Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread delivers a mouth-watering combination of soft dough, crunchy pecans, and a heavenly caramel glaze! This easy monkey bread recipe is made super simple by using premade yeast rolls and pudding mix.
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Caramel Pecan Pull-Apart Bread is a classic monkey bread recipe blended with classic cinnamon rolls, but with a twist, as adding pecans gives a delightful crunch! This is always one of the top contenders for a holiday breakfast for Christmas or Easter because it's so easy and delicious.
Each bite of Caramel Pecan Pull-Apart Bread contains delightfully soft yeast dough and crunchy pecans, covered in a rich homemade caramel sauce. The end result is a golden brown, sticky bread, served on a beautiful serving plate that's sure to wow your guests or family members at any events or special occasions.
So, whether you're planning a cozy Christmas morning breakfast or looking for a new addition to your favorite brunch recipes, this easy pull-apart bread is sure to be a family favorite.
If you love sweet breads for breakfast or brunch, then check out my Pumpkin Pull Apart Bread, Lemon Blueberry Bread, Cranberry Orange Pull-Apart Monkey Bread, and Glazed Apple Fritter Yeast Bread!
Why We Love This Recipe
- It's the perfect comfort food for any occasion, from lazy Sunday mornings to joyful holiday gatherings around the dinner table.
- Using Rhodes frozen dinner rolls and butterscotch cook-and-serve pudding simplifies this easy recipe so anyone can make it.
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Frozen Dinner Rolls - These soft dough balls form the base for the pull-apart bread, making the recipe easy and convenient without compromising the quality. Rhodes is my favorite brand but there are other frozen dinner roll options that will work just as well.
- Butterscotch Pudding Mix - Adds a unique flavor twist to the bread, infusing it with a rich, butterscotch taste. Be sure to use the cook & serve pudding, not the instant variety.
- Light Brown Sugar - Essential for creating that delicious caramelization and depth of flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon - Offers a warm, spiced note that complements the sweetness of the caramel.
- Salted Butter - Adds richness and helps in creating a smooth caramel sauce.
- Coarsely Chopped Pecans - Provides a delightful crunch and delicious nutty flavor.
How to Make Pecan Caramel Pull-Apart Bread
- Prepare pan and add pecans. Spray a large bundt cake pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chopped pecans around the bottom of the pan.
- Place the rolls. Arrange frozen rolls on top of the pecans.
- Add seasoning. Combine cinnamon, brown sugar, and the pudding mix in a small bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar pudding mixture over the rolls.
- Add butter. Melt the ½ cup butter, and drizzle over the bread dough, distributing it as evenly as possible.
- Let dough rise. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise for 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Bake the bread. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap and loosely tent the rolls with foil. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The foil can be removed during the last few minutes of baking if desired.
- Remove from pan. Slide a knife around the edges of the bundt pan to loosen the rolls, then top the pan with a large serving plate. Use hot pads to carefully and quickly invert the rolls so they slide out onto your serving plate. The caramel pecan mixture should ooze out down the sides of the rolls. Serve warm and pull apart into individual portions.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can replace the frozen rolls with homemade yeast dough. Ensure it's divided into small balls similar in size to the frozen rolls for consistent baking.
Yes, simply use dairy-free butter instead of regular butter. The texture and flavor might differ slightly from the original recipe though.
This recipe technically is a make-ahead recipe as after assembling the bread, you must let it rise for 6-8 hours or overnight. In the morning you simply have to bake it, making this a convenient option for breakfast or brunch.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. The Pull-Apart Bread should keep well for 3-4 days.
Freeze the pull-apart bread for up to a month by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil and storing in the freezer. To serve, thaw it at room temperature and then reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes for the best flavor and texture.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh, crunchy pecans for the best texture and flavor. Stale nuts can negatively impact the overall taste of the bread.
- The key to soft, fluffy pull-apart bread is allowing the dough to rise adequately, so ensure it has enough time to double in size, which can take 6-8 hours or overnight in a warm place without drafts.
- When adding the butterscotch pudding mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter, strive for even distribution to make sure each bite is full of flavor.
- Feel free to add your personal touch to the recipe, like a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or a handful of chocolate chips, as this can make the recipe even more special and tailored to your taste.
- When transferring the bread from the bundt pan to the serving plate, be quick and careful, using hot pads, and making sure the plate is centered over the pan before inverting.
Baking Tips
Ovens can vary, so it's crucial to check the bread for doneness.
It should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
Overbaking can lead to dryness, so to prevent the top from burning or getting too hard, tent the bread with foil during the first part of baking.
You can remove the foil towards the end to achieve a perfect golden color.
Substitutions and Variations
- Consider using other types of nuts like walnuts or almonds, or even a mix of your favorite nuts for a different flavor and texture.
- For a different flavor profile, pumpkin pie spice can replace the cinnamon.
- If you're out of butterscotch pudding, vanilla or caramel pudding mix would work well in this recipe.
- You can use any brand of frozen rolls, or substitute them for homemade yeast dough.
- Unsalted butter with a pinch of salt can be used in place of salted butter.
More Dessert Bread Recipes You’ll Love
- Carrot Bread
- Moist Coconut Bread
- Nutella Swirl Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread
- Cranberry Orange Bread
- Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Easy Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 18-20 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls
- 1 (3-ounce) package butterscotch cook & serve pudding (not instant)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Spray a large bundt cake pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chopped pecans around the bottom of the pan.
- Arrange frozen rolls on top of the pecans.
- Combine cinnamon, brown sugar, and the pudding mix in a small bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar pudding mixture over the rolls. Melt the ½ cup butter, and drizzle over the bread dough, distributing it as evenly as possible. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise for 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap and loosely tent the rolls with foil. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The foil can be removed during the last few minutes of baking if desired.
- Slide a knife around the edges of the bundt pan to loosen the rolls, then top the pan with a large serving plate. Use hot pads to carefully and quickly invert the rolls so they slide out onto your serving plate. The caramel pecan mixture should ooze out down the sides of the rolls. Serve warm and pull apart into individual portions.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble the bread and let it rise for 6-8 hours or overnight. Bake when you are ready to have it.
- Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. The Pull-Apart Bread should keep well for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the pull-apart bread for up to a month by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil and storing in the freezer. To serve, thaw it at room temperature and then reheat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes for the best flavor and texture.
Looks good.