Pecan Honey Sticky Buns (Printable)

Soft buns swirled with cinnamon sugar and pecans, baked in honey caramel for a decadent morning or evening treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a large bowl; let stand 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, and salt; mix well. Gradually add flour and stir 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 place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
04 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in honey, brown sugar, and salt until smooth. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in pecan halves. Pour sauce into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
05 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on a floured surface to a 16x12-inch rectangle.
06 - Spread softened butter evenly over the dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
07 - Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
08 - Arrange buns cut side down over the honey caramel sauce in the baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake buns for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
10 - Cool buns for 5 minutes, then invert pan onto a serving platter so the sticky pecan topping is on top. Serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors
  • Made with wholesome ingredients for a cozy treat
02 -
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground cardamom or nutmeg to the filling
  • These buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated gently in the microwave
03 -
  • Use warm milk to help activate the yeast better
  • Do not skip the resting times for dough to rise for best texture
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