There’s a special kind of joy that comes from baking on a cool, crisp autumn day. It’s the feeling of warmth spreading from the oven, the sweet and spicy scent that fills every corner of your home, and the anticipation of sharing something delicious.
And nothing captures that feeling quite like a warm, gooey loaf of pumpkin spice pull apart bread.
Imagine this: you and your loved ones gathered around the kitchen table. A steaming loaf sits in the center, its top glistening with a sweet glaze.
You reach out and pull away a soft, fluffy piece, revealing layers of buttery dough swirled with pumpkin and cinnamon sugar.
It’s a shared, interactive experience—a treat that’s as fun to eat as it is to make. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create a cozy, memorable moment.
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The Magic of Pull Apart Bread
Pull apart bread, sometimes called monkey bread, is a marvel of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary.
It’s a sweet, shareable loaf made from pieces of soft dough that are rolled in butter and a sugary spice mixture, then baked together in a pan. The result is a sticky, caramel-coated creation that’s meant to be eaten with your hands.
This pumpkin spice pull apart bread takes that classic concept and infuses it with the quintessential flavors of fall. The dough itself is enriched with pumpkin puree, giving it a beautiful orange hue and an incredibly moist texture.
Each layer is generously coated in a blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, creating pockets of warm, spiced goodness in every bite.
It’s the perfect centerpiece for a weekend brunch, a delightful after-school snack, or a comforting dessert.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
This recipe is designed to be both impressive and surprisingly simple. It’s a wonderful project for a lazy weekend, filling your home with the most incredible aromas.
Here’s why this pumpkin spice pull apart bread is a must-try:
- Incredibly Soft & Fluffy: The pumpkin-enriched yeast dough bakes up to be pillowy soft and tender.
- Layers of Flavor: Every piece is coated in melted butter and a warm, aromatic pumpkin spice sugar mixture.
- Fun to Make & Eat: The process of cutting, dipping, and arranging the dough is a fun activity, and pulling the bread apart is a joy for all ages.
- Perfect for Sharing: It’s a communal treat that brings people together, making it ideal for holiday gatherings, family breakfasts, or cozy get-togethers with friends.
Gathering Your Ingredients for a Cozy Baking Session
The best baking days start with a clear counter and all your ingredients measured and ready to go. It’s a small step that makes the whole process feel more like a relaxing ritual than a chore.
For the Pumpkin Dough:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- ¼ cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- ½ cup whole milk, warmed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (100% pure pumpkin)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For the Pumpkin Spice Coating:
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Glaze (Optional):
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
A Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Pumpkin Spice Pull Apart Bread
Let’s walk through this process together. Baking with yeast can seem intimidating, but this dough is very forgiving. Put on some cozy music, and let’s create something wonderful.
Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Make the Dough
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl if kneading by hand), combine the warm water, warm milk, and granulated sugar.
Sprinkle the yeast over the top. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly. This is how you know your yeast is active and ready to work.
Once the yeast is activated, add the melted butter, pumpkin puree, egg, and salt to the bowl. Mix on low speed with the dough hook attachment until just combined.
Gradually add 4 cups of the flour, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until a soft, shaggy dough forms. If the dough is still very sticky, add the remaining ½ cup of flour, a little at a time, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
Step 2: Knead the Dough to Perfection
Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and knead the dough for 6-8 minutes. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and only slightly tacky to the touch.
If kneading by hand, turn the shaggy dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 10-12 minutes, adding a little flour as needed to prevent sticking, until it’s smooth and elastic.
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Turn the dough once to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
Step 3: The First Rise (Patience is Key)
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. The warmth helps the yeast do its job, creating a light and airy dough.
Step 4: Prepare the Coating and Pan
While the dough is rising, prepare your pan and the delicious coating. Generously grease a 10- or 12-cup Bundt pan. This is an important step to prevent the sticky bread from getting stuck later.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. In a separate small bowl, place your ½ cup of melted butter. Set these aside near your work surface.
Step 5: Assemble the Pull Apart Bread
Once the dough has doubled, gently press it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
Using a bench scraper or a knife, cut the dough into 64 equal-sized pieces.
You can do this by first cutting the dough into 4 large quarters, then cutting each quarter into 16 smaller pieces. Don’t stress about making them perfectly uniform; the rustic look is part of the charm.
Now for the fun part! Working with one piece at a time, roll it into a ball, dip it completely in the melted butter, and then roll it generously in the brown sugar-spice mixture until it’s fully coated.
Place the coated dough ball into the prepared Bundt pan. Continue this process with the remaining dough pieces, scattering them evenly around the pan to create a single, jumbled layer.
If you have any leftover butter or sugar mixture, drizzle it over the top of the dough in the pan.
Step 6: The Second Rise
Cover the Bundt pan loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for another 30-45 minutes, or until the dough has puffed up and is nearing the top of the pan. While it’s rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the Bundt pan on a baking sheet to catch any potential drips. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes.
The bread is done when the top is deep golden brown and the sugary coating is bubbly. If it starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the top with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Step 8: Cool and Release
Carefully remove the pan from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for just 5-10 minutes. This is a critical window. If you let it cool too long, the caramel will harden and stick to the pan.
Place a large serving plate or platter over the top of the Bundt pan. With oven mitts, confidently flip the pan and plate together. The bread should slide right out. If a few pieces stick, you can gently pry them out and place them back on the loaf.
Step 9: Glaze and Serve
While the bread is still warm, you can add the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.
Drizzle the glaze over the warm pumpkin spice pull apart bread. Serve it immediately while it’s warm, gooey, and at its most irresistible.
A Final Thought on Shared Joy
This pumpkin spice pull apart bread is more than just a sweet treat; it’s an experience. It’s the scent that draws everyone to the kitchen, the fun of pulling off your own piece, and the warmth that spreads with every single bite.
It’s a recipe that’s meant for sharing, for slowing down, and for celebrating the simple, cozy moments of the season.
So, I hope you set aside some time this fall to bake this loaf. Fill your home with the comforting aroma of pumpkin and spice, gather your favorite people, and enjoy the sweet, sticky, wonderful mess of it all. It’s in these simple, shared moments that the best memories are made.
