Dutch Oven Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
Refrigerator biscuits quartered, tumbled in cinnamon-sugar, and layered with brown butter caramel in a Dutch oven — a monkey bread pan-lift the whole family shreds apart.
- Cook temp
- 350°F
- 177°C · preheat
- Total time
- 65 min
- 15 prep · 40 cook · 10 rest
- Rest
- 10 min
- Before slicing
Easy Monkey Bread Recipe · Preppy Kitchen
John Kanell shows rolling biscuit dough pieces in cinnamon sugar, piling into a Dutch oven, and baking with melted butter until bubbly.
- Target //Cook at 350°F (177°C) for 40 mins.
- Doneness //Cook until visual doneness cue is met. Rest 10 mins before slicing.
- Golden Rule //The invert is the terrifying part. If you're nervous, run a knife around the edge before flipping, put on oven mitts, and commit fully. A slow tentative flip means the whole thing sticks — a confident wrist snap and it releases clean.
- Family Tweak //Skip the glaze if the kids want to help — let them dust the finished loaf with powdered sugar from a shaker instead. Pulling apart cinnamon bread is one of the great kid dinner activities.
Ingredients
- 2 cansRefrigerator Buttermilk Biscuits, 16.3 oz each, 8 count Grands preferred
- 1 1/2 cupsBrown Sugar, 3/4 for coating, 3/4 for caramel
- 2 tbspGround Cinnamon
- 9 tbspUnsalted Butter, 1 stick for caramel, 1 tbsp for pan
- 1 1/2 tspVanilla Extract, 1 for caramel, 1/2 for glaze
- 1 cupPowdered Sugar, for glaze
- 2 tbspWhole Milk, for glaze
- 1/4 tspKosher Salt
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Get to the point
- 1
Quarter 2 cans biscuits with shears; toss in 3/4 cup cinnamon-brown sugar.
- 2
Melt 1 stick butter with 3/4 cup brown sugar + 1 tsp vanilla for caramel.
- 3
Layer biscuit pieces in greased Dutch oven, drizzling caramel between layers.
- 4
Bake 350°F for 40 min; rest 10 min, invert onto plate, drizzle glaze.
Step by step
Tap a step to cross it offQuarter the Biscuits
5 minOpen 2 cans of 16-count refrigerator buttermilk biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces with kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Do not press or squeeze — leave the pieces loose and rounded.
WhyThe bigger, softer biscuits (Grands or similar) give you bigger pull-apart pieces. The smaller flaky biscuits work too and give more surface area for cinnamon sugar.
Toss in Cinnamon Sugar
In a large bowl, whisk 3/4 cup brown sugar with 2 tbsp ground cinnamon and 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Add the biscuit pieces in 2 batches, tossing to coat every piece completely. Set aside.
WhyBrown sugar over white sugar for the depth. The molasses in brown sugar caramelizes into the pockets and gives the whole loaf a butterscotch note.
Make the Brown Butter Caramel
4 minIn a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter for 4 minutes, swirling, until the milk solids brown and the butter smells nutty. Kill the heat. Whisk in 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
WhyBrown butter is the upgrade over regular melted butter. It smells like toasted nuts and hazelnut and adds a depth that regular butter can't match.
Grease and Layer
Grease a 5- or 6-qt Dutch oven with 1 tbsp softened butter. Add 1/3 of the coated biscuit pieces to form the first layer. Drizzle with 1/3 of the caramel. Repeat 2 more times, ending with caramel on top.
WhyLayering caramel between biscuit layers means every pull-apart chunk has caramel — not just the top and bottom. Drizzling only on top gives you dry middle pieces.
Bake Uncovered at 350°F
40 minBake uncovered at 350°F for 40 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and the caramel is bubbling around the edges. A toothpick inserted between biscuit pieces should come out clean.
WhyUncovered gives you a crispy top; covered gives you a softer, stickier bread. Uncovered wins for pull-apart texture.
Rest, Invert, and Glaze
10 minRest in the Dutch oven for 10 minutes. Place a large plate over the top, then flip in one smooth motion so the bread inverts caramel-side up. Whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla; drizzle over the top and serve immediately.
WhyServe while warm. Cold cinnamon pull-apart is fine but never as magical as warm and gooey. Guests literally tear at it with their hands — it's meant to be a communal food.
- Dad pro tip
- The invert is the terrifying part. If you're nervous, run a knife around the edge before flipping, put on oven mitts, and commit fully. A slow tentative flip means the whole thing sticks — a confident wrist snap and it releases clean.
- Kid & toddler adjustment
- Skip the glaze if the kids want to help — let them dust the finished loaf with powdered sugar from a shaker instead. Pulling apart cinnamon bread is one of the great kid dinner activities.
- Serve with
- Fresh berries and whipped cream · Scrambled eggs and bacon (weekend breakfast) · Vanilla ice cream (as dessert)
- Reheating
- Rewarm portions in a 300°F oven for 8 minutes to bring back the gooey caramel. Cover with foil to prevent the top from over-browning. A brief microwave (20 seconds) works but softens the crust.
- Calories
- 365
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 58 g
- Fat
- 14 g
Nutrition source: USDA FoodData Central #175191 (refrigerator biscuits) and #173410 (butter). Cook-time basis: Tested with 2 cans (16 count each) refrigerator buttermilk biscuits quartered, tossed in 3/4 cup cinnamon sugar, layered with 3/4 cup brown butter caramel in a 5-qt Dutch oven at 350°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade biscuit dough?
Yes — use a 2-cup flour biscuit recipe, cut into 32 pieces. Takes 20 more minutes of prep but delivers a superior texture. Refrigerator biscuits are the shortcut, not the standard.
Can I add nuts or raisins?
Yes, fold 1/2 cup chopped pecans and/or 1/2 cup raisins between layers. Both are traditional monkey bread additions.
How do you reheat leftover dutch oven cinnamon pull-apart bread without ruining the texture?
Rewarm portions in a 300°F oven for 8 minutes to bring back the gooey caramel. Cover with foil to prevent the top from over-browning. A brief microwave (20 seconds) works but softens the crust.
How do I adapt this meal for picky kids or toddlers?
Skip the glaze if the kids want to help — let them dust the finished loaf with powdered sugar from a shaker instead. Pulling apart cinnamon bread is one of the great kid dinner activities.
What are the best side dishes to serve with this?
Recommended sides include Fresh berries and whipped cream, Scrambled eggs and bacon (weekend breakfast), Vanilla ice cream (as dessert).