Apple Fritter Monkey Bread

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a sweet, gooey, pull-apart pastry made with chunks of dough coated in cinnamon sugar and layered with caramelized apples. Baked until golden and glazed with a sticky apple-cinnamon sauce, it’s a delightful twist on two beloved treats: monkey bread and apple fritters.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe combines the comfort of warm cinnamon bread with the juicy sweetness of apples and a sticky caramel glaze. It’s easy to make with refrigerated biscuit dough, perfect for serving at breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Every bite bursts with buttery, spiced flavor, making it a hit for both kids and adults.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Refrigerated biscuit dough or homemade dough
• Apples (peeled and diced)
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Unsalted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Optional: powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese glaze

Directions

1. Preheat oven
   Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a Bundt pan generously.
2. Prepare apple mixture
   In a skillet, cook diced apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until tender and caramelized. Set aside.
3. Cut dough
   Cut each biscuit into quarters and toss them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
4. Layer the bread
   In the prepared Bundt pan, alternate layers of coated dough pieces and the cooked apple mixture.
5. Make the sauce
   In a saucepan, melt butter and mix with more brown sugar and vanilla to form a sauce. Pour evenly over the dough in the pan.
6. Bake
   Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. The center should be fully cooked through.
7. Cool and invert
   Let the bread rest for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
8. Glaze (optional)
   Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese glaze if desired.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 10–12
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour

Variations

• Maple flavor: Replace vanilla with maple extract and use maple syrup in the glaze.
• Cream cheese layer: Add small chunks of cream cheese between the dough layers.
• Nutty version: Add chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers.
• Spiced twist: Add cloves or cardamom for extra spice depth.
• From-scratch dough: Make your own sweet dough instead of using biscuits for a homemade touch.

Storage / Reheating

• Room temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
• Refrigeration: Keeps for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheating:
  • Microwave: Heat individual portions for 15–20 seconds.
  • Oven: Warm at 300 °F (150 °C) for 10–15 minutes, covered with foil.

FAQs

Can I use canned apple pie filling?

Yes, although fresh apples offer better texture and flavor. If using pie filling, reduce added sugar.

What type of apple works best?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples are ideal for baking due to their firm texture and balanced sweetness.

Can I use homemade dough?

Absolutely. A rich, buttery yeast dough can be used for a fully homemade version.

How do I prevent sticking?

Generously grease the Bundt pan and let it rest after baking before flipping to avoid breakage.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the night before, cover, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning.

Is a Bundt pan necessary?

It creates the classic shape and even baking, but a deep cake pan or loaf pans can be used in a pinch.

What glaze works best?

A simple powdered sugar and milk glaze or a rich cream cheese glaze both work well.

Can I add raisins?

Yes. Add golden or regular raisins with the apple layers for extra sweetness.

Is this suitable for brunch?

Perfectly. It’s a show-stopping centerpiece ideal for brunch tables or holiday breakfasts.

Can I reheat the whole loaf?

Yes. Cover with foil and warm in a 300 °F oven for 15–20 minutes until heated through.

Conclusion

Apple Fritter Monkey Bread is a luscious, crowd-pleasing pull-apart treat that merges the best elements of apple fritters and monkey bread. Rich with caramelized apple flavor, spiced dough, and sticky-sweet glaze, it’s a must-have for your breakfast table, dessert spread, or festive brunch. Serve it warm, and watch it disappear.

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