Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

This Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is basically a giant, extra gooey pull-apart cinnamon roll with caramel sauce oozing into every delicious bite.  To make things quick and easy, this we use Pillsbury cinnamon roll dough, saving the icing to top the monkey bread after it has baked.

Looking for even more monkey bread recipes? Try this Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread, Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread, or this Cranberry Orange Monkey Bread.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Who can resist the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls, hot from the oven?  This cinnamon roll monkey bread is one of our favorite recipes for an easy breakfast or brunch because it requires minimal prep and absolutely everyone loves it. 

It’s got all of the gooey caramel of regular monkey bread, but with the delicious substitution of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls instead of biscuits.  

This recipe is also perfect for Christmas morning when you want something warm and cozy, but don’t want to spend any more time in the kitchen than you have to.  In our house, we also like to make it any old lazy weekend morning.  You really can’t go wrong!

Key Ingredients You Will Need

• Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls with Icing – you can use any brand of the refrigerated, canned cinnamon rolls.  We prefer the Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls.
• Cinnamon – any kind of ground cinnamon will work.  This would also taste great with a pinch of cardamom added to the cinnamon.
• Sugar – you will need granulated sugar to make the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Brown Sugar – we use light brown sugar to make the caramel sauce for this recipe.
• Butter – unsalted butter works great to make the caramel sauce.
• Heavy Cream – heavy cream helps keep the caramel sauce nice and creamy.

How to Make Monkey Bread with Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls

1. Prepare the cinnamon rolls. Open and separate the cinnamon rolls, setting aside the cinnamon roll icing for later.  Cut each cinnamon roll into four pieces.
2. Roll in cinnamon sugar. Combine the cinnamon and granulated sugar in a bowl, then roll a handful of the cut cinnamon roll pieces into the mixture at a time, making sure to cover all the dough.  Transfer to a separate large bowl and continue until all of the cinnamon roll pieces are covered.
3. Make the caramel. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.  Add the brown sugar, cream, and salt and bring to a boil.  Continue stirring and cooking at a rapid boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Toss the caramel with the dough. Let the butter mixture cool for a minute or so, then pour over the cinnamon sugar coated cinnamon roll pieces in the bowl and gently toss to coat.  Once they are evenly coated, add the pieces into a lightly greased bundt pan, making sure they are filled evenly around the pan.
5. Bake. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
6. Serve. Remove the pan from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before inverting it to a large plate or serving platter.  Use the icing to drizzle over the monkey bread and serve warm.  Enjoy! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing and Freezing Instructions

• Room Temperature:  Cinnamon roll monkey bread will last for about 2 days at room temperature, as long as it is sealed in an airtight container.  We recommend rewarming in a 300 degree oven for a few minutes.  You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave if you prefer.
• Refrigerator:  If you would rather store in the fridge, that works, too.  It will still last for about 2-3 days, and needs to be wrapped well in an airtight container.  You don’t want to eat it cold, so it should be reheated either in a low 300 degree oven for about 15 minutes, or else individual portions can be reheated in the microwave.
• Freezer: we don’t recommend freezing Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread once it has been baked.  The sugars from the cinnamon rolls tend to get very soggy and wet once they are frozen and they will never be nearly as delicious post-freezer.  Can you?  Sure, but should you?  Probably not.

More Easy Breakfast Recipes We Love

• Classic French Toast
• Buttermilk Pancakes
• Best French Toast Bake
• The Best French Toast
• Cinnamon Twist Bread
• Waffles
• Whipped Cream
• Strawberrys and Cream Scones
• Raspberry Sweet Rolls
• Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola
• Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake
• Ham and Cheese Cornbread Muffins
• More Breakfast Recipes
• More Easy Desserts
• More Holiday Recipes

This Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is one of our favorite recipes for an easy breakfast or brunch because it requires minimal prep and absolutely everyone loves it.  It’s got all of the gooey caramel of regular monkey bread, but with the delicious substitution of cinnamon rolls instead of biscuits.