup of finely chopped apples to the cinnamon roll pieces before coating them with the cinnamon sugar mixture. The apples will soften and add a sweet, fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin spice.
- Cream Cheese Icing: For a richer, tangier glaze, substitute the cinnamon roll icing with a cream cheese icing. Simply beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the monkey bread while still warm.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is the ultimate fall treat, combining the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin spice with the fun, pull-apart nature of monkey bread. This recipe is easy to make, using store-bought cinnamon rolls as a base, and delivers a decadent, gooey dish that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or a holiday gathering, this monkey bread is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
The addition of pumpkin spice brings a seasonal twist to a classic favorite, making it the perfect dish to enjoy as the weather cools down and the leaves start to fall. With its soft, gooey texture, sweet glaze, and rich, spiced flavor, this Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is sure to become a staple in your fall baking lineup. So the next time you’re looking for a cozy, delicious treat to make, give this recipe a try—you won’t be disappointed!