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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup warmed milk - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar - 1/4 cup corn syrup - 1/4 cup heavy cream - 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Gather these ingredients before you start. The all-purpose flour gives the buns their structure. Granulated sugar adds sweetness to the dough. Instant yeast helps the buns rise quickly. Salt enhances the flavors. The warmed milk activates the yeast. Unsalted butter adds richness to the dough. A large egg binds everything together. Vanilla extract gives a lovely aroma. Brown sugar brings a deep, caramel flavor. Corn syrup and heavy cream create a gooey filling. Pecans add crunch and nutty taste. Ground cinnamon spices up the mix. Make sure you have everything ready. This will help you stay organized. You can find all these items at your local grocery store. Enjoy the process of making these delicious sticky buns! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather your ingredients. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt together. This is your dry mix. In another bowl, whisk the warmed milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Slowly pour this wet mix into the dry mix. Stir until a dough forms. Now, knead the dough on a floured surface for five minutes. You want it smooth and soft. Once you have your dough, place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm spot for about one hour. It should double in size. This first rise is key for fluffy buns. While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined. After the dough has risen, punch it down. Roll it out into a rectangle, about 10 by 15 inches. Spread the caramel mixture over the rolled dough. Roll the dough tightly from one long side to the other. Cut the roll into 12 equal slices. Now, place the slices in the baking dish, on top of the caramel and pecans. Cover them with a cloth again. Let them rise for another 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) during this time. Bake the sticky buns for about 25 to 30 minutes. They should be golden brown when done. After baking, let the buns cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, invert them onto a serving platter. This lets the sticky caramel drizzle down over the buns. For an extra touch, sprinkle some chopped pecans on top. Serve warm and enjoy! To make great sticky buns, kneading is key. Knead the dough for about five minutes. Use your hands to push, fold, and turn the dough. You want it to feel smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add a little flour. How do you know when the dough has risen enough? Look for it to double in size. This usually takes about an hour. You can gently poke the dough. If it springs back slowly, it's ready. If it stays down, let it rise a bit longer. To keep your sticky buns fresh, store them in an airtight container. Let them cool completely first. This helps prevent sogginess. You can keep them at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, refrigerate them. When it’s time to enjoy your sticky buns again, reheating is simple. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the buns on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes. This keeps them warm and gooey. Want to add more flavor? You can try mixing in spices like nutmeg or ginger. They add a lovely warmth to the buns. For a fun twist, think about flavor variations. Instead of pecans, use walnuts or almonds. You can also add chocolate chips for a sweet touch. Dried fruit like raisins or cranberries can bring a nice tartness. Experiment and find your favorite mix! Pro Tips Perfect Dough Texture: The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. If it’s too dry, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Warm Rising Environment: For optimal rising, place the covered dough in a warm, draft-free area. You can create a warm space by preheating your oven to the lowest setting, then turning it off and placing the dough inside. Even Cinnamon Distribution: When adding the cinnamon to the filling, ensure that it is evenly sprinkled over the surface of the dough. This will give each bun a consistent flavor. Storage Tips: To keep the sticky buns fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just reheat in the oven when ready to enjoy. {{image_2}} If you want to skip nuts, that's easy! You can use seeds instead. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds work well as a crunchy topping. If you're allergic to nuts, try using more seeds or even oats for texture. They add a nice bite without the risk of allergies. For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Make sure it has xanthan gum for the best texture. If you want a vegan twist, use plant-based milk and replace the egg with a flaxseed egg. To adjust the sugar, use less brown sugar or a sugar substitute like stevia. This way, you can enjoy sweet sticky buns without all the sugar. Want to change up the flavor? Add chocolate chips or dried fruits like raisins or cranberries to the filling. They bring a new taste and texture to the buns. For seasonal fun, try adding pumpkin spice in the fall or peppermint extract in winter. Each holiday can have its own special sticky bun twist! To keep your caramel pecan sticky buns fresh, let them cool completely before storing. This helps prevent moisture buildup, which can make them soggy. Once cooled, place the sticky buns in an airtight container. You can also wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. This keeps them soft and prevents them from drying out. Use a glass or plastic container; both work well. You can freeze sticky buns for later enjoyment. To freeze, allow the buns to cool completely. Then, wrap each bun in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. This extra layer helps protect against freezer burn. Place the wrapped buns in a freezer-safe bag or container. When it's time to enjoy them, take out the buns and let them thaw in the fridge overnight. For a warm treat, reheat them in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes. Enjoy that gooey goodness again! Yes, you can make the dough early. Prepare it and let it rise. After the first rise, punch it down. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready, let it come to room temperature before rolling. If you lack instant yeast, use active dry yeast instead. Use the same amount. However, you must activate it first. Mix it with warm water and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly. Then, mix it with the dry ingredients. Yes, you can double the recipe easily. Just multiply each ingredient by two. Use a larger bowl for mixing. You may need to bake in batches. Keep an eye on the baking time. They may need a few extra minutes to bake fully. Check the color of the buns. They should be golden brown on top. You can also tap the bottom lightly; it should sound hollow. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. If they are done, let them cool slightly before serving. In this guide, I shared the key steps to make sticky buns, from ingredients to serving. You learned how to prepare the dough, let it rise, fill and bake it. I also provided tips on storage, variations, and enhancements for flavor. Sticky buns are fun to make and enjoy. With these simple instructions, you'll impress everyone with your baking skills. Now, get in the kitchen and create your own delicious version!

Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns

Delicious sticky buns topped with caramel and pecans.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet instant yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup milk, warmed
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup corn syrup
  • 0.25 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the warmed milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
  • First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • Make the Filling: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and cinnamon until well combined.
  • Prepare the Baking Dish: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread the pecans evenly over the bottom. Pour the caramel mixture over the pecans, spreading it out evenly.
  • Form the Buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a rectangle (about 10x15 inches). Spread the caramel mixture over the dough. Roll it up tightly from one long side to the other. Cut the roll into 12 even slices.
  • Second Rise: Place the cut dough pieces into the baking dish on top of the caramel and pecans. Cover with a cloth and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
  • Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the sticky buns for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
  • Serve: Let the buns cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter to let the sticky caramel drizzle over the buns.
  • Enjoy: Serve warm, and enjoy the gooey, caramel goodness with a sprinkle of extra pecans on top if desired.

Notes

Serve warm for the best experience.
Keyword caramel, pecans, sticky buns