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Sticky Buns Recipe

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  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (approx. 19 oz)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup whole milk (8 fl oz)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar (divided (approx. 2.3 oz))
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons active yeast (0.25 oz)
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature (1 stick or 4 oz))
  • 2 large eggs (whisked)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pecan Caramel Topping

  • 1 3/4 cups chopped pecans (approx. 6 oz)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (0.75 stick or 3 oz)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup (approx. 2.5 fl oz)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (approx. 3.9 oz)
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Butter Filling

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick or 4 oz)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (approx. 2 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon


Instructions

Dough

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, nutmeg, and orange zest (if using). Set aside.
  2. Prepare Yeast Mixture: Warm the milk to about 110°F. Pour it into a large bowl or a stand mixer bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and yeast. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the rest of the sugar, butter, and whisked eggs to the yeast mixture. Mix briefly using a paddle attachment or a wooden spoon.
  4. Form Dough: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined into a shaggy dough.
  5. Knead Dough: Switch to the dough hook and knead on low for 8-10 minutes, or knead by hand on a floured surface for 10 minutes, until dough is smooth and tacky.
  6. First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, and cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rise at room temperature (around 72°F) for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Cinnamon Butter Filling

  1. Mix Ingredients: Just before assembling the rolls, mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl to form a thick paste. Set aside.

Pecan Caramel Topping

  1. Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13” pan with oil spray and line with parchment paper.
  2. Make Caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, corn syrup (if using), and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 3 minutes.
  3. Assemble Topping: Pour caramel into the prepared pan and sprinkle chopped pecans over it. Set aside.

Assemble Rolls

  1. Check Dough: To check if the dough has risen enough, poke it gently. It should form an indentation that slowly springs back.
  2. Roll Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 20×12 inches and 1/2 inch thick.
  3. Spread Filling: Spread the cinnamon butter filling evenly over the dough.
  4. Shape Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from the widest side into a 20-inch log. Trim the ends and cut into 12 equal pieces.
  5. Arrange Rolls: Place the rolls in the prepared pan on top of the pecan caramel mixture. Cover with plastic wrap.
  6. Second Rise: Let the rolls rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until puffed up.

Bake

  1. Preheat Oven: While the rolls rise, preheat the oven to 375°F (or 350°F if using a convection oven).
  2. Bake Rolls: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. If the center isn’t fully baked, cover with foil and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes.
  3. Cool: Let the rolls cool in the pan for 20 minutes.

Serve

  1. Flip Rolls: Carefully flip the rolls onto a serving board and remove the parchment paper.
  2. Enjoy: Serve warm.

Notes

Storage

  • Serve Fresh: These rolls are best eaten the day they’re made.
  • Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • Freeze: You can freeze baked rolls. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm before serving.

Notes

  • Orange Zest and Nutmeg: Both are optional but add great flavor.
  • Rising Time: You can speed up the first rise by placing the dough in a warm spot, but watch it closely.
  • Yeast: Instant yeast can be used instead of active yeast. No need to proof, just add to the dough ingredients.
  • Make Ahead: Assemble the rolls a day ahead and refrigerate. Let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before baking.
  • Corn Syrup: It helps stabilize the caramel but is not essential.
  • Maple Syrup Substitute: Use honey if you don’t have maple syrup.