If you’re looking to wow brunch guests, thrill your family on a lazy weekend morning, or just need an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast, this Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread will quickly become your new best friend. With fluffy cinnamon roll bites bathed in sweet buttery caramel, each piece pulls apart with gooey perfection, perfumed by vanilla and finished with luscious icing. Whether you serve it as a showstopping breakfast treat or a decadent dessert, this irresistible dish is a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing recipe you’ll reach for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Get ready to fall in love with how brilliantly simple these ingredients are, each bringing something special to our Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread. The result is a golden, gooey, pull-apart masterpiece every single time.
- Refrigerated cinnamon roll dough: Store-bought dough saves loads of time and is already packed with cinnamon flavor; make sure to grab the kind with icing included.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that irresistible crunchy-sweet coating.
- Ground cinnamon: Enhances the classic cozy flavor that makes monkey bread so comforting and nostalgic.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Makes every piece rich and glossy, binding everything together with delicious decadence.
- Light brown sugar: Adds warm molasses tones and melts into a sweet caramel-like glaze.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and makes the whole kitchen smell like a bakery.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures easy serving and helps everything come out perfect (and not stuck to your slow cooker).
- Cinnamon roll icing: This finishing touch brings a creamy, sweet drizzle that melts over the top—don’t skip it!
How to Make Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
Spray the inside of your 6-quart slow cooker generously with nonstick cooking spray. Don’t skimp—this guarantees all those sticky, gooey pockets release with ease once baked, and it makes cleanup infinitely simpler.
Step 2: Cut and Coat the Dough
Pop open your cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into quarters. As you chop, toss the bite-sized pieces into a big mixing bowl—you want lots of nooks and crannies for flavor to cling to. In a separate small bowl, quickly stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Pour this cinnamon sugar over the dough pieces and toss until every morsel is generously coated with sweet, spicy goodness.
Step 3: Mix the Buttery Caramel Sauce
In a fresh bowl, combine your melted butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until silky smooth and caramel-like. This sauce is the secret to that rich, gooey texture that takes Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread over the top, soaking into every piece as it cooks.
Step 4: Combine Everything and Assemble
Pour your luscious caramel sauce over the cinnamon sugar-coated dough pieces and gently stir to coat. Take your time—each piece should be glistening. Now, transfer everything into the greased slow cooker, spreading the mixture out evenly for consistent cooking and caramelization.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Gooey Perfection
Cover your slow cooker (resist the urge to peek!) and set it to LOW for 2 to 2.5 hours. The hardest part is waiting, but this step is key to pillowy-soft centers and crisp, golden edges. When the center looks cooked and fluffy, it’s ready. Remove the lid and let it cool for 10 minutes so everything sets just enough for slicing and serving.
Step 6: Drizzle with Icing and Serve
Take the reserved icing that came with your cinnamon rolls and drizzle it generously over the top of your warm monkey bread. The icing melts beautifully into the crevices, adding sweet, creamy goodness to every bite. Now dive in—dare you to try and stop at just one piece!
How to Serve Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Garnishes
For extra flourish, sprinkle on chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for delightful crunch, or toss in a handful of raisins for a touch of chewy sweetness. If you want to dial up the decadence, a dusting of powdered sugar or a second drizzle of vanilla glaze just before serving makes Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread look bakery-perfect.
Side Dishes
This pull-apart bread pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, like a bowl of strawberries or orange slices to balance the sweetness. For brunch or holiday mornings, consider serving it alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a simple yogurt parfait, letting the monkey bread be the sugary centerpiece.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread into a showpiece by inverting it onto a pretty platter and letting the caramel drip down the sides for a gooey waterfall effect. For an interactive family breakfast, let everyone “pull apart” their own portions straight from the slow cooker. Or, divide into individual ramekins for personal-sized desserts—so cute and festive!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (they go fast!), let the monkey bread cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The pieces will stay soft and sticky, and the flavors even seem to deepen overnight.
Freezing
This recipe is freezer-friendly, making it easy to bake ahead for special occasions. Wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature, then rewarm before serving for that fresh-baked taste.
Reheating
To bring Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread back to life, microwave individual servings for about 20–30 seconds, or heat larger portions in a 300°F oven until warmed through. Don’t forget an extra drizzle of glaze or a pat of butter as a finishing touch!
FAQs
Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade dough recipe, it works beautifully. Just roll it out, spread with cinnamon sugar, and cut into bite-sized pieces, then proceed as usual for that same pillowy texture.
Can I cook this on HIGH to save time?
It’s tempting, but low-and-slow is best! Cooking on HIGH may brown the outsides too quickly before the center is ready. Stick with the LOW setting for reliably gooey, evenly cooked monkey bread.
What’s the best way to keep the icing from melting completely?
Let your Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread cool for 10–15 minutes after cooking, then drizzle the icing over the top. This way, it stays creamy and visible instead of soaking in entirely.
Can I add fruit or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped apples, raisins, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips make delicious additions. Just stir them in with the coated dough pieces before transferring to the crockpot.
Is this recipe suitable for a potluck or holiday breakfast?
It’s perfect! The warm, gooey pull-apart bread is always a hit, and you can even transport it right in the crockpot to keep it fresh and steamy until serving time.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread enough—it’s impossible to resist and so easy to make, no matter your kitchen skills. Give it a whirl at your next brunch, family breakfast, or whenever you want a sweet treat that’s truly unforgettable. Happy baking!
Print
Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this easy-to-make treat will have everyone coming back for more!
Ingredients
Refrigerated Cinnamon Roll Dough:
2 cans (8-count each)
Granulated Sugar:
1/2 cup
Ground Cinnamon:
1 tablespoon
Unsalted Butter (melted):
1/2 cup
Light Brown Sugar (packed):
1/2 cup
Vanilla Extract:
1 teaspoon
Nonstick Cooking Spray
Cinnamon Roll Icing (from tubes):
for topping
Instructions
- Spray the crockpot: Grease a 6-quart crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare cinnamon roll dough: Cut each roll into quarters and coat with a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Mix butter and sugar: Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour over the dough and mix gently.
- Transfer to crockpot: Spread the coated dough evenly in the crockpot. Cook on LOW for 2-2.5 hours without lifting the lid.
- Cool and serve: Let it sit for 10 minutes after cooking. Drizzle icing on top before serving.
Notes
- You can add chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins for extra flavor.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
