Go Back
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup milk, warmed - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast These basic items are key to making your sticky buns rise and shine. The all-purpose flour gives the dough its structure. Warm milk helps dissolve the sugar and activates the yeast. Granulated sugar sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast, allowing it to bloom. The active dry yeast is what makes the dough rise. - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon salt Next, we have some important extras. Unsalted butter adds richness to the dough. The large egg helps bind everything together. Vanilla extract gives a warm flavor, while salt balances all the sweetness. - 1 cup pecans, chopped - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup light corn syrup - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Now for the fun part—the toppings! Chopped pecans add crunch and flavor. Brown sugar gives the caramel a rich taste. Light corn syrup helps create that sticky texture. Ground cinnamon adds warmth, making your sticky buns smell amazing! Gather all these ingredients, and you're ready to make some delicious caramel pecan sticky buns. Each item plays an important role in creating the perfect treat! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, we need to activate the yeast. In a small bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Wait about five minutes. The mixture should get frothy. This shows the yeast is ready to work. Next, we mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, egg, vanilla, and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture and stir well. Now, let’s add the dry ingredients. Gradually mix in the flour. Stir until a soft dough forms. Kneading is next. Place the dough on a floured surface. Knead it for five to seven minutes. The dough should feel smooth and elastic. Now, it's time for the first rise. Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. It should double in size. While the dough rises, prepare the caramel mixture. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Cook over medium heat. Stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Once ready, remove it from the heat and stir in chopped pecans. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface. Aim for a rectangle about twelve by fifteen inches. Then, spread melted butter over the dough. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly on top. This adds sweetness and spice. Next, roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Cut the log into twelve equal pieces. Place them cut side down in the greased baking pan. Cover the pan with a towel. Let the buns rise for another thirty minutes. After this rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the buns have risen, bake them for twenty-five to thirty minutes. They should turn golden brown. Allow the buns to cool in the pan for about five minutes. Then, carefully invert them onto a serving platter, so the caramel is on top. Enjoy your delicious creation! - Under-kneading the dough: Kneading helps develop gluten. This gives your buns a nice rise. If you skip this step, your buns may turn out dense. Knead until the dough feels smooth and elastic. - Skipping the rise times: Allowing the dough to rise is key. This step helps the yeast work. If you rush this, the buns won’t be fluffy. Always wait until the dough has doubled in size. - Tips for a smooth caramel: Use medium heat to melt your sugar. Stir gently and watch closely. If it gets too hot, it can burn. Stir until your caramel is bubbly and smooth. - Adjusting sweetness levels: Taste your caramel before pouring it. If it’s too sweet, add a pinch of salt. This can balance the flavors nicely. You want the richness without overwhelming sweetness. - Best serving temperature: Serve your sticky buns warm. This enhances the gooey caramel and soft texture. They taste best right out of the oven. - Presentation ideas: Drizzle extra caramel over the tops. Add whole pecans for a nice touch. Arrange them on a pretty platter to impress your guests. Pro Tips Fresh Yeast: Always check the expiration date on your yeast package to ensure it’s active for the best rise. Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your egg and butter are at room temperature for a smoother dough texture. Grease Well: Don’t skimp on greasing the baking pan to prevent the sticky buns from sticking to the bottom. Cooling Time: Allow the buns to cool slightly before inverting to prevent the caramel from running off. {{image_2}} You can switch things up with flavor variations. Adding chocolate chips to the dough gives a sweet twist. Just sprinkle a cup of chips when you add the brown sugar and cinnamon. This adds richness and fun to each bite. You can also adjust spices to your taste. If you like a warm touch, add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice. This small change makes a big difference in flavor. If you need dietary modifications, there are great options. For gluten-free buns, use a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend has xanthan gum for the best texture. You can also make these buns vegan. Replace the egg with a flax egg, made from one tablespoon of flaxseed meal and three tablespoons of water. Substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use vegan butter. Change up the toppings for more variety. Cream cheese frosting on top adds a creamy, sweet layer. Make it by mixing cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla. For a fruity touch, try adding sliced bananas or apples. You can switch nuts too! Walnuts or almonds work well, giving a different crunch. These small changes keep the recipe fresh and exciting. To keep your sticky buns fresh, store them properly. For short-term storage, place them in the fridge. Use an airtight container or cover them tightly with plastic wrap. They will last up to five days in the fridge. For long-term storage, consider freezing them. This method allows you to enjoy sticky buns later. Reheating your sticky buns is easy! The best method is using an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the buns on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. This method keeps the buns warm and soft. You can also use a microwave. Heat each bun for about 15 to 20 seconds. This will warm them quickly, but they may lose some texture. You can freeze sticky buns both before and after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble the buns in the pan, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze. Bake them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. For freezing after baking, let the buns cool completely. Wrap each bun in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will stay fresh for up to three months. You can use instant yeast as a great alternative. Use the same amount; there’s no need to activate it first. This speeds up the process since it can be mixed directly into the dry ingredients. If you don't have yeast, baking powder is another option. Use two teaspoons of baking powder for each packet of yeast. Just remember, using baking powder will change the texture and flavor slightly. You can prepare the dough in advance. After making the dough, let it rise. Then, cover it and place it in the fridge. You can leave it there overnight. When you are ready, take it out and let it come to room temperature. This saves you time on baking day. Another option is to prepare the sticky buns fully and refrigerate them. Just remember, make sure they rise while in the fridge. Yes, you can double the recipe easily. Just remember to double each ingredient. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the baking time. Check the buns a few minutes earlier. They might need a bit more time to bake fully, depending on your oven. In this blog post, we explored making sticky buns from scratch. We covered essential ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. We looked at tasty variations and smart storage solutions. Remember, careful kneading and proper rising are key. Whether you add chocolate or go vegan, these buns can fit your taste. Enjoy creating a warm treat that brightens any day! With these tips, you’ll impress everyone with your baking skills. Enjoy your sticky buns and share them with friends and family!

Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns

Delicious sticky buns topped with caramel and pecans, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk, warmed
  • 1 quarter cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 quarter cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 half teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 half cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 quarter cup light corn syrup
  • 1 quarter cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes or until frothy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, egg, vanilla, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix well.
  • Gradually add the flour, stirring until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the sticky caramel: In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture is smooth and bubbling. Remove from heat and stir in chopped pecans.
  • Pour the pecan caramel mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
  • Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle (about 12x15 inches).
  • Spread melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon evenly across the surface.
  • Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them cut side down in the prepared baking pan.
  • Cover the pan with a towel and let the buns rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the buns have risen, bake them for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Allow the buns to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving platter so the caramel is on top.

Notes

Drizzle with extra caramel sauce and garnish with whole pecans for an appealing finish. Serve warm for the best experience!
Keyword breakfast, caramel, dessert, pecans, sticky buns