Chef Sarah Mitchell - Fall Baking Specialist
👨‍🍳 Fall Baking Expert

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Pastry Arts Graduate ⏰ 15+ Years Experience 🍽️ Seasonal Baking Master

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This recipe was inspired by cozy autumn mornings when the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin spice filled my grandmother's kitchen. I've perfected this monkey bread to capture all the warm, comforting flavors of fall in every pull-apart piece."

Sarah specializes in seasonal baking that celebrates the flavors of each time of year. She's spent over a decade perfecting recipes that bring families together around the table with warm, comforting baked goods.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Golden-brown pumpkin spice monkey bread in a bundt pan with sweet glaze drizzling down the sides, showing the pull-apart texture with visible cinnamon-sugar coating

The Art of Perfect Monkey Bread

Creating the perfect monkey bread requires understanding the balance between dough texture and spice distribution. The key is developing a soft, pillowy dough that can hold the generous coating of cinnamon-sugar while maintaining its tender crumb throughout the baking process.

The pumpkin puree not only adds flavor but also contributes to the bread's moisture and creates a beautiful golden color. The spice blend should be generous enough to perfume each bite while allowing the pumpkin flavor to shine through.

💡 Professional Tip

Let the dough rise in a slightly warm oven (turned off) with a bowl of hot water on the bottom rack. This creates the perfect humid environment for optimal rising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can assemble the monkey bread the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before the final rise and baking.

Use a light-colored bundt pan and rotate it halfway through baking. Dark pans can cause over-browning. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil.

It's best to use plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, as the filling contains added spices and sugars that can throw off the recipe's balance.

The monkey bread should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. An instant-read thermometer should register 190°F (88°C) in the center.

You can use a 9x13 inch baking dish, though the presentation will be different. The baking time may need to be adjusted by 5-10 minutes.

Cover tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore the gooey texture.

Yes, freeze the baked and cooled monkey bread (without glaze) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes.

You can use 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices, or add a pinch of cardamom or allspice for variation.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Dense Texture

Problem: Monkey bread turns out dense instead of fluffy

Solution: Don't add too much flour during kneading, ensure yeast is fresh and active, and allow proper rising time in a warm environment.

✅

Uneven Browning

Problem: Some sections brown faster than others

Solution: Rotate the pan halfway through baking and use a light-colored bundt pan. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.

✅

Dry Results

Problem: Monkey bread comes out dry

Prevention: Don't overbake - check doneness at minimum time. Ensure proper measuring of liquids and don't skip the butter coating.

✅

Sticking to Pan

Problem: Monkey bread sticks to the bundt pan

Recovery: Grease the pan thoroughly with butter and flour. Let cool only 10 minutes before inverting - longer can cause sticking.

✅

Glaze Too Thick

Problem: Glaze doesn't drizzle properly

Prevention: Add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency. The glaze should coat the back of a spoon but still drizzle easily.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add a pinch of salt to the glaze or reduce sugar in coating

Too Salty: Increase the vanilla in the glaze or add more powdered sugar

Bland: Increase pumpkin pie spices or add orange zest to the dough

Pumpkin spice monkey bread ingredients including flour, pumpkin puree, warm spices, butter, and yeast arranged on a rustic wooden surface

Selecting Quality Fall Ingredients

The foundation of exceptional pumpkin spice monkey bread starts with quality pumpkin puree. Choose pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling to control the spice levels and sweetness. Fresh, warm spices make a significant difference in the final flavor profile.

High-quality butter is essential for both the dough and coating. The butter creates the rich, tender crumb and helps the cinnamon-sugar mixture adhere to each piece. Fresh yeast ensures proper rising and the light, airy texture that makes monkey bread irresistible.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Pumpkin Puree: Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. For best results, choose organic pumpkin puree which tends to have better flavor and consistency.
  • Warm Spices: Freshly ground spices provide the best flavor. Toast whole spices lightly before grinding for even more aromatic results.
  • Active Dry Yeast: Check expiration dates and proof the yeast in warm milk to ensure it's active. The mixture should foam within 5 minutes.
Golden pumpkin spice monkey bread baking in the oven with visible cinnamon-sugar coating and beautiful golden-brown color developing

Mastering the Baking Process

The secret to perfect monkey bread lies in proper dough development and timing. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but not wet. Adequate kneading develops the gluten structure that gives the bread its characteristic pull-apart texture.

Temperature control is crucial throughout the process. The rising environment should be warm but not hot, and the baking temperature should be moderate to ensure even cooking throughout the thick layers of dough balls.

The Perfect Rise

Create a warm, humid environment for rising by placing the covered bowl in an oven with just the light on, along with a bowl of warm water on the bottom rack.

Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread

Prep 30 min
Cook 40 min
Serves 8 servings
Level Intermediate

📋 Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 150g brown sugar
    Creates the signature coating
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
    Essential fall spice
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
    Adds warmth and complexity
  • 120g butter, melted
    For coating the dough balls
  • 200g powdered sugar
    For the sweet glaze
  • 60ml milk
    Creates smooth glaze consistency

For the Coating and Glaze

  • 750g all-purpose flour
    Forms the bread structure
  • 240ml warm milk
    Activates yeast and creates tender crumb
  • 120g pumpkin puree
    Adds moisture and fall flavor
  • 7g active dry yeast
    Provides the rise and texture
  • 80g melted butter
    Creates rich, tender dough
  • 1 large egg
    Adds richness and structure
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    Enhances overall flavor

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough

    In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy. Mix in pumpkin puree, melted butter, granulated sugar, egg, salt, and vanilla. Gradually add flour until a soft dough forms.

  2. Knead and Rise

    Turn dough onto floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1 hour until doubled.

  3. Prepare Coating

    Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a bowl. Melt butter for coating. Grease a bundt pan thoroughly.

  4. Shape and Coat

    Punch down dough and divide into 40-45 small balls. Dip each ball in melted butter, then roll in spice-sugar mixture. Layer in prepared bundt pan.

  5. Final Rise and Bake

    Cover and let rise 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes, then invert onto serving plate.

  6. Make Glaze and Serve

    Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over warm monkey bread. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore the gooey texture.

Make-Ahead Tips

Assemble the night before and refrigerate. Allow to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before the final rise and baking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with coffee or hot cider. For special occasions, add a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream alongside each portion.