This Easy Caramel Apple Pecan Monkey Bread is a fun and sweet treat! It features warm, sticky dough balls filled with apples and crunchy pecans, all drizzled with rich caramel.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Biscuit Dough: The base of this monkey bread comes from refrigerated biscuit dough. You can use store-bought dough for ease, but if you prefer homemade, biscuit recipes work too. Just make sure it’s a dough that can be pulled apart easily!
Apples: I recommend using Granny Smith apples for their tartness, which balances the sweetness. If you have other varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji, feel free to substitute. Just make sure they’re firm and won’t turn mushy while baking.
Pecans: Chopped pecans add nice crunch and flavor. If you’re allergic or don’t have any, walnuts can be a good substitute. Pumpkin seeds or even just leaving them out will still result in a tasty treat!
Brown Sugar: This ingredient helps create that delicious caramel flavor. If you’re out, you can substitute with granulated sugar but add a tablespoon of molasses (if you have it) to mimic the depth of brown sugar.
How Do I Ensure My Monkey Bread is Perfectly Sticky and Gooey?
To achieve that deliciously gooey quality in your monkey bread, pay attention to your caramel sauce! After melting the butter, stirring in the brown sugar and vanilla is key. Make sure it simmers for just a couple of minutes until slightly thick. It should be pourable but not too runny.
- Be careful not to over-melt the butter; a nice simmering should get you the right texture.
- Make sure to cover all the biscuit pieces evenly when pouring the caramel sauce; this helps in getting that sticky goodness throughout.
- During baking, the biscuit dough rises and absorbs the caramel, giving you that pull-apart goodness.
Easy Caramel Apple Pecan Monkey Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Monkey Bread:
- 2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cooking spray
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and 35-40 minutes to bake. You’ll want to let it cool for 10 minutes before serving, bringing the total time to about 1 hour. Perfect for a cozy dessert or a weekend brunch treat!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grab your bundt pan or tube pan and give it a good spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar:
In a medium bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. This will give your monkey bread a sweet, warm flavor.
3. Cut and Coat the Biscuits:
Open the cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Toss these pieces into the cinnamon sugar mixture until they are well coated. This adds so much yumminess!
4. Add Apples and Pecans:
Gently fold in the finely chopped apple and chopped pecans with the coated biscuit pieces. Make sure everything is mixed well so every bite has that delicious apple and nut crunch.
5. Layer in the Pan:
Layer the coated biscuit mixture evenly into the greased bundt pan. This helps ensure that the flavors meld beautifully as it bakes.
6. Make the Caramel Sauce:
In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Let this simmer for about 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly. This is your delicious caramel sauce!
7. Pour the Sauce:
Take the warm caramel sauce and pour it evenly over the layered biscuit pieces in the bundt pan. Make sure every piece gets a little love!
8. Bake the Monkey Bread:
Put your bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes. You want the top to be golden brown and the biscuit dough to be fully cooked through.
9. Cool and Invert:
Once baked, carefully remove the monkey bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, gently invert it onto a serving plate. This helps all the sticky goodness fall nicely into place.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Your Easy Caramel Apple Pecan Monkey Bread is ready! Serve it warm, and if you like, drizzle more caramel sauce over the top or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. Enjoy digging in!
FAQs About Easy Caramel Apple Pecan Monkey Bread
Can I Use Frozen Biscuit Dough Instead?
Yes, you can use frozen biscuit dough! Just make sure to thaw it completely before cutting it into quarters. This will ensure that the pieces rise and bake evenly.
What Type of Apples Are Best for This Recipe?
Granny Smith apples are a great choice due to their tartness, which complements the sweetness of the caramel. However, you can also use Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a sweeter flavor. Just be sure they are firm to avoid mushiness while baking!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just reheat in the microwave or oven before serving for that warm, sticky goodness again.
Can I Make This Monkey Bread Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare everything up to the baking step, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to enjoy, just bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.