Learn how to make bakery quality Pecan Sticky Buns at home with this step-by-step guide. A fluffy yeast dough, cinnamon sugar filling and a gooey pecan topping make these sticky buns irresistible.
Is there anything better than a homemade sticky bun fresh from the oven? It’s a toss up whether I love these buns or my Apple Cinnamon Rolls more on a cold winter day.
What is the Difference Between Sticky Buns and Cinnamon Rolls?
Sticky buns and cinnamon rolls are nearly identical at first glance. Depending on the recipe, they both use yeast leavened dough rolled into pinwheels full of cinnamon sugar.
The main difference is that sticky buns include nuts while cinnamon rolls (typically) do not.
Cinnamon rolls are often topped with cream cheese frosting whereas pecan sticky buns have a brown sugar topping that turns to a gooey glaze as they bake. That’s what makes them “sticky”.
- A cross between pecan pie, cinnamon rolls, and monkey bread!
- Flipped upside down (like a pineapple upside down cake) so the gooey pecan topping drips down into the cinnamon roll when warm.
Looking for a similar ooey gooey dessert? After your holiday dinner of turkey and sweet potato casserole, don’t forget a big slice of pumpkin pie.
Ingredient Notes
- Yeast – Either active dry yeast or Instant yeast can be used in this recipe. Make sure to check the expiration date on your package; old yeast won’t rise.
- Whole milk – Warm milk is used to proof the yeast and add liquid to the dough.
- Unsalted butter – We prefer unsalted to have more control over the saltiness of the baked buns. You can use salted if that’s what you have. Just omit the added kosher salt.
- Light brown sugar – This is what gives the pecan buns their sticky, gooey, golden brown topping.
Instructions
Making Pecan Sticky Buns starts by proofing the yeast with warm milk and sugar. When the yeast mixture is frothy, add the liquid then dry ingredients for the dough. Mix and knead until it feels soft, stretchy and supple.
Now, let the dough rise for at least an hour in a warm place.
To make the pecan topping, sprinkle pecans over the bottom of a baking dish. Combine the remaining topping ingredients in a sauce pan on the stove, then pour it over the pecans.
Once the dough is risen, roll it out into a rectangle and add the cinnamon sugar filling. Roll into a log, cut into 12 pieces, and place them on the baking sheet with the pecan topping.
Cover, let rise for an additional hour, then bake and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Cover the buns halfway through baking time. This keeps the tops of the buns from browning to quickly.
- After baking, place a platter over the top of the baking dish. Flip the dish over to remove the buns from the pan with the pecan filling on top.
- Pecan Sticky Buns taste best served warm. Leftover buns can be reheated in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
- Store leftover sticky buns covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months!
- Serve with extra caramel sauce or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
Recipe FAQs
Since making pecan sticky buns from scratch is time intensive, we often like to prepare the dough the night before.
To make the buns ahead of time, follow all the steps in the recipe instructions for making and assembling the rolls. Then cover the pan with foil and store in the refrigerator overnight.
Take the unbaked buns out of the refrigerator about an hour before baking to bring them to room temperature. Preheat the oven and bake as directed.
You can absolutely knead the dough by hand. It will take longer but hand kneading works perfectly fine.
If your dough hasn’t visibly risen after an hour, chances are your yeast is dead. That’s why it’s so important to proof the yeast in the first step of this recipe.
Your dough will also rise much more slowly if the temperature of the room is too cold. Make sure to place it in a spot no cooler than room temperature.
Baking yeast is made of single celled microorganisms that need to be alive (active) to work in bread recipes.
The act of proofing the dough can tell you whether or not your yeast is active.
In this sticky bun recipe, you will proof the dough by dissolving it in warm milk with sugar. After 5 minutes, the mixture should become bubbly and foamy as the live yeast releases carbon dioxide bubbles.
If there’s no hint of foaminess in your yeast mixture after 10 minutes, your yeast is probably dead. Grab a fresh packet and try again!
More Breakfast Favorites
- Waffle Recipe
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Quiche Recipe
- Blueberry Sweet Rolls
- Baked Chocolate Donuts
- Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Holiday Breakfast Recipes
See all Breakfast and Brunch recipes
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Pecan Sticky Buns
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup whole milk warmed
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 2 packets active dry yeast or instant yeast
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
For the Topping
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ½ cups chopped pecans
For the Filling
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
For the dough:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the warmed milk with sugars and yeast. Lightly whisk, then let the yeast proof for about 5 minutes.
- Add in butter, eggs and vanilla extract, mix to combine.
- Using the dough hook attachment, add in salt and flour. Mix on medium speed until a soft dough begins to form.
- Once all the flour has been added, increase the speed to medium high and been for about 5 minutes longer, kneading the dough until it is soft and supple.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise for about one hour (in a warm, dry place), until it doubles in size.
For the Topping:
- Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 13×9 baking dish (we use the deepest one we own)! Spread pecans in the bottom of the baking dish. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, milk, and salt. Cook until it begins to simmer.
- Once simmering, cook for 2 full minutes. Remove from heat. Pour into the baking dish, over the pecans. Do not stir. Set aside.
For the Filling:
- Turn the dough after it has risen onto a lightly floured counter. Using a rolling pin, roll dough to about a 15×21-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the rolled out dough.
- In a small bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon. Sprinkle over butter on the dough.
- Roll dough into a log, rolling the long side up. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces. Place each sticky bun into the baking dish, on top of the pecan mixture.
- Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and allow to rise for an additional hour.
To Bake:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bake uncovered for about 30-35 minutes. Halfway through the bake time, cover loosely with foil to keep the rolls from browning too quickly.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool about 5 minutes on wire rack (or stove top). Using hot pad or oven mitts, place a platter (or a wire rack) over the top of the baking dish. Flip both the dish and platter together to release the buns (the pecan topping will now be on top). Serve warm.
Notes
- Be sure to check the expiration date of your yeast. Make sure it is FRESH. Proofing the yeast is important. You'll see it get frothy after about 5 minutes.
- Don't be concerned if the butter doesn't mix well during step 2. Once you add the flour it will blend better into the dough.
- If you do not have a dough hook, knead the dough by hand during step 3 and 4.
- Make Ahead. If making the night before, follow the steps through assembly, by completely all the step until "for the filling" step 3. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, remove from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature, about 1-2 hours.
- Store leftover rolls in refrigerator for up to 5 days (heat in microwave to re-warm the rolls). Or freeze baked rolls for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Homemade Pecan Sticky Buns make any morning cozier!
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