🍎 Caramel Apple Monkey Bread (Soft, Sticky & Perfect for Fall!)

Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

Caramel Apple Monkey Bread is the ultimate cozy baking project—soft pull‑apart bread layered with cinnamon‑sugar apples and finished with a warm salted caramel drizzle. It smells like cinnamon rolls and apple pie had a delicious, buttery baby. This recipe uses a homemade dough that’s incredibly versatile, making enough for two loaves so you can bake one sweet batch and save the other for something savory. Whether you’re hosting brunch, prepping a holiday dessert, or just craving something warm and comforting, this monkey bread is guaranteed to impress.

⭐ Ingredients

Oven: 350°F
Pan: Greased bundt pan

Dough

• 2 cups warm liquid (100°F–110°F) — milk or water (milk adds more flavor)

• ¼ cup sugar

• 2½ tsp salt

• 2 tbsp active dry yeast (traditional yeast also works)

• ¼ cup liquid fat (oil, melted salted butter, or melted margarine for a vegan option)

• 5–7 cups all‑purpose flour

Apple Filling

• 1–1½ cups peeled, diced apples

• ⅔ cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• ½ cup melted salted butter

🥣 Instructions

1. Make the Dough

1. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the warm liquid, yeast, and half the sugar. Let bloom for 3–5 minutes (8–10 minutes if using traditional yeast).

2. Add the remaining sugar, salt, and fat. Stir gently.

3. Add 4 cups of flour and mix. Add more flour as needed until the dough is soft, slightly sticky, and pulls away from the bowl.

4. Knead for 10 minutes (stand mixer or by hand).

5. Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size—about 1 hour in a warm, draft‑free spot.

2. Prepare the Apple Filling

Mix the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl. Set aside.

3. Divide the Dough

Once risen, punch down the dough. This recipe makes enough for two loaves.
Use half for the monkey bread and save the other half for bread, buns, pizza crust, or a savory bake.

4. Assemble the Monkey Bread

1. Generously grease your bundt pan—every nook and cranny.

2. Add ¼ of the apple mixture to the bottom of the pan.

3. Divide the dough half into three equal portions.

4. Cut each portion into small pieces and roll into ½‑inch dough balls.

5. Layer:

• ⅓ of the dough balls

• A layer of apples

• Repeat until all dough and apples are used

5. Final Rise

Cover the assembled monkey bread and let rise for 45 minutes in the oven with the light on (no heat).

6. Bake

Bake at 350°F for 40–50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and your kitchen smells like heaven.

7. Cool & Finish

1. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then flip onto a plate.

2. Let cool another 15 minutes before drizzling with salted caramel sauce.
   (Or drizzle immediately and enjoy the melty caramel—no judgment.)

🍏 Tips for Perfect Monkey Bread

• Use tart apples for the best flavor balance.

• Grease the bundt pan extremely well—caramelized sugar sticks.

• Serve warm with extra caramel for dipping.

Caramel Apple Monkey Bread