Easy Salted Caramel Monkey Bread Recipe (55 min)

Imagine warm, pull-apart dough balls covered in cinnamon sugar. Now add buttery caramel dripping down the sides. Top it off with flaky sea salt.

That’s what we’re making today.

And trust me—this is about to become your go-to weekend breakfast.

How I Discovered This Recipe

I’ll be real with you.

This recipe was born out of pure chaos.

You know those mornings? When you’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off? When you’ve got a million things happening at once?

That was me. 7 AM. Standing in my pajamas. Staring blankly into my pantry.

I’d promised the kids something special for breakfast. But my brain? Completely blank.

Then I saw it. A tube of refrigerated biscuits shoved behind the milk. And next to it—a jar of caramel sauce I’d totally forgotten about.

Lightbulb moment.

Here’s what I love about this recipe. It looks fancy. Like something you’d pay $8 a slice for at some trendy bakery.

But the secret?

It’s stupid easy.

You’re basically using:

  • Store-bought biscuit dough
  • Basic pantry staples
  • 15 minutes of actual work

The oven does the rest.

The First Time I Made It

My daughter wandered into the kitchen halfway through baking. She stopped. Sniffed the air. And said—I kid you not—”It smells like happiness and sugar.”

She nailed it.

The whole house smelled like cinnamon and caramelizing brown sugar. Every single corner. It was intoxicating.

When I flipped it onto the serving plate, she actually gasped.

The caramel cascaded down the sides. Those sea salt flakes sparkled on top like little crystals. We couldn’t even wait for it to cool properly. We just grabbed forks and started pulling apart those gooey pieces.

Still warm. Still perfect.

salted caramel monkey bread

What Makes This Version Special

Regular monkey bread? Delicious.

But this salted caramel version? Next level.

The salt changes everything. It balances out all that sweetness. Creates this addictive sweet-salty contrast that keeps your hand reaching for more.

Just one more piece.

Then another.

Then… oops, half of it’s gone.

I’ve served this at brunches, holiday gatherings, lazy Sunday mornings. Every. Single. Time. It vanishes within minutes.

People always ask for the recipe. Then their faces when I tell them how easy it is? Priceless.

The best part?

You can have this prepped and in the oven faster than brewing a pot of coffee.

No complicated techniques. No fancy equipment. No culinary degree required.

Just simple ingredients doing their thing.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself (no judgment here), this monkey bread delivers. It’s comfort food with that restaurant-quality look that makes you feel like a total kitchen boss.

Ready to make your house smell incredible?

Let’s get into it.


What You’ll Need

Recipe Quick Facts

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 10-12 people
Difficulty Level: Easy (seriously)

Your Shopping List

IngredientHow MuchImportant Notes
White sugar3/4 cupFor that cinnamon-sugar coating
Ground cinnamon2 tspFresh is better, but any works
Unsalted butter1/2 cup (1 stick)Melted; salted butter works too
Brown sugar3/4 cupLight or dark—your call
Refrigerated biscuits2 cans (16.3 oz)8-count each; any brand
Prepared caramel sauce1 cupJarred is fine, homemade is fancy
Sea saltTo tasteGet the flaky kind for garnish
salted caramel monkey bread

Let’s Make This Thing

Step 1: Get That Pan Ready

First things first. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Now listen closely.

Grease your Bundt pan with cooking spray. But don’t just give it a quick spritz. I mean really grease it. Every ridge. Every corner. Every little surface.

Then do it again.

I’m serious about this.

Why? Because I learned the hard way. My first monkey bread? Stuck like cement. I had to practically chisel it out of the pan. Not pretty.

So trust me on the double-spray thing.

Step 2: Mix Up That Cinnamon Sugar

Grab a small bowl. Dump in your white sugar and cinnamon. Whisk them together until the cinnamon spreads evenly through the sugar.

You’ll see it turn this lovely tan color.

Set it aside. You’ll need it in a minute.

Step 3: Cut Those Biscuits

Pop open your biscuit cans. Separate each biscuit.

Now grab a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Cut each biscuit into four equal pieces. This gives you nice bite-sized chunks that cook evenly.

Here comes the fun part.

Take each biscuit quarter. Toss it in your cinnamon-sugar mixture. Make sure it’s completely coated. I usually use a spoon to help. But honestly? Hands work great if you don’t mind getting messy.

salted caramel monkey bread

As you coat each piece, drop it straight into your Bundt pan.

Don’t stress about arranging them perfectly. They’ll figure themselves out during baking.

Keep going until all the biscuit pieces are coated and snug in the pan.

Got leftover cinnamon sugar? Sprinkle it right over the top.

Step 4: Make the Magic Sauce

Grab a medium bowl. Add your melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk them together. Really get in there.

The mixture should look smooth and slightly thick.

This is what creates that gorgeous caramel-like sauce that seeps between all the dough pieces. The stuff that makes this bread so ridiculously good.

Pour this mixture over your biscuits. Try to spread it evenly, but don’t overthink it. It’ll naturally settle and spread while baking.

Step 5: Into the Oven

Slide that pan into your preheated oven.

Set a timer for 40 minutes.

But here’s a pro move—start checking around the 35-minute mark.

What are you looking for?

A golden-brown top. Visible bubbling around the edges. Biscuits that look cooked through and definitely not doughy.

salted caramel monkey bread

Step 6: The Flip (Most Important Part)

Your monkey bread is done. You’ve pulled it from the oven.

Now breathe.

Let it rest in the pan for 5-10 minutes. This cooling time is crucial. Skip it and your bread might stick or fall apart. And we didn’t come this far to mess it up now.

After those minutes are up, grab a large serving platter. Place it over the top of your Bundt pan.

Put on your oven mitts. Hold both the pan and platter firmly together.

Then—in one confident motion—flip the whole thing over.

Pause for a second. Then gently lift the pan away.

Did a few pieces stick? No worries. Just place them back where they belong. It’ll still look beautiful. I promise.

Step 7: The Finishing Touch

Your monkey bread is warm and gorgeous on that platter.

Now grab that caramel sauce. Drizzle it all over the top. Watch it cascade down those ridges. Watch it pool around the base.

Finally—and this is what takes it from good to incredible—sprinkle those sea salt flakes generously over everything.

Those little crystals of salt? They’re the whole point.


My Best Tips (Learned the Hard Way)

About that pan greasing:

Don’t skip the double-spray. I learned this after my first attempt looked like a crime scene. The monkey bread stuck so badly I nearly threw the whole pan away.

Cold biscuits are harder to cut:

If your biscuits came straight from the fridge, let them sit out for 5 minutes first. Makes cutting them way easier. Your hands will thank you.

Serve it warm:

This is when the monkey bread is at its gooey peak. Making it ahead? Just reheat gently before serving.

Want to go full decadent?

Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The cold cream against the warm bread? Phenomenal. Life-changing, even.


Serving This Bad Boy

When to Serve It

This monkey bread is best straight from the oven. The texture? Soft, gooey, perfectly pull-apart.

Gather everyone around. Let them tear off pieces with their hands.

That’s the whole charm of monkey bread.

Got leftovers? (Honestly, rare in my house, but it happens.)

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep for about two days. To refresh them, pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Perfect Occasions for This

This recipe works great for:

  • Holiday breakfasts
  • Brunch gatherings
  • Lazy Sunday mornings
  • Potlucks (it’s always the first thing to disappear)

The sweet-salty combo appeals to literally everyone. And the pull-apart style makes it naturally shareable.

What to Serve with It

Pair it with hot coffee, cold milk, or fresh orange juice.

Want a more complete brunch? Serve it alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.


Your Questions Answered

Can I make this the night before?

Yes! Prep the coated biscuits in the pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, let the pan sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Then add the brown sugar mixture and bake as directed.

You might need to add 5 extra minutes to the baking time.

What if I don’t have a Bundt pan?

A tube pan works perfectly. You can also use a 9×13-inch baking dish. Though the presentation won’t be as dramatic.

Fair warning—the baking time might be slightly shorter in a baking dish. Start checking at 35 minutes.

Can I use homemade caramel sauce instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade caramel works beautifully. It adds an extra special touch.

Just make sure it’s cooled slightly before drizzling. Otherwise it might melt away.

My monkey bread stuck to the pan. What went wrong?

This usually happens when the pan wasn’t greased enough.

Make sure to spray every surface generously. All the ridges. All the corners. Everything.

Also—don’t skip that 5-10 minute resting time before flipping. This lets the sugars set slightly. Makes release way easier.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Yes! Chopped pecans or walnuts are amazing additions. Sprinkle them between the biscuit layers before adding the brown sugar mixture.

You can also add chocolate chips for a different flavor. Go wild.


Final Thoughts

This salted caramel monkey bread proves something important.

Impressive doesn’t have to mean complicated.

With minimal effort and simple ingredients, you’re creating something that looks bakery-worthy. Something that tastes absolutely divine.

The sweet cinnamon. The rich caramel. The savory salt.

It all comes together into this flavor experience that’s genuinely addictive.

So grab those ingredients. Preheat that oven. Get ready to make something that’ll have your whole house smelling amazing.

You’re about to earn some serious praise from whoever you’re feeding.

Happy baking!


Nutrition Breakdown (Per Serving)

NutrientAmount
Calories285
Carbohydrates45g
Fat11g
Protein3g
Sugar28g
Sodium380mg

Note: These are estimates. Actual values may vary based on specific brands used.

Salted Caramel Monkey Bread

Salted Caramel Monkey Bread

Pull-apart dough balls covered in cinnamon sugar with buttery caramel and flaky sea salt. This easy weekend breakfast uses refrigerated biscuits and simple pantry staples for an impressive bakery-worthy treat.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Dough

  • 2 cans refrigerated biscuits 16.3 oz each, 8-count

Caramel Sauce

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar light or dark

Topping

  • 1 cup prepared caramel sauce for drizzling
  • flaky sea salt to taste, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease a Bundt pan with cooking spray, making sure to coat every ridge and corner. Spray twice for best results.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together white sugar and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. Set aside.
  • Open biscuit cans and separate each biscuit. Cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors.
  • Toss each biscuit piece in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until completely coated. Place coated pieces into the greased Bundt pan. Sprinkle any leftover cinnamon sugar over the top.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and slightly thick.
  • Pour the butter-brown sugar mixture evenly over the biscuit pieces in the pan.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes, checking at 35 minutes. The monkey bread is done when the top is golden brown, edges are bubbling, and biscuits are cooked through.
  • Remove from oven and let rest in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Place a large serving platter over the Bundt pan, then carefully flip both together. Gently lift the pan away.
  • Drizzle prepared caramel sauce generously over the warm monkey bread. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top. Serve warm and pull apart with hands.

Notes

Make Ahead: Prep the coated biscuits in the pan, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, add brown sugar mixture, and bake (may need 5 extra minutes).
Pan Alternatives: A tube pan works perfectly. A 9×13-inch baking dish also works but baking time may be 5 minutes shorter.
Mix-ins: Add chopped pecans or walnuts between layers, or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Serving Suggestion: Serve with vanilla ice cream, hot coffee, scrambled eggs, or fresh fruit for a complete brunch.
Keyword cinnamon sugar, monkey bread, pull-apart bread, salted caramel

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