This Overnight Monkey Bread from Barbara Costello, he beloved internet sensation behind Brunch with Babs, is the perfect way to start the day—think of it as the ultimate pull-apart treat, guaranteed to keep everyone gathered happily around the table. It’s sticky, caramel-coated with a mix of flavors and textures: soft, fluffy bread coated in rich, buttery caramel, infused with the warmth of cinnamon, and a hint of decadent butterscotch pudding in every bite.
Barbara says: “The Overnight Monkey Bread can get messy while baking in the oven. It’s a good idea to place a foil-lined cookie sheet on the lowest rack of the oven while the bread bakes on the middle rack. This is meant to be served by pulling a piece from the bread – definitely not cutting. Just ask your monkeys… they know!”
What makes her Overnight Monkey Bread so simple is its minimal hands-on time. By using frozen unbaked yeast dinner rolls, much of the heavy lifting is done for you—no kneading, proofing, or dough preparation required. The ingredients are straightforward and pantry-friendly, including basics like butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butterscotch pudding mix, meaning you won’t need to hunt down anything exotic. 
The real magic happens while you sleep. After a quick assembly the night before, the rolls rise on the counter overnight, leaving you with minimal effort in the morning. When you wake up, all that’s left to do is pop the bread in the oven and let the irresistible aroma of caramel and cinnamon fill your kitchen. It’s a no-fuss recipe that delivers maximum reward with minimal effort—perfect for busy holiday mornings or when you just want a stress-free crowd-pleaser!
How to Make Overnight Monkey Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Bundt Pan
Spray a bundt pan generously with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring all the nooks and crannies are coated. Scatter a handful of chopped pecans around the base for an added nutty crunch.
Step 2: Roll, Coat, and Layer
Melt the butter in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pudding mix.
Take each frozen dinner roll and roll it first in the melted butter, then coat it in the dry sugar mixture.
Arrange the coated rolls in layers inside the bundt pan, sprinkling the remaining pecans evenly throughout. Pour any leftover dry mixture over the top for extra sweetness.
Step 3: Let It Rise Overnight
Cover the pan with plastic wrap and a clean tea towel, then leave it on your countertop overnight. The rolls will rise beautifully and fill the pan by morning.
Step 4: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the plastic wrap and place a foil-lined cookie sheet on the lowest oven rack to catch any caramel drips.
Bake the monkey bread on the middle rack for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
Step 5: Flip and Serve
Carefully remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Then, invert the monkey bread onto a serving platter while still hot. Let your family and guests dig in by pulling apart the gooey, caramel-coated pieces.
Overnight Monkey Bread
- Total Time: 45 minutes plus overnight rising
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
Description
An addictive overnight delight, best enjoyed by pulling pieces of the warm caramel coated bread with your hands – no utensils allowed. It’s without a doubt, finger lickin’ good and will become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 18 frozen unbaked yeast dinner rolls, such as Rhodes (1 1/2 lb/680g)
- 1/2 cup chopped raw pecans
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 (3 oz/85g) box regular butterscotch pudding mix (not instant)
Instructions
Spray a bundt pan generously with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring all the nooks and crannies are coated. Scatter a handful of chopped pecans around the base for an added nutty crunch.
Step 2: Roll, Coat, and Layer
Melt the butter in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and pudding mix.
Take each frozen dinner roll and roll it first in the melted butter, then coat it in the dry sugar mixture.
Arrange the coated rolls in layers inside the bundt pan, sprinkling the remaining pecans evenly throughout. Pour any leftover dry mixture over the top for extra sweetness.
Step 3: Let It Rise Overnight
Cover the pan with plastic wrap and a clean tea towel, then leave it on your countertop overnight. The rolls will rise beautifully and fill the pan by morning.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Remove the plastic wrap and place a foil-lined cookie sheet on the lowest oven rack to catch any caramel drips.
Bake the monkey bread on the middle rack for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.
Step 5: Flip and Serve
Carefully remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Then, invert the monkey bread onto a serving platter while still hot. Let your family and guests dig in by pulling apart the gooey, caramel-coated pieces.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Rising Time: Overnight
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 5
