There is something utterly magical about the indulgent, gooey delight found in a homemade Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe. These soft, pillowy buns drenched in rich caramel and cinnamon-spiced sweetness bring warmth and comfort right to your kitchen. Each bite is a heavenly harmony of buttery dough, velvety caramel topping, and the perfect touch of pecans for crunch. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating bakery-quality sticky buns at home, this recipe will become your new favorite go-to treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple and essential ingredients come together seamlessly in this Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe. Each component plays its own part in crafting a soft dough, an irresistibly spiced filling, and a luscious caramel topping that sticks beautifully to every bite.
- Warm milk: Activates the yeast to gently start the dough rising, ensuring a tender texture.
- Active dry yeast: The secret behind light, fluffy buns with a slight airy lift.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the cinnamon and deepen flavor.
- Eggs: Enrich the dough, lending moisture and richness for softness.
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Essential for flavor and to keep the dough tender, plus it’s part of the gooey filling and caramel top.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- All-purpose flour: The base of your dough, giving structure while remaining soft.
- Brown sugar (packed): Provides deep, molasses notes in both the filling and caramel topping.
- Ground cinnamon: This warm spice is key for that classic sticky bun flavor.
- Corn syrup or honey: Helps create a smooth, sticky caramel glaze.
- Heavy cream: Adds creaminess to the caramel sauce for that luscious texture.
- Chopped pecans (optional): Adds delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the sweet buns.
How to Make Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by combining warm milk and yeast in a large bowl, letting it sit until foamy for about 5 to 10 minutes. This activation is crucial for that airy, fluffy texture that makes sticky buns so irresistible. Then, add sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt. Gradually stir in the flour until you have a soft dough that’s easy to handle.
Step 2: Knead and Rise
Knead your dough either by hand or with a dough hook attachment for about 6 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. This kneading creates strength in the dough that holds all the delicious bubbles the yeast produces. Place it in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Topping
While the dough authors its magic, melt butter over medium heat for the caramel topping, then whisk in brown sugar, corn syrup (or honey), heavy cream, and salt. Cook gently until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour this luscious caramel into a greased 9×13-inch pan and spread chopped pecans on top if you’d like that extra crunch.
Step 4: Prepare the Filling and Roll the Dough
Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling, creating a classic cinnamon-sugar blend that infuses every bite. After your dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out to a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread the filling evenly across this canvas, then roll it tightly from one long edge. Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal rolls to create those perfect individual sticky buns.
Step 5: Assemble and Final Rise
Place each roll cut side down into the caramel-lined pan. Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until they’re nice and puffy. This final rise ensures that the buns will be tender and soft, soaking up the caramel topping beautifully during baking.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buns for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Let them cool for a few minutes, then carefully invert the pan onto a tray to reveal that glossy caramel top dripping over the sticky buns. Serve them warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up with every bite.
How to Serve Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a delicate sweetness and pretty finish. If you like a little extra flair, a drizzle of vanilla icing or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can elevate the caramel flavor wonderfully. Toasted pecans or walnuts on top add that final touch of crunch and nuttiness.
Side Dishes
These sticky buns pair beautifully with fresh berries or a tangy fruit compote to cut through the sweetness. A cup of rich coffee or creamy spiced chai makes for the perfect beverage sidekick. For a brunch spread, serve alongside scrambled eggs or crispy bacon to balance sweet and savory.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual sticky buns on charming plates with a small dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone on the side. Alternatively, turn them into mini sliders filled with cream cheese frosting for a decadent dessert twist. For festive occasions, add edible flowers or caramel drizzle patterns on the serving tray to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover sticky buns are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They remain soft and delicious, but make sure they’re fully cooled before storing to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked sticky buns after the first rise by covering the pan tightly with plastic wrap and foil. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and allow a final rise at room temperature before baking. Baked buns freeze well too—wrap individually or in a container for up to three months.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked softness, warm sticky buns in a 300°F oven for about 10-15 minutes or microwave gently for 20-30 seconds. Adding a little extra drizzle of warm caramel or butter before warming will keep them moist and spectacular.
FAQs
Can I make this Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Keep in mind the texture may be slightly different, but the flavors will remain delicious and satisfying.
What can I use instead of corn syrup in the caramel topping?
If you don’t have corn syrup, honey is a perfect natural substitution. It adds subtle floral notes and helps create that sticky, smooth caramel glaze integral to the recipe.
Can these sticky buns be made vegan?
Yes! Swap dairy butter for vegan butter, use a flax or chia egg instead of chicken eggs, and substitute milk with plant-based milk heated to warm temperature for yeast activation.
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
The dough should double in size and look puffed. A good test is to gently poke it with your finger—if the indentation remains and doesn’t spring back, it’s ready for the next step.
Why are my sticky buns not sticky?
Make sure you’re using enough butter and sugar in the caramel topping and pour it into a well-greased pan. Also, flipping the buns out of the pan immediately after baking helps coat them thoroughly with that caramel glaze.
Final Thoughts
This Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that’s guaranteed to fill your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and happy smiles. Soft dough, a luscious cinnamon filling, and that buttery caramel topping make it a comforting treat worth savoring. I encourage you to roll up your sleeves, gather these simple ingredients, and dive into creating your own batch of sticky-sweet joy—you won’t regret a single bite!
Print
Caramel Sticky 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
Delight in these Caramel Sticky Buns, a perfect combination of soft, cinnamon-spiced dough rolled with a buttery filling and topped with luscious caramel and crunchy pecans. Ideal for breakfast or dessert, these homemade sweet rolls are baked to golden perfection and feature a rich, gooey topping that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Caramel Topping:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup corn syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast and Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Add granulated sugar, eggs, melted butter, and salt to the mixture, stirring to combine. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Knead and Rise Dough: Knead the dough either by hand or using a dough hook attachment for 6–8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Caramel Topping: While the dough is rising, melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup (or honey), heavy cream, and salt. Cook the mixture for 3–5 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour the caramel into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, then sprinkle chopped pecans evenly on top if using.
- Make Filling and Shape Rolls: Combine softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a bowl for the filling. After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly from the long edge to form a log, then cut into 12 equal rolls.
- Second Rise: Arrange the rolls cut side down into the baking dish over the caramel topping. Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the rolls to cool for 5 minutes after baking. Carefully invert the pan onto a large serving tray or board to release the sticky buns with the caramel topping. Serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- These buns are best enjoyed the day they’re made but can be reheated the next day to refresh their softness.
- To make ahead, prepare the dough and filling up to the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning as directed.
