Pecan Honey Sticky Buns (Printable Version)

Pillowy buns with cinnamon sugar, pecans, and honey caramel create a rich, sweet breakfast or dessert treat.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs

→ Filling

08 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
09 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

→ Honey Caramel Sauce

12 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
13 - 1/2 cup honey
14 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
15 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1 cup pecan halves

# Steps:

01 - Combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a large bowl and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate flour until a soft dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in honey, brown sugar, and salt until smooth. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and fold in pecan halves. Pour sauce into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
05 - Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface to a 16x12-inch rectangle.
06 - Spread softened butter evenly over the dough surface, then sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
07 - Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
08 - Arrange rolls cut side down over the honey caramel sauce in the baking dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, approximately 30 minutes.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
10 - Allow buns to cool for 5 minutes, then invert the pan onto a serving platter to release the sticky pecan topping. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Soft and gooey texture with a sweet honey caramel glaze
  • The perfect balance of cinnamon sugar and crunchy pecans
02 -
  • Use warm milk not hot to activate yeast properly
  • Let buns rise fully for fluffier texture
03 -
  • Do not skip the second rise for best texture
  • Slicing the buns evenly helps them cook uniformly
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