If you have a hankering for something irresistibly sweet, warm, and utterly comforting, look no further than the World’s Best Sticky Buns Recipe. These sticky buns boast a tender, buttery dough layered with a luscious cinnamon-sugar filling, all crowned with a glossy, gooey caramel pecan topping that will have your kitchen smelling like heaven. Each bite offers the perfect balance of soft, sticky, sweet, and nutty, making these buns the ultimate treat for breakfast, brunch, or any time you crave a special indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind the World’s Best Sticky Buns Recipe lies in a handful of simple, quality ingredients that come together beautifully to create complex flavors and perfect textures. Each one plays a vital role, from the richness of eggs and butter to the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, ensuring every bite is nothing short of extraordinary.
- 3 large eggs: Provide structure and richness to the dough for soft, tender buns.
- â…“ cup packed light brown sugar: Adds gentle sweetness and moistness to the dough.
- ¾ cup buttermilk: Contributes tanginess and helps tenderize the dough.
- 2 tsp kosher salt (or 1 tsp table salt): Enhances flavor, balancing sweetness and highlighting spices.
- 2 tsp instant yeast: Ensures the dough rises properly, delivering light, fluffy buns.
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (melted): Enriches the dough for a tender crumb and subtle flavor.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting): The foundation of the dough, providing structure and chew.
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter: Used in the caramel pecan sauce for richness.
- â…” cup packed light brown sugar: Sweetens the caramel topping and deepens flavor.
- 3 tbsp buttermilk: Added to the caramel to enrich its texture.
- 1 cup toasted pecans (coarsely chopped): Adds crunch and nutty depth to the sticky topping.
- 1 pinch kosher salt: Balances the sweetness in the caramel pecan topping.
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Central to the cinnamon-sugar filling that makes every bite melodic.
- 1-2 tbsp ground cinnamon: Packs warm aromatic flavor that partners perfectly with sugar.
- 1 tsp nutmeg: Adds subtle spicy notes to elevate the filling.
- 2-3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted): Brushed on the dough before adding filling for rich moisture.
How to Make World’s Best Sticky Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking your eggs in a large bowl until smooth and uniform. Then add the brown sugar, buttermilk, salt, yeast, and melted butter, whisking until everything is fully combined. You might notice some clumping, but that’s perfectly fine. Next, stir in the flour until a cohesive dough ball forms. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for two minutes until the dough is silky and smooth. Pop it back into the bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature until it roughly doubles in size, about two hours. This rise time develops flavor and gives you those soft, fluffy buns you’re craving.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Pecan Sauce
While your dough is rising, place butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally as the sugar dissolves and the mixture bubbles up, about two minutes. Then whisk in the buttermilk, toasted pecans, and a pinch of salt. Pour this heavenly sticky sauce evenly into the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish—the base where all the gooey goodness will settle.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This fragrant blend will bring warmth and depth to every bite and complements the caramel topping perfectly.
Step 4: Shape and Fill the Buns
Turn your risen dough onto a floured surface and roll out into a roughly 16-by-12-inch rectangle. With a pastry brush, gently coat the surface with melted butter, ensuring you leave about an inch border along the top edge. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered surface, then spread it with your hands so every bit is covered. Roll the dough up tightly like a jelly roll, using a bench scraper if needed for neat edges. Pinch the seam closed and turn it seam-side down for stability.
Step 5: Slice and Proof
Use a sharp knife to slice the roll into 12 even pieces. The easiest method is cutting it in half, then each half into halves, and then slicing each quarter into thirds. Nestle these rolls swirl-side up into your prepared baking dish with caramel pecan sauce, arranging the end pieces cut-side down for a tidy look. Cover again and let them rise until doubled, about two hours. This final rise ensures your buns are pillowy and perfectly shaped before baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F, and place the baking dish in the middle rack. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, rotating once halfway through for even golden-brown coloring. When done, the buns will be beautifully puffed and caramelized on top. Let them cool for five minutes before inverting onto a serving platter—make sure to scoop up all that sticky caramel goodness from the pan and drizzle it generously over the buns.
How to Serve World’s Best Sticky Buns Recipe
Garnishes
For an added touch of charm, try a light dusting of powdered sugar over the buns for a snowy finish. Alternatively, a drizzle of cream cheese glaze or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans elevates texture and visual appeal. Fresh berries can also add a bright contrast to the sticky richness.
Side Dishes
Sticky buns pair wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance out the sweetness. A cup of strong coffee or chai tea complements the cinnamony warmth, making your indulgence feel like a special occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests, serve individual sticky buns on pretty plates topped with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a decadent brunch dessert. For a family-style approach, present the entire pan in the center of the table, letting everyone dig in and enjoy the gooey, sticky fun together.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container, these sticky buns stay fresh at room temperature for up to two days. Keep them away from drafts to maintain softness and moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze baked sticky buns by wrapping each individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag or container. They will keep for up to three months, perfect for those moments when you want a quick sweet treat waiting in your freezer.
Reheating
To bring your sticky buns back to life, warm them gently in a microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes. This restores their gooey texture and fresh-baked warmth, making them taste just as lovely as the day you made them.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice added to it to mimic the acidity of buttermilk. This helps tenderize the dough similarly and maintains the delicate texture.
Do I have to use pecans in the caramel sauce?
Pecans add delightful crunch and a nutty flavor, but if you have allergies or prefer a different nut, walnuts work well too. You can also omit nuts entirely for a smooth caramel topping if desired.
Can I prepare the dough the night before?
Absolutely! After kneading, you can refrigerate the dough overnight. Just bring it back to room temperature and allow a final rise before rolling and assembling the buns the next day.
What’s the best way to cut sticky buns without squishing them?
Use a very sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion. You can also chill the rolled dough in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to firm it up before slicing, which makes cleaner cuts easier.
Are these sticky buns suitable for freezing before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled buns after the second rise by wrapping the baking dish tightly. When ready to bake, let them thaw and rise a bit before placing in the oven for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to wow yourself and your loved ones, the World’s Best Sticky Buns Recipe is a must-try. The combination of tender dough, sweet spiced filling, and that indulgent caramel pecan topping is pure comfort on a plate. Once you make these sticky buns, you’ll understand why they’ve earned this title and why they belong in your recipe collection forever.
Print
World’s Best Sticky Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 sticky buns
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These World’s Best Sticky Buns are a deliciously indulgent treat featuring a soft, tender dough rolled with a cinnamon-sugar filling, baked atop a gooey caramel pecan sauce. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these sticky buns offer a harmonious blend of caramelized pecans, warm spices, and buttery sweetness that simply melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 large eggs
- â…“ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp kosher salt or 1 tsp table salt
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
Caramel Pecan Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- â…” cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Filling
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1–2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2–3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Make the dough: Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until homogeneous. Add the brown sugar, buttermilk, salt, yeast, and melted butter and whisk until the mixture is uniform, though it may appear slightly clumpy. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon until a cohesive dough ball forms.
- Knead and rise: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 minutes until smooth and silky. Return it to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature until roughly doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- Prepare caramel pecan sauce: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter and brown sugar, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in buttermilk, chopped pecans, and salt. Pour evenly into the bottom of a 13×9-inch glass baking dish.
- Make the filling: Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl and set aside.
- Roll out dough: Place the risen dough on a floured surface. Shape it into a rough rectangle, then roll with a rolling pin into a rectangle about 16 inches long by 12 inches wide. Position the short edge facing you.
- Apply filling: Brush the dough with melted butter, leaving a 1-inch border at the top edge. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar-nutmeg mixture over the buttered area and spread with your hands.
- Form rolls: Roll the dough jelly-roll style into a tight cylinder, using a bench scraper if needed. Seal the seam and place the roll seam-side down. Shape evenly with your hands.
- Slice rolls: Use a sharp knife to cut the roll into 12 equal slices by halving the roll, then halving each half, and finally cutting each section into thirds.
- Arrange and second rise: Nestle the 12 rolls cut-side down in the prepared baking dish over the caramel pecan sauce, with the swirl pattern facing up. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours. Rolls should be puffed and touching.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the middle. Bake rolls for about 30 minutes, rotating once, until golden brown and well puffed.
- Cool and serve: Allow buns to rest for 5 minutes after baking. Invert them carefully onto a serving platter, scraping and spooning any excess caramel sauce from the pan back over the buns.
Notes
- For an overnight rise, cover the shaped rolls and refrigerate after the second rise; bake in the morning.
- Use freshly toasted pecans for maximum flavor and crunch.
- Ensure the dough is kneaded enough to develop a soft, elastic texture but avoid over-kneading.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes.
