Name: Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: Your New Fall Favorite Dessert!
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 10-12 servings
Ingredients: 3 (16.3-oz.) cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice; 1 stick salted butter; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree; 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree; Optional: Powdered sugar, for dusting; Optional: Chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted

Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe – just hearing those words evokes images of cozy autumn mornings, warm kitchens, and the irresistible aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin mingling with sweet, buttery dough. I am thrilled to share with you a delightful twist on a classic, perfect for gatherings, holidays, or simply a special treat to brighten your day.

The original monkey bread, with its playful pull-apart segments, has long been a beloved staple at breakfasts and brunches, cherished for its communal nature and incredibly satisfying texture. Its charm lies in its simplicity and the sheer joy of tearing off a piece of soft, sticky bread. Now, imagine taking that beloved concept and infusing it with the quintessential flavors of fall. This particular Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe elevates the experience, transforming a familiar comfort into an autumnal masterpiece.

Why This Recipe Will Become Your New Fall Favorite

People adore this dish not just for its nostalgic appeal, but for the harmonious blend of rich pumpkin spice flavors, the gooey caramel-like glaze, and the wonderfully soft, pillowy texture that makes every bite an absolute dream. It’s incredibly easy to make, yet presents beautifully, making it an ideal centerpiece. Prepare to delight your family and friends with this decadent, fragrant, and utterly delicious pull-apart bread that promises to make any occasion feel extra special and warm.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed to 105-115°F (40-46°C)
2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar, plus a pinch for yeast
1 large egg, at room temperature
¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon salt
3 ½ to 4 cups (420-480g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

For the Pumpkin Spice Coating:

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted

For the Caramel Sauce:

½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Optional Garnish:

Powdered sugar, for dusting
Chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted, for sprinkling

Getting Started with the Dough: The Heart of Your Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe

First things first, we need to activate our yeast. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk with a pinch of granulated sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Give it a gentle stir and then let it sit undisturbed for about 5-10 minutes. You’re looking for a foamy, bubbly surface, which tells you your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. If you don’t see any foam, your milk might have been too hot or too cold, or your yeast might be expired, and it’s best to start again. This initial step is crucial for achieving a light and airy texture in your finished pumpkin spice monkey bread.
Once your yeast is happily activated, it’s time to add the remaining wet ingredients and flavors that will make this monkey bread sing. To the yeast mixture, add the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar, the room temperature egg, the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and the wonderful pumpkin pie spice. Give everything a good whisk to combine these ingredients thoroughly. The pumpkin pie spice will immediately begin to infuse the mixture with its signature aroma, a delightful preview of what’s to come.
Now, we gradually incorporate the dry ingredients. Add the ½ teaspoon of salt and begin to add the all-purpose flour, about a cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon or using the dough hook attachment of your stand mixer on low speed. Continue adding flour until a shaggy dough forms. You might not need all 4 cups; stop when the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The exact amount of flour can vary based on humidity and how accurately you measured your other ingredients, so trust your judgment here. The dough should be soft, slightly sticky, but manageable.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes by hand, or 6-8 minutes with a stand mixer. You want to achieve a smooth, elastic dough. If it’s too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time, but try not to add too much, as that can result in a dense monkey bread. Kneading develops the gluten, which is essential for that lovely chewy texture we all love in a good bread. You’ll know it’s ready when it springs back slowly when lightly poked.
Lightly grease a large clean bowl with a little oil or non-stick spray. Place the kneaded dough into the bowl, turning it once to coat the top. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Set it in a warm, draft-free place to rise for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it has doubled in size. A slightly warm oven (turned off, of course) or near a sunny window works perfectly. This first rise is key for developing flavor and texture in your Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe!

Preparing the Pumpkin Spice Coating: The Flavorful Wrapper

While your dough is rising, it’s the perfect time to prepare the delectable pumpkin spice coating. In a shallow bowl or pie plate, combine the granulated sugar, the 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice, and the ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Whisk these together until they are thoroughly blended. This mixture will give your monkey bread its signature sweet and spicy flavor, so make sure it’s well combined. The aroma of this spice blend alone is enough to get your taste buds excited.
In a separate small bowl, melt the ¼ cup of unsalted butter. This melted butter will act as the adhesive for the sugar-spice mixture, ensuring every piece of dough is deliciously coated. Set both the sugar-spice mixture and the melted butter aside, ready for when your dough has finished its first rise.

Assembling the Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: Layer by Layer Goodness

Once your dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. You want to avoid over-working it at this stage.
Lightly grease a 10-12 cup Bundt pan with butter or non-stick spray, ensuring all the nooks and crannies are well covered. For extra assurance and easier release, you can also lightly flour the pan after greasing. If you plan to add nuts to the bottom, sprinkle them evenly in the prepared pan now.
Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, divide the dough into roughly 40-50 small, equal-sized pieces. Aim for pieces about 1 inch in diameter, or slightly larger than a golf ball. Consistency in size will help ensure even baking. This is a great step to get kids involved, too!
Take each small piece of dough and roll it lightly between your palms to form a smooth ball. Now, for the coating! Dip each dough ball into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess butter drip off.
Immediately after the butter dip, roll the buttered dough ball in the pumpkin spice sugar mixture, ensuring it’s generously coated on all sides. This sticky, sugary coating is what makes monkey bread so incredibly indulgent and is a defining characteristic of this Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe.
Arrange the coated dough balls in a single layer at the bottom of your prepared Bundt pan. Don’t pack them too tightly, as they will expand during the second rise and baking. Once the first layer is complete, continue adding more coated dough balls on top, layering them evenly, until all the dough is used up. You’ll have a beautiful mound of spicy, sweet dough balls nestled together.
Cover the Bundt pan loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise again in a warm, draft-free place for another 30-45 minutes, or until the dough balls look noticeably puffy and have grown to fill most of the pan. During this second rise, the oven can be preheating.

Baking Your Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: The Moment of Truth

While your monkey bread is undergoing its second rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position to ensure even baking.
Once the dough has risen adequately and the oven is preheated, carefully place the Bundt pan into the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the monkey bread is deeply golden brown on top and cooked through. If you notice the top browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
To check for doneness, you can insert a wooden skewer or a thin knife into the center. If it comes out clean, your monkey bread is likely done. Another good indicator is the internal temperature, which should register around 200-210°F (93-99°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Proper baking is essential for a tender, fully cooked Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread.
Once baked, remove the Bundt pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let the monkey bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This cooling period is important as it allows the caramelization to set slightly and makes it easier to invert. Don’t cool it for too long, or the caramel might stick.

Crafting the Irresistible Caramel Sauce: The Ultimate Topping

While your monkey bread is cooling in the pan, it’s the perfect time to whip up the luscious caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the ½ cup unsalted butter and ½ cup packed light brown sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
Stir constantly until the butter is completely melted and the sugar has dissolved, forming a smooth, bubbling mixture. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the ¼ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and a tiny pinch of salt. The salt helps to balance the sweetness of the caramel, enhancing its richness. Stir until the sauce is smooth and well combined. This is a quick and easy caramel that delivers incredible flavor and will elevate your Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe to a new level.

Serving and Enjoying Your Creation: The Grand Finale

After the 10-minute cooling period in the pan, place a large serving plate or platter upside down over the Bundt pan. Carefully but confidently, invert the pan onto the plate. The monkey bread should slide out easily, revealing a gorgeous, sticky, golden-brown creation. If any of the delicious caramel from the bottom of the pan stays behind, simply scrape it out with a heatproof spatula and pour it over the monkey bread.
Immediately and generously pour the warm caramel sauce over the top of the monkey bread, allowing it to drizzle down the sides and seep into all the crevices. The warmth of the monkey bread will absorb some of this amazing sauce, making every bite incredibly moist and flavorful.
If you’re feeling extra fancy and have chosen to use optional garnishes, now is the time to add them. Dust with a little powdered sugar for an elegant finish, or sprinkle with toasted chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and nutty flavor. These additions complement the pumpkin spice beautifully.
Serve your Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread warm, allowing everyone to pull apart individual pieces. It’s a communal, fun, and utterly delicious experience. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a festive dessert. Leftovers (if there are any!) can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days, though it’s truly best enjoyed fresh. To reheat, you can pop individual pieces into the microwave for a few seconds.
Take a moment to savor the incredible aroma filling your kitchen—the sweet, warm spices and rich caramel are truly a treat for the senses! Enjoy every sticky, tender, and flavorful bite of your homemade Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread. It’s a recipe sure to become a cherished tradition.

Conclusion:

Well, my friends, we’ve reached the delicious finale of our culinary journey, and I genuinely hope you’re as excited as I am about what we’ve created. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s an invitation to experience pure comfort, a warm hug in food form that promises to delight all your senses. The intoxicating aroma that fills your kitchen as this bakes is just the beginning. Imagine pulling apart those soft, gooey, spice-infused pieces, each one a testament to the simple joy of homemade goodness. It’s the ultimate cozy treat, perfect for brightening any morning, elevating a brunch, or sweetening a relaxed afternoon. What truly sets this apart is its surprisingly simple preparation that yields truly spectacular flavor rewards – proving that you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create something utterly unforgettable. I truly believe this is a recipe that will not only become a cherished part of your culinary repertoire but one you’ll be asked to make again and again, cementing its place as a household favorite.

What makes this specific creation, our beloved Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe, so incredibly special? It’s the way each individual piece of dough is lovingly coated in that fragrant spice mixture, absorbing all the glorious pumpkin spice syrup as it bakes. This magical transformation results in golden, tender perfection – a pull-apart masterpiece that’s impossible to resist. There’s an undeniable joy in gathering around, pulling apart those warm, sticky pieces, and sharing them straight from the pan, creating instant memories. This isn’t just baking; it’s crafting an experience, a moment of connection forged over shared sweetness. It truly embodies the spirit of comfort food, elevated with those irresistible autumn flavors we all adore, making it a truly exceptional treat any time of year.

Serving Suggestions & Delightful Variations:

While this monkey bread is absolutely divine on its own, still warm from the oven with that glorious cream cheese glaze cascading down its sides, there are so many wonderful ways to enjoy and customize your creation. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

For the Ultimate Breakfast or Brunch: Serve it alongside a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee, a creamy latte, or a spiced chai tea for an unparalleled morning experience. For an extra touch of decadence, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream (yes, even for breakfast!) can elevate it into a truly indulgent brunch centerpiece. Imagine it as the star alongside a platter of fresh seasonal fruits or a savory egg dish for a perfectly balanced spread.
A Decadent Dessert: Transform your monkey bread into a show-stopping dessert! A warm slice (or several lovingly pulled-apart pieces!) pairs beautifully with a generous scoop of cinnamon pecan ice cream, or perhaps a drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce. You could even warm it slightly and serve it with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a side of spiced apple compote for a sophisticated finish.
Creative Add-Ins: Don’t be afraid to experiment with texture and flavor! Before baking, try adding a handful of chopped pecans, walnuts, or even candied walnuts to the pan for an extra layer of crunch. For chocolate lovers, white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks could be folded into the dough pieces before coating them in the spice mixture. Dried cranberries or golden raisins would also provide a lovely tart counterpoint to the sweetness.
Glaze Alternatives & Embellishments: If you’re feeling extra fancy, or simply want to try something new, consider a maple-butter glaze instead of the classic cream cheese version. A simple dusting of powdered sugar offers a more understated sweetness, allowing the pumpkin spice flavors to shine even more. For an unexpected burst of flavor that truly makes the sweet and spicy notes pop, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the glaze just before serving. This small touch adds a gourmet finish that will impress everyone.

I genuinely hope you feel inspired to dive into your kitchen and give this incredible Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe a try. There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from baking something so wonderfully delicious from scratch, especially when it results in such a crowd-pleasing treat. I promise you, the effort is entirely worth the reward, and you’ll be so proud of what you create. Gather your ingredients, put on some cheerful music, and truly enjoy the process – it’s part of the magic! Once you’ve pulled that golden, aromatic masterpiece from your oven, filling your home with its irresistible scent, I would absolutely love to hear all about your experience.

Share Your Delicious Journey!

Did you try any of the variations? What was your favorite part of the process, and what did your friends and family think? Please don’t hesitate to share your photos and comments with me! Tag me on social media (without including links, of course), or simply drop a comment below. Your feedback, your personal touches, and your mouth-watering creations truly make this culinary journey so much more rewarding and inspiring for all of us. Let’s make some delicious memories together with this delightful treat! Remember, it’s more than just food; it’s a moment of joy, shared and savored, creating warmth and happiness one pull-apart piece at a time.