Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is the ultimate indulgence, combining the ease of premade dough with the rich flavors of cinnamon, sugar, and a homemade caramel sauce. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this pull-apart bread is a family favorite that’s both simple to make and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• White sugar: To coat the cinnamon rolls in extra sweetness.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds that warm, spicy flavor that everyone loves.
• Tube of cinnamon rolls with icing: I typically use Pillsbury or Grands, but any brand will do. If you get large ones, you may need to cut down. See images.
• Brown sugar & Butter: Essential for the homemade caramel sauce that makes this monkey bread irresistible.

How to make Monkey Bread with Cinnamon Rolls

Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a Bundt cake pan thoroughly to ensure the monkey bread doesn’t stick.

Prepare the Cinnamon Rolls: Cut each cinnamon roll into quarters. In a large mixing bowl, combine white sugar and ground cinnamon. Toss the mini cinnamon roll pieces in the sugar mixture until well coated.

Assemble the Monkey Bread: Layer the coated cinnamon roll pieces in the prepared Bundt pan.

Make the Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar until fully dissolved.

Pour the caramel sauce evenly over the cinnamon rolls in the pan.

Bake: Place the Bundt pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.

Cool and Invert: Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate.

Add the Icing: Warm the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls and drizzle it over the top of the monkey bread.

If you want to get creative, dye the icing with food coloring to match the occasion.

Tips for the Best Monkey Bread

• Use a Good Bundt Pan: A well-greased Bundt pan is key to ensuring your monkey bread releases easily.
• Extra Sugar, Extra Flavor: Don’t skimp on the sugar and cinnamon coating—it adds an extra layer of flavor that makes each bite delicious.
• Make It Your Own: You can customize the icing with different flavors or colors. For a festive touch, try adding sprinkles or dye the icing in seasonal colors. I like this wilton food dye.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of dough? While I love the convenience of using premade cinnamon rolls, you could experiment with other plain store-bought doughs, like biscuit dough or crescent dough, but you may need to adjust the baking time.

How do I store leftovers? Store any leftover monkey bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave for a few seconds.

Can I freeze monkey bread? Yes! Wrap the cooled monkey bread tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. It can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven before serving.

Variations to Try

• Caramel Apple Monkey Bread: Add a layer of apple pie filling before the caramel sauce for a fall-inspired treat.
• Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread: Mix a bit of pumpkin spice into the sugar coating for a seasonal twist.
• Nutty Monkey Bread: Add chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers for a crunchy texture.

More Ways to Use Cinnamon Rolls

If you’re loving easy cinnamon roll hacks, don’t stop here! These delicious recipes all start with store-bought cinnamon rolls and turn them into something special:

• Try these crockpot apple cinnamon rolls for a warm, gooey breakfast loaded with apple pie flavor.
• Upgrade your mornings with cinnamon rolls with heavy whipping cream — the viral method that makes them taste bakery fresh.
• This pumpkin cinnamon roll casserole is a cozy fall favorite with rich pumpkin spice flavor in every bite.
• Make breakfast easy with an overnight cinnamon roll casserole that’s ready to bake in the morning.