Pecan Honey Sticky Buns (Printable)

Pillowy buns featuring cinnamon, pecans, and honey caramel for a decadent 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 packed light brown sugar
09 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 cup roughly chopped pecans

→ Honey Caramel Sauce

12 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
13 - 1/2 cup honey
14 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
15 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
16 - 1/2 teaspoon 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 for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture; mix well. Gradually incorporate flour 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 area until doubled, about 1 hour.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in honey, brown sugar, and salt until smooth. Pour in heavy cream, simmer for 2 minutes while stirring continuously. Remove from heat and fold in pecan halves. Pour sauce into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
05 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on a floured surface into a 16 by 12-inch rectangle.
06 - Evenly spread softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
07 - Roll the dough tightly into a log starting from the long side. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
08 - Arrange buns cut side down over the honey caramel sauce in the baking 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 so the sticky pecan topping is on top. Serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • One pot meal
  • Freezer friendly
02 -
  • Adding cardamom or nutmeg to the filling enhances the flavor
  • Best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated gently in the microwave
03 -
  • Make sure the milk is warmed but not too hot to avoid killing the yeast
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place for the best texture
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