There is nothing quite like the warm, cozy feeling of a freshly baked Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas. This pull-apart bread combines tender biscuit dough coated in fragrant pumpkin pie spice and sweet brown sugar, layered generously with rich pumpkin puree and butter. It’s the ultimate comfort treat for fall mornings or dessert time, inviting everyone to gather around and share in the simple joy of breaking apart soft, sticky bites bursting with autumn flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe plays a crucial role, from creating that tender, gooey texture to infusing the perfect blend of fall spices and sweetness. This list is simple but essential, bringing together familiar pantry staples with the star ingredient—pumpkin—for a beautifully balanced dessert.
- 2 (16 oz) cans refrigerated biscuit dough: The base that bakes into fluffy, pillowy bites perfect for pulling apart.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the spice mix coat the dough evenly.
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice: Brings the signature fall flavor with a warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- ½ cup canned pumpkin purée: Infuses moisture, color, and that unmistakable pumpkin essence.
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed: Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spices.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted: Creates richness and helps bind the sugar-spice mixture to the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a subtle, fragrant note.
- Optional glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tablespoons milk, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a sweet, creamy finish when drizzled over warm monkey bread.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Spice Mix
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, generously grease a bundt pan with butter or a nonstick spray to make sure the monkey bread releases easily after baking. In a large zip-top bag or bowl, combine the granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice, stirring to blend the warm spices evenly throughout the sugar for a beautifully aromatic coating.
Step 2: Coat the Biscuit Dough
Cut each biscuit into quarters for perfectly sized bite pieces. Toss these biscuit pieces into your spiced sugar mixture, making sure every piece is fully coated. This flavorful coating helps each piece caramelize beautifully during baking, creating those irresistible sticky edges we love in monkey bread.
Step 3: Mix the Pumpkin Glaze
In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. This luscious mixture will drizzle over the biscuit pieces, adding moisture and a rich, pumpkin-infused sweetness that sets this monkey bread apart from any other.
Step 4: Layer and Drizzle
Begin by placing half of the coated biscuit pieces into the prepared bundt pan. Pour half of the pumpkin mixture evenly over the dough layer. Then repeat, adding the remaining biscuit pieces and topping with the rest of the pumpkin glaze. This layering technique ensures every bite is packed with flavor and that signature sticky texture.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your monkey bread for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through. The smell wafting through your kitchen at this point will be downright irresistible! When it’s done, allow it to rest in the pan for 10 minutes—this lets the flavors set and the bread cool just enough to flip out easily.
Step 6: Optional Glaze Finishing Touch
For a luscious finishing touch, whisk powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons milk and a splash of vanilla until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the warm monkey bread, letting it melt slightly into every crevice for an extra sweet, creamy finish that’s impossible to resist.
How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your presentation with a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and a touch of rustic flair. A dusting of cinnamon sugar or a light drizzle of maple syrup can also enhance the warmth of the pumpkin spice, making each bite even more indulgent.
Side Dishes
This Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or spiced chai tea. For brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness and add vibrant color and texture to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this monkey bread in individual ramekins for a fun, personal twist or as part of a holiday buffet where guests can pull apart their own pieces. You can also layer it with cream cheese or mascarpone for a decadent breakfast treat that feels extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pumpkin spice monkey bread tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps it soft and prevents it from drying out, so every bite remains just as delicious the next day.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the fully baked monkey bread in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Make sure it’s completely cooled before freezing to maintain texture and flavor when reheated.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds, or warm the entire loaf in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Reheating restores the gooey, tender nature of this Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use homemade biscuit dough instead of canned?
Absolutely! Homemade biscuit dough works just as well and can add a fresh, personalized touch to your Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe. Just be sure your dough isn’t too sticky and can be cut into bite-sized pieces easily.
Is it necessary to use pumpkin pie spice?
While pumpkin pie spice gives this bread its characteristic flavor, you can make your own blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves if you don’t have it on hand. It’s all about those cozy, warm spices that make the recipe shine.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Yes! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even dried cranberries make delightful additions that add texture and complement the pumpkin flavors perfectly. Just sprinkle them between layers as you assemble the monkey bread.
What’s the best way to serve monkey bread for a crowd?
This pull-apart bread is naturally shareable and great for gatherings. Place it in the center of the table with plenty of napkins and let guests dig in with their hands. You can even prepare mini versions in muffin tins for easy individual portions.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can make this recipe vegan by substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative and ensuring your biscuit dough is dairy-free. The pumpkin spice and sugar coating will remain just as delicious with these tweaks!
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the way this Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe brings warmth and sweetness together in every bite. Whether you’re serving it for a festive brunch or an indulgent fall dessert, it’s a crowd-pleaser that invites smiles and cozy moments. Give it a try—you’ll quickly see why it has become one of my all-time favorite seasonal treats to share with friends and family.
Print
Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10–12 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is a delightful fall-inspired pull-apart bread that combines soft, buttery biscuit dough coated in a spiced sugar mix and layered with a rich pumpkin glaze. Perfect as a cozy breakfast treat or a festive dessert, it offers the warm flavors of pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin purée baked to golden perfection and drizzled with an optional sweet vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
Biscuit Dough:
- 2 (16 oz) cans refrigerated biscuit dough (or 1 batch homemade biscuit dough)
Sugar & Spice Coating:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
Pumpkin Mixture:
- ½ cup canned pumpkin purée
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a bundt pan with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy release of the monkey bread.
- Coat Biscuit Dough: In a large zip-top bag or bowl, combine the granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Cut the biscuit dough into quarters, then toss the dough pieces in the spiced sugar mixture until they are fully coated. This gives the bread its signature sweet, spicy flavor.
- Prepare Pumpkin Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the canned pumpkin purée, packed brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. This mixture adds moistness and rich pumpkin flavor to the bread.
- Layer Dough and Pumpkin Mixture: Start by layering half of the coated biscuit pieces evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Drizzle half of the pumpkin mixture over the first layer to infuse flavor and moisture. Repeat by layering the remaining biscuit pieces and the rest of the pumpkin mixture on top.
- Bake: Place the bundt pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cooked through in the center. The baking time ensures the dough is fully cooked while maintaining a soft interior.
- Cool and Release: Allow the monkey bread to rest in the pan for about 10 minutes after baking. This resting period helps the layers set slightly. Then carefully invert the pan onto a serving plate to release the monkey bread intact.
- Prepare Optional Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm monkey bread before serving for an added touch of sweetness and shine.
Notes
- Best served warm, pulled apart by hand for that classic monkey bread experience.
- For added texture and nutty flavor, consider sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers before baking.
- Store any leftovers tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
