Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread

Top view of Monkey Bread with Caramel and Pecans

4.75 from 8 reviews

Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread

Monkey Bread made with balls of sweet dough smothered in caramel and topped with crunchy pecans. This Monkey Bread recipe is gooey, sticky and delicious!

Course Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Monkey Bread

Prep Time 8 40

Cook Time 40

Total Time 9 20

Servings servings

Calories 660.82kcal

Author Chef Kathy McDaniel

Ingredients

For the Dough

1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water (105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
1 1/4 cups 2% milk, lukewarm (105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
5 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted, plus more for the bowl and pan
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
5 cups all-purpose flour

For the Caramel

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup pecans, chopped

Topping

1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

For the Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm (105 to 110 F) water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Add the milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt and 3 cups of flour. Use the dough hook attachment and mix on medium for 4 minutes. Stir in the remaining flour and mix until well combined and a firm dough has formed.
Remove the dough from the bowl and onto a floured surface. Knead for about 6 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough into a greased bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next day when ready to make the caramel, grease a 10-inch bundt pan with butter or cooking spray.

To Make the Caramel

Into a small saucepan over high heat, add the brown sugar, butter and cream. Bring to a boil. Cook stirring constantly for about 5 minutes or until slightly dark and thick.
Remove from the heat and pour half of the caramel into the bundt pan. Sprinkle with half of the pecans.

To Make the Topping

In a shallow bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar. Have the melted butter ready in a small bowl.

The Rest

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and press it down. Shape the dough into balls of about 1 1/4 inch. You will have about 40 balls.
Dip each dough ball into the melted butter and then roll it into the cinnamon sugar.
Arrange about 20 dough balls into the bundt pan and pour the rest of the caramel over them. Sprinkle with the remaining pecans.
Top with the rest of the dough balls. Cover and let it rise for about 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Invert onto a serving platter. Enjoy!

Notes

Make sure you proof your yeast by mixing it with the lukewarm water and waiting about 5 minutes to see if the yeast bubbles. The bubbles mean that the yeast is alive. Do not expect a foam fest! Some bubbles is all you need. If the yeast does not bubble, throw the mixture away and start over.
Nutrition facts are only an estimate.

Nutrition