Let’s Get Real
So here we are, on the cusp of fall. The leaves are turning, the air is getting crisper, and everywhere you look, pumpkin spice is invading everything from lattes to lotions. I’ll be honest: I was a pumpkin spice hater for a long time. My teenage self rolled her eyes at the very mention of it. But now? I’m firmly aboard the pumpkin spice train, and let me tell you, this Homemade Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread is the ticket to my cozy train car.
Before you ask, let me clarify—I had a complicated relationship with monkey bread as a child. It seemed like such a magical concept: sticky, gooey bread that you pull apart and devour in just a few seconds. But then my mom made it one Thanksgiving that I *may* have been slightly obsessed with the idea of and suddenly I was eating it breakfast, lunch, and dinner until I misplaced the concept of moderation. Spoiler alert: I once made too much of it, and my family ended up in a sugar-induced food coma. Good times.
Now that we’ve established my deep-rooted obsession, let’s dive into this pumpkin spice version that combines my childhood joy with fall flavors. You won’t just make this once—you’ll want to bake it again and again, and hey, your waistline may or may not agree, but we’re here for comfort, right?
Ingredients, Unfiltered
What’s Really in Homemade Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread
Let’s break down these bad boys:
All-purpose flour: The backbone of our monkey bread. I wouldn’t recommend trying to make this gluten-free unless you’re blessed with a magic wand.
Pumpkin puree: Yes, it’s the real deal and comes straight from the pumpkin patch (or the can—I won’t judge). Just make sure it’s not pumpkin pie filling because your monkey bread is about to get some serious sweet competition.
Granulated sugar: To add sweetness. Because let’s be real, we’re not here for the health benefits. I might even sneak a little extra in there—I won’t tell if you don’t!
Baking powder: This is what makes our bread rise and shine. So don’t be stingy; it needs to work hard for us!
Pumpkin pie spice: This is the magical blend that transforms your ordinary monkey bread into a cozy fall masterpiece. Feel free to eyeball it because who doesn’t love a little extra spice?
Salt: This little guy is essential. It balances the sweetness and makes everything come together, like the Avengers of the baking world.
Warm milk: Because dry monkey bread is just sad. And this milk helps everything mix together, creating that pillowy goodness we crave.
Eggs: They bind our ingredients together. Honestly, is there any baked good that’s truly great without eggs?
Butter: Trust me; you do not want to skimp on this. Melted butter is like liquid gold for our monkey bread, enhancing every nook and cranny with flavor.
Brown sugar: Oh, you sweet, caramel-y temptress. This will get mixed with melted butter and really create that gooey glaze we all dream about.
That’s it! Simple, pure, and a little sinful. Sometimes I think the less complicated a recipe is, the more we remember it—and let’s face it, we’re going to be pulling apart gooey bread, so who needs a million ingredients anyway?
Let’s Talk Health (or Not)
Is This Even Healthy? Let’s Discuss
Look, I’m not going to stand here and lie to you—this isn’t the health food aisle of Whole Foods. This is a delightful combination of carbs, sugar, and love. The pumpkin? Sure, there are some vitamins in there or whatever—let’s call it “superfood adjacent” if it makes us feel better. But with the sugar, butter, and those warm, fluffy bread bites, let’s not kid ourselves.
Am I ashamed to admit this is not going to earn you a ‘health star’? Absolutely not. But am I also not losing sleep over it? Nope! Let’s just aim for moderation (which I sometimes forget exists), and I assure you, a bite of this monkey bread on a cool fall day alongside your favorite hoodie is 100% worth the calories.
Your Grocery List
Here’s What You’ll Need
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup warm milk
– 2 large eggs
– 1/2 cup butter, melted (plus more for greasing)
– 1 cup brown sugar, packed
– Optional: Chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts for some extra crunch), or chocolate chips if you’re feeling adventurous!
This recipe feeds about 8 servings, but let’s be real; if you’re anything like me, it feeds about 2 before your friends even get a chance to taste it.
The Actual Cooking Part
Okay, Let’s Make This
Alright, folks! Let’s roll our sleeves up and get to baking. And remember, if it looks chaos in your kitchen, don’t panic! That’s part of the charm.
1. **Preheat Your Oven:** First things first, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the smell of fall in your home waiting to happen, so let’s get it crackin’!
2. **Grease that Pan:** Grab a bundt pan or a deep cake dish and generously grease it with melted butter. You want to do this to avoid your fabulous creation from sticking. Trust me, having a monkey bread cling for its dear life to a pan is not the goal here.
3. **Mix the Dry Ingredients:** In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Feel like a mad scientist? Good, because you’re about to create deliciousness!
4. **Blend the Wet Ingredients:** In another bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, warm milk, and eggs. Beat them together like they owe you money. Seriously, whisk with full enthusiasm until it looks all combined and yellow.
5. **Combine:** Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently mix until they’re just combined. Pro tip: The less you mix, the more irreplaceable your monkey bread will be.
6. **Make the Magic Mixture:** Now, here comes the fun part. In a separate bowl, mix that melted butter with brown sugar. Stir ’til it’s just about smooth and denser than a college textbook. You want it to be thick but still pourable—kinda like a thick syrup.
7. **Cut the Dough:** Take a handful of your dough and pinch off small pieces—about the size of a golf ball (or smaller if you want your bread *more* pull-apartable, which is definitely my recommendation). Roll them in your hands and then toss them into the butter-sugar mixture, coating them generously.
8. **Layer it Up:** Layer these dough balls into your greased pan. Try to alternate with nuts or chocolate chips as you go if you’re adding them. It’s all about the right balance of textures!
9. **Pour the Remaining Mixture:** Once you’ve tossed in all those little dough balls, drizzle any remaining butter-sugar mixture over the top. This is where the magic happens. Count this as your little blessing over dinner.
10. **Bake:** Pop that pan in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. You’re gonna want to keep an eye on it in the last few minutes. Your kitchen should start smelling like autumnal heaven! I promise, you’ll view your oven like it’s a shrine of sorts.
11. **Cool and Flip:** After your monkey bread is golden and gorgeous, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes (if you can resist that long). Then, place a plate over the top and flip it. With any luck, it should slide out smoothly; if not, you can’t be too upset with a little monkey bread that decided it was playing hard to get.
12. **Devour:** Just like that, you’re left with a perfectly puffy pile of caramelized goodness! Pull the pieces apart, inhale deeply, and get ready to be the star of the fall festivities.
Side Notes & Sassy Hacks
Bonus Tips You Didn’t Ask For
– **Nuts:** As I mentioned earlier, walnuts or pecans are delightful. They add a crunchy contrast that makes my heart sing. But if you’re not a nut lover (like my sister who believes nuts ruin everything), feel free to skip!
– **Storage:** If by some miraculous chance you have leftovers, store them covered at room temperature. You can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds the next day for a warm-up. It’s like a hug and your morning coffee on a cool fall day!
– **Substitutions:** If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can substitute with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of ginger. But let’s be honest, who doesn’t have pumpkin pie spice this time of year? Your pantry should be loading that flavor with ease!
– **Gooey Goodness:** Want even more drizzle? Mix a small amount of powdered sugar with milk to create a quick glaze to drizzle over the top once your monkey bread has cooled. You can never have too much sugar, people!
– **Serving Ideas:** This monkey bread is fabulous as-is, but if you want to jazz it up further, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side. You are allowed to indulge a little extra here!
Final Words of (Culinary) Wisdom
So there you have it! Your very own Homemade Pumpkin Spice Monkey Bread, ready to steal the show and give you an extra dose of cozy vibes. As the weather turns colder and the pumpkin lattes start brewing, this recipe will be your new fall staple. If you try it (and oh, I hope you do), please send me a picture or tag me on your favorite social media platform! Enjoy those gooey bites, and let them remind you of all the fall moments ahead. Or if you just want to send me a mental high-five while you devour the whole thing solo—well, I’ll take that too! Enjoy!
