Pecan Honey Sticky Buns (Printable)

Pillowy buns layered with cinnamon, pecans, and honey caramel for a warm, sweet indulgence.

# 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 tsp) active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 tsp 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 tsp 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 tsp salt
17 - 1 cup pecan halves

# How to Make It:

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 to the yeast mixture. Mix well. Gradually add flour, stirring 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 spot until doubled, 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, simmer for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in pecan halves. Pour sauce into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
05 - Punch down risen dough. Roll out on a floured surface to a 16 x 12 inch rectangle.
06 - Spread softened butter evenly over dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
07 - Starting from the long edge, roll dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
08 - Arrange buns cut side down over the honey caramel sauce in the prepared dish. Cover and let rise until puffy, about 30 minutes.
09 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake buns for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
10 - Cool for 5 minutes, then invert the pan onto a serving platter to showcase the sticky pecan topping. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Soft pillowy texture with cinnamon sugar and pecans
  • Baked in a luscious honey caramel sauce for decadent flavor
02 -
  • Add a pinch of ground cardamom or nutmeg to the filling for extra flavor
  • These buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated gently in the microwave
03 -
  • Use warm milk at the right temperature to activate yeast properly
  • Allow the dough to rise fully for best soft texture
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