Can I prepare sticky buns the night before and bake them in the morning?

Absolutely! After arranging the buns in the pan, cover tightly and chill overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and finish rising (about 45 minutes) before baking as directed. This is a great way to have fresh, hot sticky buns for breakfast with minimal morning effort.

Can I substitute the pecans with another nut or leave them out?

Yes, feel free to use walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of your favorites. If you’re nut-free, simply skip them—the buns will still have plenty of flavor and that irresistible sticky topping.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries—this dough can be mixed by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon and kneaded for a few extra minutes to reach that smooth, elastic texture. Your hands might get a little sticky, but it’s all part of the fun.

How do I know when the buns are done baking?

Look for a deep golden brown color and check the centers—they shouldn’t be doughy. You can gently lift a bun from the center; if it feels set and the bottom is bubbling with caramel, they’re ready!

Sticky Buns Recipe - Emilyscook

Name: Sticky Buns Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup warm milk; 1 package active dry yeast; 1/2 cup sugar; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 egg; 2 yolks; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting counter; 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1/4 cup honey; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) coarsely chopped pecans; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Imagine pulling apart a warm, gooey bun with caramelized edges and crunchy pecans, letting the sweet aroma fill your kitchen. Sticky Buns are a true baking delight, transforming basic pantry staples into a breakfast or dessert that feels sophisticated yet so comforting. These buns come together without any complicated techniques and are ready in just over an hour—perfect for those busy days when you crave something decadent, fast. Whether you’re fueling a weekday morning or need an indulgent weekend brunch, these irresistible sticky buns deliver a winning combination of soft, buttery dough, sweet cinnamon swirls, and a pecan-studded caramel topping.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Steps, Amazing Results: There’s no need for advanced baking skills. The process is straightforward, and each step builds towards a showstopping treat.
Ready in a Flash: From mixing to baking, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen than you’d expect for such a stunning pastry. These buns can be on your table in about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Family-Friendly: Kids can easily help with mixing, rolling, or sprinkling pecans. It’s a fantastic hands-on activity!
Totally Customizable: Have fun experimenting with flavors, nuts, or glazes. There’s room to make it your own.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about what goes into these mouthwatering sticky buns and why each one matters:

Warm Milk: The foundation for getting your yeast going. Use milk that’s just warm, not hot, or you’ll risk killing the yeast.
Active Dry Yeast: This is what gives your buns that pillowy rise. Be sure your yeast is fresh for the best lift.
Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to activate the yeast.
Unsalted Butter: Throughout the dough, filling, and especially the topping, butter makes every layer rich, soft, and ultra-flavorful.
Egg + Egg Yolks: These add color and an almost brioche-like tenderness to the dough.
Salt: Balances sweetness; don’t skip it.
Vanilla Extract: For that warm, inviting depth of flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough. Use extra for dusting your counter so nothing sticks.
Light Brown Sugar: For both the topping and filling—brings a beautiful caramel note.
Honey: Makes the sticky caramel base even more luscious and flavorful.
Coarsely Chopped Pecans: Adds toasty crunch to each bite. Walnuts or mixed nuts would also work if you want to switch it up.
Ground Cinnamon: That classic warm spice in the filling, making your house smell incredible.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Feel like mixing things up? Try these fun spins on the classic:

Nut-Free: Skip the pecans, or replace them with sunflower seeds for crunch without nuts.
Fruit Swirl: Add dried cranberries, raisins, or even small bits of apple to the filling for a fruity twist.
Spice It Up: Use pumpkin pie spice or cardamom instead of (or with) the cinnamon for a new flavor profile.
Maple Touch: Swap honey for maple syrup in the topping for a deeper, woodsy sweetness.

How to Make Sticky Buns

1. Activate the Yeast

Warm the milk (not too hot!) and mix in the yeast and half of the sugar. Let it stand for about 8-10 minutes until it gets foamy. This means your yeast is awake and ready to create fluffy buns.

2. Prepare Wet Ingredients

Melt the butter, then whisk in the egg, yolks, vanilla, and the remaining sugar. This mixture gives your dough its unbeatable softness.

3. Form the Dough

Combine the yeast mixture, buttery egg mixture, and half the flour in your stand mixer (or use a big bowl and sturdy spoon if you prefer). Stir, then add the rest of the flour and switch to the dough hook for a 5-minute knead until you have a smooth, elastic dough.

4. Knead by Hand and Rise

Knead the dough on a floured surface for a couple of minutes. You’re aiming for a soft, elastic feel that bounces back when pressed. Place it in a buttered bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 2 hours until doubled.

5. Make the Topping

While your dough is rising, melt butter with brown sugar, honey, and salt in a small pot. Let it all melt together, then pour into a buttered 9×13 dish. Sprinkle pecans all over this gorgeous caramel base.

6. Roll Out the Dough

After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently roll or stretch it into a rectangle, about 12×18 inches.

7. Fill and Roll

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, melt some more butter, and brush it all over your rectangle of dough. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Roll up tightly from the long edge, creating a log.

8. Slice and Assemble

Cut the log into 12 even pieces. Arrange the buns, swirl-side up, on top of the pecan-caramel base in your baking dish.

9. Bake

Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes. If they’re browning too quickly, tent with foil halfway through. They should smell amazing and look puffed and golden.

10. Flip and Serve

Let them rest for a few minutes, then run a knife around the edges, and carefully invert the whole tray onto a platter. All that sticky, nutty caramel will coat the tops beautifully.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Temperature Check: Milk above 110°F can kill yeast. If you’re unsure, use a thermometer, or test with your finger—it should feel warm, not hot.
Proper Rising: For a speedy rise, place your covered dough in a slightly warm (but turned off) oven or near a radiator.
Roll Evenly: Use gentle, even pressure to roll the dough into a rectangle. This keeps the buns uniform and helps the filling stay inside.
Slicing Trick: Dental floss (unscented!) works wonders for slicing the rolled dough into buns without squishing.
Sticky But Not Messy: When flipping, hold the tray and platter together with oven mitts, then flip quickly but carefully to keep all that caramel in place.

How to Serve

Sticky buns are pure comfort served warm from the oven, when the topping is gooey and the centers are tender. Pair with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a classic breakfast treat. For a brunch spread, consider serving fresh fruit, a light green salad, or a dollop of Greek yogurt on the side. These buns also make a delightful dessert served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent twist.

Tip: If you like extra goo, drizzle with a bit of warmed honey or maple syrup right before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, cover sticky buns in the baking dish or transfer to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezing

Sticky buns freeze beautifully! Wrap individually in plastic and freeze in a bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.

Reheating

Warm buns in a 300°F oven covered with foil for 10 minutes, or microwave individual buns for 30-45 seconds. This revives their softness and makes the topping melty again.

FAQs

Can I prepare sticky buns the night before and bake them in the morning?

Absolutely! After arranging the buns in the pan, cover tightly and chill overnight. The next morning, let them come to room temperature and finish rising (about 45 minutes) before baking as directed. This is a great way to have fresh, hot sticky buns for breakfast with minimal morning effort.
Can I substitute the pecans with another nut or leave them out?

Yes, feel free to use walnuts, almonds, or even a mix of your favorites. If you’re nut-free, simply skip them—the buns will still have plenty of flavor and that irresistible sticky topping.
What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries—this dough can be mixed by hand with a sturdy wooden spoon and kneaded for a few extra minutes to reach that smooth, elastic texture. Your hands might get a little sticky, but it’s all part of the fun.
How do I know when the buns are done baking?

Look for a deep golden brown color and check the centers—they shouldn’t be doughy. You can gently lift a bun from the center; if it feels set and the bottom is bubbling with caramel, they’re ready!

Final Thoughts

Sticky buns are the ultimate comfort bake that brings together the best of gooey caramel, tender dough, and toasty pecans into one unforgettable bite. Don’t let the steps intimidate you; the payoff is more than worth it. Give this recipe a try, make it your own, and enjoy seeing these gorgeous buns disappear—fast! Happy baking!