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This Apple Monkey Bread is a deliciously sweet and easy dish that makes the perfect breakfast or dessert! With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this pull-apart bread is soft, gooey, and bursting with apple chunks and warm spices. One bit and this will become your favorite fall treat!
Monkey bread. Have you ever had it? Or even heard of it?
To me, it’s one of the most deliciously sweet, addictingly (yep, that’s a word) easy dishes that I’ve ever had. I mean, pre-made biscuits, tossed in a cinnamon sugar mixture, coated with brown sugar and butter, and then baked until bubbly and golden. You really can’t get much easier than that, right?
But, even though I love monkey bread, I’ve only made it a few times, mainly because I lose ALL self-control around this dish. I can barely contain myself as it’s hot from the oven and oozing with that caramel brown sugar goodness. Mmm mmm good!
So, when I had the idea to take the classic monkey bread dish and give it a unique fall twist, this Apple Monkey Bread lasted all of five minutes in my house. It was just that good!
Oh, and side note, the hubster had never heard of (or tasted) monkey bread before I made this apple pie version. But, no worries, he’s now an official monkey bread convert….whew!
If you like monkey bread, then I guarantee that you’ll go crazy over this Apple Pie Monkey bread. Warm, gooey, and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. What more could you ask for?
Once you smell this monkey bread baking, you’ll be anxiously awaiting it to be done. It’s best warm from oven, and oozing with a warm, caramel-y flavor. It’s also fun to eat! You can simply pull the chunks apart and devour, or slice it and eat with a fork!
So, if you’re looking for a new, decadent breakfast or dessert for the fall, then this Apple Pie Monkey Bread is it!
Ingredients in Apple Monkey Bread
The ingredients are mostly the same as traditional monkey bread with biscuits, but I rolled the dough in a mixture of brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon to give it a hint of a deeper flavor.
And then comes the apple pie flavors, and there’s the glaze. I couldn’t help but top the monkey bread with a decadent vanilla glaze. It’s like the icing on the cake, err, bread!
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this apple monkey bread with canned biscuits:
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
- Refrigerated biscuits
- Apple pie filling
- Unsalted butter
- Heavy cream
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
How to Make Apple Monkey Bread
This apple cinnamon monkey bread is a deliciously sweet and easy dish that makes the perfect breakfast or dessert! With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this pull-apart bread is soft, gooey, and bursting with apple chunks and warm spices. One bite and this will become your favorite fall treat!
- Separate each biscuit and cut into quarters.
- Roll each biscuit piece into a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Place about half of the biscuit pieces into a greased bundt pan.
- Spoon about half of apple pie filling over biscuits. Top with remaining biscuit pieces, followed by rest of apple pie filling.
- Whisk together additional brown sugar and melted butter. Pour over the biscuits.
- Bake until the biscuits are golden and slightly set in the center.
- Invert the monkey bread, then drizzle with vanilla glaze.
How to Store Monkey Bread
This easy apple monkey bread should be sealed inside a zip-top bag and stored at room temperature. It will last up to 2 days.
Tips for Making This Easy Monkey Bread
- I used canned apple pie filling because I love the slightly sweetened flavor and ease of just popping open a can. But, feel free to cut up some fresh apples if you prefer!
- You’ll want to buy pre-made refrigerated biscuits for this recipe, not the frozen kind.
- You can omit the vanilla glaze, if desired … but this easy monkey bread is much better with it!
Looking for more apple desserts? I’ve got you covered!
- Caramel Apple Crisp
- Crockpot Apple Dump Cake
- Apple Danish with Caramel
- Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cookies
- Caramel Apple Pie Dip
Apple Monkey Bread
Ingredients
- ¼ cup light brown sugar , packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 cans (16 ounce) refrigerated biscuits
- 1 can (20 ounce) apple pie filling , roughly chopped
Caramel sauce
- 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
- ¾ cup unsalted butter , melted
Vanilla Glaze
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 12-cup bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Separate each biscuit and cut into quarters. Roll each biscuit piece into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place about half of the biscuit pieces in the prepared bundt pan.
- Spoon about half of apple pie filling over biscuits. Top with remaining biscuit pieces, followed by rest of apple pie filling. Set aside.
- To make the caramel sauce, add brown sugar and melted butter to a small bowl. Stir thoroughly to combine. Pour sauce over biscuits.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until biscuits are golden and slightly set in the center. If biscuits brown too quickly, loosely cover the top of pan with foil.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Then, take a plate or platter and invert pan onto it. Let sit for 5 minutes so that the sauce soaks into bread.
- To make the vanilla glaze, add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to a small bowl. Stir to combine. Drizzle over warm bread. Serve immediately.
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
Monkey bread is so amazing, and I love your fall-inspired apple twist! You’re right, though — the stuff is totally addicting! Mmmm…
Have a great week ahead, Gayle!
Gayle says
Thanks, Blair! Monkey bread is my weakness! 🙂
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I’m familiar with monkey bread, but not sure if I’ve had it before. I have no doubt it’s delicious – especially with apples! What a great treat 🙂
Gayle says
Monkey bread is so good, Megan! Thanks!
Mir says
You’ve turned on my English teacher nerd side with “addictingly.” Because ya know, it’s becoming a word, but I’m all about keeping “addictively.” Because that was the original, yo. Still, we shouldn’t always stick with the original. Like this monkey bread! SO much better than the plain kind. It’s gooey and gorgeous!
Gayle says
Haha I agree…addictively is definitely right! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Mir!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I love monkey bread! I’ve only made it a couple of times myself but have loved it so much! your apple pie monkey bread looks amazing!!!! Looks SO GOOD!
Gayle says
Thanks for the monkey bread love, Alice!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
My goodness you know just how to make a girl swoon! I can’t believe your husband never had monkey bread before! So many wasted years!
Gayle says
Haha right?! Good think I came along! 🙂 Thanks, Shelby!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
If this monkey bread isn’t PERFECT post long-weekend material I don’t even know what is!! I seriously just want to dive into my screen with both hands right now because this bread seriously looks that good. All that caramel-y goodness is making me swoon!
Gayle says
Thank you, Sarah! The caramel sauce gets me every time!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I seriously wish I had seen this Saturday, Gayle ’cause I had some biscuits in the fridge and this would have been fantastic to make!!
I’ve heard of monkey bread, but have never made or had. Now, I’m wondering what I have been waiting for!! I think I would find this addictive too :). Pinning and making soon!
Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Gayle says
Monkey bread is so good, Dawn! And very addicting too, so I think you would love it! Thanks for the kind words and pin, Dawn!
Sues says
I lose self-control around monkey bread, too, and this one would be even worse because I LOVEEEE apple pie. I might have to make this in secret and eat the entire thing myself hehehe.
Gayle says
Thanks, Sues! And I won’t tell if you eat this all on your own…I think I did! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Monkey bread is actually a tradition at my house for Christmas morning, so whenever I see it I get nostalgic.. and look around for presents. Lol! 😉 Needless to say I’m a huge fan, so I’m loving this apple pie version!!! This looks way beyond delicious, Gayle! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
Gayle says
Haha sorry I have no presents for you! It is such a great Christmas tradition, Cheyanne! And thanks for the kind words and pin!
Ashley - the recipe rebel says
I’m with you — I love monkey bread but hardly ever make it! For me, it’s something I can only make when I have at least half a dozen friends around, because it’s so good right out of the oven that I can’t stop! Lol. LOVE this apple pie version!
Gayle says
YES!! I need to remember to ONLY make this when I have others around who will eat it with me. Thanks, Ashley!
cookbook queen says
Okay but seriously — this is what I’d be served in heaven. Good grief — that glaze and those apples!! Totally swooning.
Gayle says
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
haha um yeah I have no self control around monkey bread either! So addictive!! I love this apple pie flavor! So perfect for fall!!
Gayle says
Thanks, Ashley!
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Gayle, you promised apple deliciousness and you DID not disappoint! 🙂 There’s just so much to love about this recipe: that glaze, the chunks of apple, um… MONKEY BREAD, and how perfectly fluffy it looks. Meanwhile, I can’t believe the hubster never heard of monkey bread! But then again, what a delicious new revelation for him, right? 😉 Extra glaze for me, please! Pinning and sharing, of course. Happy Tuesday, G! 🙂
Gayle says
Thank you, Demeter! My husband is now a monkey bread convert! Which is good, because then I’d have to eat this ALL by myself…not that it’s a bad thing, right? 🙂
Medha says
Apple pie flavors pair perfectly with that classic cinnamony flavor of monkey bread- I’m obsessed!
Gayle says
Thank you, Medha! It’s such a fun fall twist on the classic treat!
Marcie says
I’ve never had (or made) monkey bread and never knew what it was till I started blogging! I know it would be my undoing because I love carbs, and this particular version with apple pie flavors sounds even better! This is such a guilty pleasure but it would be worth every bite! ????
Gayle says
It’s definitely a guilty pleasure of mine! Thanks for the kind words, Marcie!
Manali@CookWithManali says
Mmm this sounds so amazing! all that caramel is making me drool!
Gayle says
Thank you, Manali!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
WOW!! This apple pie monkey bread looks phenomenal Gayle! Definitely making my heart swoon!!
Gayle says
Thanks for the monkey bread love, Jessica!
Kelly says
We just made monkey bread for the first time a few weeks ago and my kiddos had a blast! I love this apple pie version, Gayle! It looks totally irresistible and perfect for fall!
Gayle says
Isn’t it the best? So addicting! Thanks for the kind words, Kelly!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee says
This looks so sticky and good!
Gayle says
Thank you!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
I for real want this right now!! I’m obsessed with apple pie and this monkey bread is EVERYTHING! Love it, Gayle!!
Gayle says
Thanks, Jen!
annie@ciaochowbambina.com says
I’ll definitely go crazy over this Monkey Bread! I’ve had it before but not in the longest time!! Warm, gooey, and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze? You’re right… What more could we ask for?
Gayle says
It’s definitely one of those hard-to-forget desserts! Thanks, Annie!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Oh my goodness! This looks like one of the best tasting monkey breads I have ever seen. So gooey! Love that you used apples!
Gayle says
Thanks, Christin! The apples make this extra special!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
Oh my gosh yessssss, this looks amazing!! Monkey bread? Check. Apple pie? Check. Both of those things are delicious, so I KNOW this has to be!
Gayle says
Thank you, Annie!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Ooooh this looks dangerous! As in I’d probably polish it all off before Ben even got home 😉 It looks absolutely amazing Gayle!
Gayle says
Thanks, Denise! Luckily my husband was here to assist, otherwise I would’ve definitely eaten it ALL! 🙂
Pat C.Wilson says
you right, Gayle. This has become my favorite treat. 🙂 it’s apple season so we shouldn’t miss it. everything made from apple is always great. such a nice recipe, thanks.
Gayle says
Thank you, Pat! Apples were made to be in monkey bread!
Sabrina Zaragoza says
Gayle, I really enjoy reading all your posts. In this post, I feel happy when reading, really. I especially like below paragraph
“Once you smell this monkey bread baking, you’ll be anxiously awaiting it to be done. It’s best warm from oven, and oozing with a warm, caramel-y flavor. It’s also fun to eat! You can simply pull the chunks apart and devour, or slice it and eat with a fork!”
How lovely you describe your feeling.
Thanks for sharing and have a nice weekend.
Gayle says
Thank you, Sabrina! I’m so glad you enjoyed this! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Eden Passante says
Money bread is one of my favorite sweet treats! This twist on traditional monkey bread is perfect for the holidays, great idea!
Gayle says
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Eden!
Amy Deeter says
My stomach is growling. lol. i showed my husband this and he said ” lets make it ” lol
Gayle says
It’s so good, Amy! I hope you and your husband enjoy this if you try it. Thanks for stopping by!
Gigi says
I LOVE Monkey bread, but never made any. Yours looks Devine!! Sooo…what if I want to omit the apples, do I just DO it, and keep the rest of the recipe as is!? With glaze etc….?
Gayle says
Hi Gigi! Yes, you can certainly omit the apples if you like, the glaze and other ingredients should remain the same. Hope you enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
Joseph Heintz says
I have tried to make this more than once , I followed directions exactly , but ended up with uncooked doughy mess . It can’t be just 30 to 32 minutes at 350 it comes out uncooked
Gayle says
I’m sorry to hear that, Joseph! Thank you for letting me know. You may need to increase the cooking time then, as all oven vary.