Homemade Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread

Imagine pulling apart warm, caramel-coated pieces of bread, savoring the sticky sweetness and nutty crunch with every bite. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you make our Homemade Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread!

This monkey bread features fluffy buttermilk biscuits coated in a sweet, gooey caramel sauce and sprinkled with crunchy pecans. Baked to a beautiful golden brown in under an hour, it’s an irresistible treat that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch and can even double as a mouthwatering dessert!

Perfect Pecan Monkey Bread That Will Have You Coming Back for More

Monkey bread was one of the first recipes we ever learned to make because it’s so easy! In fact, it’s taught in many school classrooms because of its simplicity and the fact that it’s scrumptious and fun to make. 

In fact, it’s still one of our favorite recipes and is a staple at any brunch. So, naturally, we had to give the classic recipe a Food Dolls upgrade! 

Even better than the original, this caramel pecan monkey bread: 

• Is coated with sweet, sticky caramel sauce. 
• Loaded with crunchy pecans. 
• Uses just seven ingredients. 
• Is ready in under an hour from start to finish. 

What Is Monkey Bread? 

Monkey bread is a popular American treat that is made out of stacked layers of pastry dough (often biscuit dough) that are slathered in butter and coated with a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. Baked in the oven until it’s soft and fluffy, it’s served as a type of pull-apart treat for breakfasts and brunches, often during the holidays. 

Origins of Monkey Bread

Although considered an American recipe, the origins of monkey bread can be traced back to the 1880s in Hungary where it was known as aranygaluska, or golden dumpling. It is said that the recipe was brought to America by Hungarian immigrants. 

It was then introduced to the general population and popularized by First Lady Nancy Raegan when she served it as part of the White House Christmas celebrations. The dish is referred to by many different names such as Hungarian coffee cake, Christmas delights, and sticky bread. 

No matter what it’s called, it remains a popular dessert and is still a tradition in many homes, including our own, today! 

Why Do You Call Monkey Bread Monkey Bread? 

Monkey bread gets its name because of how it’s eaten. The dough is broken into pieces which are layered on top of each other, and baked. 

Then, to eat the treat, people typically use their fingers to pluck off the sticky pieces of dough. As a result, the appearance is similar to grooming monkeys. It might sound weird, but it’s true! 

What Does Monkey Bread Taste Like? 

Regular monkey bread is sweet and buttery. Think fluffy buttermilk biscuits tossed with a sugary syrup. 

However, this caramel pecan monkey bread elevates the taste even more with rich, nutty notes of caramel and crunchy pecans! 

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this simple caramel pecan monkey bread recipe, we used basic homemade monkey bread ingredients and a homemade caramel sauce! Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Biscuits – Non-flaky buttermilk biscuits work best. We use store-bought, premade biscuit dough to save time, but you could also make your own homemade biscuits! 
• Unsalted Butter – This forms the base of the caramel sauce and coats the biscuits for a tender, rich taste. 
• Heavy Cream – Full-fat heavy cream creates the most decadent monkey bread ever. 
• Sugar and Cinnamon – These combine for a sweet coating you’ll adore. 
• Pecans – These add a nutty flavor and crispy, crunchy bite. 

How to Make Homemade Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread 

One of the best things about monkey bread is how easy it is to make. With just a few steps, you’ll be done and ready to eat in less than an hour! 

1. Coat the Biscuits. Add the sugar and cinnamon to a large bag or bowl. Add the quartered biscuits, and shake or stir to coat them with the mixture. 
2. Create the Caramel. Heat the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, stir to combine the ingredients until they resemble an amber-colored caramel sauce. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the pecans. 
3. Layer. Pour part of the caramel into the bottom of a bundt pan. Arrange part of the biscuits on top, and repeat, ending with a layer of caramel sauce. 
4. Bake. Transfer the bundt pan to a preheated oven, and bake until the dough is fluffing and the top is golden brown. 
5. Serve. Set the pan aside to cool slightly. Then, invert the caramel pecan monkey bread onto a plate, and enjoy warm! 

Tips for Success

1. Separate the Dough. The dough pieces may begin to cling together while they’re being tossed in the sugar mixture. Use your fingers to pull them apart, and continue to mix until every piece is fully coated. 
2. Prevent Browning. If the top of your monkey bread is browning too fast in the oven, cover it lightly with tin foil, and continue to bake. 
3. Avoid Spilling. The caramel sauce tends to bubble and boil over the pan. So, to avoid making a mess in your oven, place a baking sheet under the pan to catch any spillover. 

Flavor Variations 

Feeling creative? Experiment with different mix-ins and ingredients to make the flavor your own. Some of our favorite ways to switch things up include: 

• Swapping out the pecans with cashews, walnuts, or almonds. 
• Including spices like nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice with the cinnamon sugar mixture. 
• Sprinkling in dried fruit such as dried raisins or cranberries. 
• Adding chocolate chips in with the nuts. 

Make Ahead and Storage Options

When the warm aroma of this homemade caramel pecan monkey bread fills your home, it’s pretty hard to keep everyone from eating it all at once. However, if you can get it to last, it can be stored for several days! 

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap. 
• Store it at room temperature for two to three days. 
• Freeze your pecan monkey bread for up to three months! 
• Thaw it on the counter, and warm it in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit just until it is heated through. 
• Don’t store your monkey bread in the fridge! The cold temperatures will cause the bread to dry out and become stale. 

Common Questions About This Homemade Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread Recipe

More Sweet Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

Looking for more recipes that can do double duty as breakfast and dessert? Try out some of our other mouthwatering favorites below! 

• S’mores Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread 
• Caramel Macchiato Cinnamon Rolls
• Chocolate French Toast
• Pecan Pie French Toast