Name: Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 tablespoons butter for greasing; 2 16 oz. packages refrigerated biscuit dough (Pillsbury Grand's Buttermilk Biscuits, not flaky layers); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon cardamom; 1 cup chopped pecans; 16 tablespoons unsalted butter (or salted, omit additional salt); 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

There’s something incredibly comforting about pull-apart bread coated in warm cinnamon sugar, right? This Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe is exactly that—a sweet, gooey, and delightfully sticky treat that’s surprisingly simple to whip up. It’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime you need a bit of cozy indulgence.

A white plate holds a ring of sticky monkey bread made of many small, soft dough balls stuck together, coated in shiny brown cinnamon glaze. The top of the bread is covered with scattered chopped pecans, adding a crunchy texture. One dough ball is pulled away, showing the soft, light inside and the gooey glaze holding the pieces together. Extra chopped pecans are scattered around the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I love this recipe because it nails that perfect balance between fuss-free and showstopper-worthy. Monkey bread gets everyone’s attention, and this version? It’s easy enough for a weekday treat but special enough for weekend brunch.

Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already, so no last-minute grocery runs required.
Quick Assembly: Cutting and coating the biscuit pieces is so straightforward, even my busiest days welcome this recipe.
Flavor Explosion: The cinnamon, cardamom, and brown sugar caramel blend creates an irresistible aroma and taste.
Fun to Share: It’s perfect for sharing around the table, making every bite feel like a warm hug.

A round bundt cake with a rich brown color, covered in a shiny dark caramel glaze that coats the top and drips down the sides. The surface is sprinkled generously with chopped pecans, adding a textured layer of light and dark brown pieces. The cake sits on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface, emphasizing the warm tones of the cake and the nuts. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s break down the ingredients that come together to create this sticky, sweet delight. Each one plays a key role, so understanding them helps you get the best results and even customize to your liking.

Flat lay of two stacks of fluffy buttermilk biscuit dough rounds, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cardamom, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped pecans, a few tablespoons of unsalted butter pieces, a small white ceramic bowl of packed light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: Using Pillsbury Grand’s Buttermilk Biscuits (not flaky layers!) gives you fluffy, perfect bite-sized pieces that hold together well.
Granulated Sugar & Ground Cinnamon: This classic combo coats the dough balls in that irresistible cinnamon-sugar goodness.
Cardamom: Just a pinch adds complexity and warmth, elevating the flavor beyond regular cinnamon sugar.
Pecans: Optional but recommended—adding crunch and a lovely nutty flavor between layers.
Butter & Brown Sugar: Melted together, they form the luscious caramel sauce that soaks through the bread.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies all those cozy flavors.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a smooth, aromatic finish that ties the whole flavor profile together beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe—sometimes I throw in chocolate chips for extra indulgence, or swap pecans for walnuts if that’s what’s on hand. Feel free to make it your own and tailor the sweetness or spice level how you like.

Variation: One time, I sprinkled some freshly grated orange zest on top before baking, which gave the bread a bright, fresh twist that my family adored.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe

Step 1: Grease Your Pan Thoroughly

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then grab your trusty 12-cup Bundt pan and give it a generous coating with softened butter. I usually use a pastry brush, but if you don’t have one, a crumpled piece of parchment paper works wonders too. Covering every nook ensures your gooey caramel won’t stick and will release perfectly later. Don’t forget to sprinkle about half a cup of pecans on the bottom for that delightful crunch beneath your bread.

Step 2: Prep & Coat the Biscuit Dough

Grab your biscuit dough packages and cut each biscuit into four quarters—using a pizza cutter helps me do this quickly and evenly. Rolling each quarter into a small ball is optional but gives the bread a fluffier, more rounded look. Toss about a dozen dough balls into a plastic bag filled with your cinnamon, sugar, and cardamom mixture, then shake it up until they’re evenly coated. Repeat until all the dough is beautifully dusted.

Step 3: Layer It Up

Start layering your coated dough balls in the Bundt pan, sprinkling chopped pecans between layers for that added nutty goodness. A little trick: offset the dough balls so they’re not stacked directly on top of each other—this helps the heat circulate for an even bake and ensures each piece gets juicily caramelized.

Step 4: Make Your Caramel Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine half a cup of your leftover cinnamon-sugar mix, the brown sugar, butter, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until everything melts and just comes to a boil. As soon as it boils, take it off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. This quick caramel sauce is what brings the magic—rich, buttery, and perfectly spiced.

Step 5: Drizzle & Bake

Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the dough balls, giving the pan a little shake and tilt now and then. This ensures the sauce trickles down and seeps into every crevice. Pop it in the oven center rack at 350°F, and bake for 30-35 minutes. The bread is done when an instant-read thermometer poked into the center reads between 190°F and 200°F—this means all those bits are cooked through but still tender and moist.

Step 6: Cool, Invert, and Enjoy

Give the monkey bread about 10 minutes to cool in the pan. Then, place a large plate over your Bundt pan and invert it carefully. If any caramel sauce is left behind at the bottom, grab a pastry brush or spoon and glaze it over the top for that sticky finish. Serve warm and watch it disappear fast!

Top Tip

I’ve made this Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe dozens of times now, and a few little tricks really make a difference that I’m excited to share with you. These tips help ensure your bread is gooey, not soggy, and perfectly caramelized every single time.

Don’t skip greasing the pan well: This is key because the caramel can stick to every little ridge of the Bundt pan if not well buttered, making it hard to release.
Use the right biscuit dough: Those flaky layers biscuits fall apart too easily, so stick with the fluffy-style for the best texture.
Shake off excess cinnamon sugar: Too much coating can burn during baking or make the bread clump too much; just get a nice even layer.
Test with a thermometer: This helped me avoid under or overbaking, keeping the bread soft but fully cooked.

How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe

cinnamon monkey bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I like to keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving or a little drizzle of cream cheese glaze for an extra indulgent touch. This keeps it pretty and adds just a hint of buttery sweetness that partners beautifully with the cinnamon flavors.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this monkey bread with fresh fruit—think sliced strawberries or juicy melon—to balance that richness. A cup of strong coffee or cinnamon-spiced tea also rounds out this comforting combo perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For weekend brunch parties, I’ve tried stacking smaller monkey breads in mini Bundt pans for individual servings—guests find it fun to have their own sticky gift to unwrap. You can also add edible flowers or fresh mint leaves around the serving platter for a festive look.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The texture stays soft and the caramel flavor develops even more, so it’s still delicious the next day.

Freezing

I’ve frozen monkey bread before by wrapping the cooled and sliced portions tightly in plastic wrap and then placing in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven. It reheats beautifully without losing its signature gooeyness.

Reheating

To keep that fresh-from-the-oven texture, I reheat slices in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes, loosely covered with foil to avoid over-browning. You can also pop them in the microwave for 15–20 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but the oven method preserves the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe gluten-free?

While this recipe typically uses refrigerated biscuit dough that contains gluten, you can try substituting with a gluten-free biscuit dough alternative—but results may vary in texture and rise. If you try this, keep an eye on baking time and dough consistency.

Why shouldn’t I use flaky layer biscuits?

Flaky layer biscuits don’t hold together well when coated and layered, often falling apart during baking. The fluffy-style biscuits maintain their structure, resulting in the perfect pull-apart texture.

Can I prepare the monkey bread ahead of time and bake later?

Absolutely! You can assemble the coated biscuit dough balls in your Bundt pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. When ready, just pour the caramel sauce on and bake as directed.

What’s the best way to prevent the caramel from sticking?

Thoroughly greasing the Bundt pan, especially getting into all the pan’s crevices, is essential. Using softened butter and a pastry brush or parchment paper helps prevent sticking and ensures a beautiful release.

Final Thoughts

Sharing this Easy Cinnamon Monkey Bread Recipe feels like passing along a little slice of comfort and joy. It’s one of those recipes that brings people together, whether it’s breakfast with family or an after-dinner treat. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and I’m confident it’ll become a beloved staple in your kitchen, too.