There’s something incredibly comforting and downright irresistible about a warm batch of cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven, but when you add a luscious sticky pecan topping, you elevate that comfort to a whole new level. This Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe promises soft, fluffy dough swirled with sweet cinnamon sugar and crowned with a rich, gooey layer of caramelized pecans that will have everyone reaching for seconds. It’s the perfect treat to brighten your morning or impress guests at brunch, filled with textures and flavors that sing in harmony. Get ready to dive into a haven of cinnamon-spiced bliss with every bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple staples you probably have lurking in your pantry and fridge, each playing a crucial role in crafting that perfect Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe. From the tender, yeasty dough to the sticky, nutty topping, every element contributes flavor, texture, and that classic cinnamon roll warmth.
- Warm milk (110°F): Activates the yeast and adds moisture for a soft dough.
- Active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons): Powers the dough’s rise ensuring fluffy cinnamon buns.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the dough subtly and helps with browning.
- Large eggs (2, room temperature): Add richness and structure to the dough.
- Unsalted butter (⅓ cup melted for dough, plus more for filling and topping): Brings tenderness, flavor, and that luscious gooey texture.
- All-purpose flour (4 to 4 ½ cups): The backbone of the dough, giving it structure and chew.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances depth of flavor.
- Brown sugar (1 cup packed for filling, ¾ cup packed for topping): Adds caramel notes and pairs perfectly with cinnamon and pecans.
- Ground cinnamon (2 ½ tablespoons): The star spice that fills each roll with warm, cozy flavor.
- Honey (¼ cup): Boosts the sticky, rich quality of the pecan topping.
- Heavy cream (2 tablespoons): Adds silkiness to the sticky topping.
- Chopped pecans (1 ½ cups): Provide crunch and nutty goodness to finish the buns spectacularly.
How to Make Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Dough
Begin by mixing warm milk and yeast in a large bowl. Let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes until you see a foamy surface—that’s your yeast waking up and ready to create those soft, airy buns. Then stir in granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt, blending everything well. Gradually add your flour until a soft dough takes shape. Knead this dough for about 5 to 7 minutes until it turns smooth and elastic, which is key for those perfectly tender cinnamon rolls. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for one to one and a half hours until it doubles in size.
Step 2: Make the Sticky Pecan Topping
While your dough is rising, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat for the sticky topping. Add brown sugar, honey, and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until it’s smooth and glossy. Pour this irresistible sauce evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, and sprinkle the chopped pecans on top, creating a gorgeous nutty base that will caramelize during baking.
Step 3: Roll and Fill the Dough
Once the dough has doubled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly across the surface. This filling is where the heart of the Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe truly shines—each roll infused with sweet, spicy swirls.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal rolls. Place these cinnamon rolls cut-side down atop the sticky pecan mixture in your baking dish. Cover and let them rise for another 30 to 45 minutes until fluffy and puffy.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cinnamon buns for 30 to 35 minutes or until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. After baking, allow the dish to cool for about 5 minutes—then carefully invert it onto a serving tray, letting all the sticky pecan goodness coat each bun beautifully. This finishing move is magic that makes the Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe so unforgettable!
How to Serve Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe
Garnishes
Although these buns come beautifully topped with pecans and sticky caramel, you can add a drizzle of cream cheese icing or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance and sweetness. Freshly chopped pecans or a few cinnamon dustings on top also make for lovely, inviting garnishes that make your presentation pop.
Side Dishes
Sticky pecan cinnamon buns are perfect on their own, but pairing them with fresh fruit, like sliced strawberries or blueberries, adds fresh brightness to balance their richness. A cup of hot coffee, chai tea, or even a warming latte will elevate your cinnamon bun experience to cozy morning perfection.
Creative Ways to Present
Tuck each cinnamon bun into individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets for an adorable single-serve presentation. You could also slice them and serve them stacked with layers of cream cheese frosting between for a cinnamon bun “cake.” For gatherings, arrange the buns on a wooden board or tiered stand to showcase their gooey pecan topping front and center.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for four to five days. Reheating gently will bring back their warmth and soft texture so you don’t miss a crumb.
Freezing
You can definitely freeze these cinnamon buns! Freeze the unbaked rolls after the first rise in a covered dish or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, let them rise a final time, then bake as usual. Baked buns can also be frozen and reheated later to recapture that fresh-baked feeling.
Reheating
To reheat, pop your buns in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes wrapped loosely in foil. This brings back their gooey, just-baked texture that makes every bite dreamy.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds make tasty alternatives if pecans aren’t your favorite or what you have on hand. They’ll provide a similar crunch and complement the cinnamon and caramel flavors beautifully.
Is it necessary to invert the buns after baking?
Yes, flipping the buns onto a serving tray helps release the sticky pecan topping evenly over each roll, creating the signature gooey, nutty layer that defines this recipe.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and assemble the rolls the night before, then refrigerate them overnight. Just let them come to room temperature before finishing the final rise and baking.
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
Properly risen dough should double in size and look puffy and soft to the touch. Press a finger gently into the dough; if the indentation remains, it’s ready for the next step.
Can I add a glaze or frosting to these buns?
While the sticky pecan topping is plenty indulgent, a simple cream cheese glaze or vanilla icing can be a delightful extra drizzle if you want to amp up the sweetness and creamy texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s no better way to fill your kitchen with the smell of warm cinnamon, caramel, and toasted pecans than with this Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe. It’s a showstopper that blends classic comfort with that luxurious sticky pecan finish, perfect for weekends, special breakfasts, or anytime you want a little homemade indulgence. Trust me, once you bake a batch of these buns, they’ll quickly become a cherished favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
Print
Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 buns
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns are soft, gooey, and packed with sweet cinnamon filling and a rich, sticky pecan topping. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they combine a tender yeast dough rolled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and baked atop a luscious buttery pecan glaze that caramelizes during baking. The result is irresistibly sticky, nutty buns that are sure to impress and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter (softened)
Sticky Pecan Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Make Dough: Add granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly. Gradually stir in 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface or in the bowl for 5–7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Sticky Pecan Topping: Meanwhile, melt ½ cup unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, honey, and heavy cream. Cook and stir for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and combined. Pour this sticky mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and evenly sprinkle chopped pecans over it.
- Make Filling Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup packed brown sugar with 2 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon.
- Roll Out Dough: After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
- Add Filling: Spread softened butter evenly over the rolled-out dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log shape. Cut the log into 12 evenly sized rolls.
- Second Rise: Arrange the rolls cut-side down on top of the sticky pecan mixture in the baking dish. Cover and allow them to rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Invert and Serve: Let the pan cool for 5 minutes, then carefully invert the baking dish onto a serving tray so the sticky pecan topping coats the buns. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the rolls the night before and refrigerate them overnight before the final rise and baking. Remember to let them come to room temperature before baking.
- Add a touch of orange zest to the filling for a bright, citrusy twist that complements the cinnamon and pecans.
