Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

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Craving something cozy, sticky, and just sweet enough to count as dessert or brunch? This Caramel Apple Monkey Bread might be your next favorite. It pulls apart effortlessly, each gooey piece packed with cinnamon sugar, tender apple bits, and buttery caramel that drips down every bite.

Perfect for fall gatherings or a weekend bake, this monkey bread is built to impress without much fuss. It uses a few shortcuts (hello, store-bought dough!) but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Think apple pie meets sticky bun in the best possible way.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the mixing and caramelizing, let’s talk setup. Having the right tools will make this recipe stress-free and give you bakery-style results at home.

• Bundt Pan: The signature shape of monkey bread comes from a bundt pan. It allows the dough balls to stack and bake evenly while creating those beautiful caramel rivers.
• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least two. One for tossing the biscuit pieces in cinnamon sugar, and another for preparing your caramel apple mixture.
• Small Saucepan: Crucial for melting butter and brown sugar together into a quick caramel sauce.
• Cutting Board and Knife: For dicing apples into small cubes that tuck perfectly into every bite.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy matters here, especially when dealing with sugar and butter ratios.
• Non-stick Spray: Ensures your monkey bread releases from the pan like a dream, without tearing apart.

Once your tools are lined up, the rest of the recipe flows quickly. It’s a great bake to involve kids or guests in, too—especially the part where you get to squish biscuit dough into cinnamon sugar!

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Ingredients for the Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

Every ingredient in this recipe contributes to a perfect balance of texture, flavor, and sweetness. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why it matters:

• Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: This is the base. It bakes up fluffy and golden, absorbing the caramel like a sponge.
• Granulated Sugar: Used to coat the dough pieces with cinnamon, it adds sweet crunch and structure.
• Ground Cinnamon: Essential for that warm, spiced flavor we all crave in fall baking.
• Butter: Melted and combined with brown sugar, it creates the rich, sticky caramel sauce that binds everything together.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deep molasses note to the caramel and gives a richer flavor than white sugar alone.
• Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): Their tartness balances the sweetness and they hold up well during baking.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall depth of flavor, bringing warmth to the caramel.
• Optional Glaze (Powdered Sugar + Milk): For that bakery-finish drizzle across the top.

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How To Make the Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

Step 1: Prep and Chop the Apples

Peel and dice the apples into small, uniform cubes. This ensures even baking and helps the apples nestle into the dough crevices.

Step 2: Cut and Coat the Dough

Cut each biscuit into quarters. Toss the pieces in a bowl with cinnamon and granulated sugar until fully coated. This gives the exterior a sweet crust and that classic monkey bread texture.

Step 3: Layer the Apples and Dough

Grease your bundt pan well. Add a layer of biscuit pieces, followed by a scattering of chopped apples. Repeat this layering until all the dough and apples are in.

Step 4: Make the Caramel Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour the warm caramel evenly over the dough and apples in the pan.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 35-40 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the caramel should be bubbling slightly around the edges.

Step 6: Cool, Flip, and Glaze

Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then invert onto a plate. If using the optional glaze, drizzle it over while still slightly warm.

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Serving and Storing Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

This monkey bread is best served warm when the caramel is gooey and the apples are tender. You can plate it whole for a dramatic pull-apart centerpiece, or serve individual portions with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For storing, cover leftovers tightly and keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, pop individual servings in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to bring back that soft, sticky texture. It also freezes well—just wrap in foil and reheat in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of apples should I use?

Granny Smith apples are a popular choice for their tartness, which balances the sweetness. Honeycrisp also works well for a slightly sweeter flavor with a crisp bite.

Can I make this the night before?

Yes! Assemble everything in the bundt pan, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking the next day.

Can I use homemade biscuit dough?

Definitely. If you prefer making your dough from scratch, go for it. Just keep the texture soft and not too dense to soak up the caramel well.

How do I prevent it from sticking to the pan?

Use a generous amount of non-stick spray or grease with butter, making sure to get into all the crevices of the bundt pan. Letting it cool slightly before inverting also helps.

Is it possible to make it in a loaf pan?

You can, though a bundt pan gives better heat circulation. If using loaf pans, divide the mixture and reduce baking time slightly—check for doneness at 25-30 minutes.

What other toppings can I add?

Chopped pecans or walnuts go great with the apples and caramel. A drizzle of maple syrup or even a pinch of sea salt can elevate the flavor too.

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Want More Apple Dessert Ideas?

If apples and cozy desserts are your thing, you’re in for a treat. For another baked apple wonder, check out the Moist Apple Crumble Coffee Cake—a breakfast-for-dessert dream. Craving something wrapped and sweet? The Apple Enchiladas bring all the caramel flavor in a cinnamon-tortilla twist.

Or for a nostalgic fall side, try the Slow Cooker Cracker Barrel Fried Apples that pair perfectly with roasted meats or cozy Sunday dinners.

Baking for a crowd? You might love the Cinnamon Donut Bread, packed with warm spice, or go ultra-decadent with my Decadent Caramel Banana Pecan Cake.

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Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

You can save this to your dessert boards for next time. Just click the Pin button.

If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you try pecans? Did you go heavy on the glaze? Leave a comment below. I’m always curious how others bake it.

For even more sweet inspiration, follow my recipe pins over on Pinterest at LadyPlate and catch my daily favorites!

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