Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. After the first rise, cover the dough tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it come to room temperature before rolling, filling, and proceeding with the recipe.

Do I need a stand mixer?

A stand mixer makes the kneading process hands-off and reliable, but making the dough by hand is entirely possible. It’s a bit of an arm workout—knead for about 8-10 minutes until elastic.

What if I don’t have pecans?

No worries! Walnuts, slivered almonds, or even sunflower seeds can be swapped in, or left out entirely for a smooth caramel finish.

Can I halve the recipe?

Certainly—simply halve all the ingredients and bake in an 8x8 dish. Check for doneness a little earlier, as smaller batches may bake quicker.

Sticky Buns Recipe - LazyDayRecipes

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 tsp vanilla extract; 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting); 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1/4 cup honey; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) coarsely chopped pecans; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

There’s something almost magical about pulling a pan of fresh sticky buns from the oven—the golden, spiraled buns nestled into gooey caramel with the crunch of toasted pecans. These sticky buns are the definition of indulgence: soft, pillowy dough, swirls of cinnamon sugar, and a luscious, nutty caramel topping that soaks into every crevice. What’s truly amazing? The process is straightforward and totally doable even on a weeknight, thanks to clear steps and ingredients you can find anywhere. Whether you’re treating family on a busy evening or spoiling yourself on a Sunday morning, this sticky bun recipe is sure to become a beloved go-to.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistibly Delicious: With rich, buttery dough and a sticky caramel-pecan layer, every bite is sweet, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth soft.
Accessible Ingredients: Everything needed is pantry-friendly—no specialty items required.
Simple Methods: If you’ve never made dough from scratch, this recipe is the perfect place to start. Yeast, sugar, and warmth do most of the work.
Crowd-Pleaser: The aroma alone will draw people to the kitchen. These sticky buns are a guaranteed hit for gatherings, brunch, or even dessert.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Busy schedule? The dough can rise while you go about your chores or even overnight in the fridge for morning baking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dough

Warm Milk: Just warm enough to activate the yeast and help the dough become tender.
Active Dry Yeast: Brings life and lightness—don’t skip the activation step!
Sugar: Split between feeding the yeast and sweetening the dough itself.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and a satisfying softness to every bite.
Egg & Egg Yolks: Provides structure and makes the dough extra plush—don’t be tempted to use just whole eggs.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Vanilla Extract: The secret ingredient for a fragrant, bakery-quality bun.
All-Purpose Flour: The classic choice here—be generous with flour for dusting, too.

For the Topping

Light Brown Sugar: Melts into the gooey, caramel sauce you’ll crave.
Unsalted Butter: Essential for that glossy caramel base.
Honey: Adds depth, a silky texture, and elevated sweetness.
Salt: Makes the caramel pop and keeps it from being too sweet.
Pecans: The texture hero—chopped coarsely for a satisfying crunch in every bite.

For the Filling

Light Brown Sugar: For irresistible cinnamon sweetness inside each swirl.
Ground Cinnamon: The heart of any sticky bun—don’t shy away!
Melted Butter: Helps the filling cling and swirl for that signature marbled look.

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

Nut Swap: Not a pecan fan? Walnuts or almonds work beautifully, or skip nuts for a smooth caramel top.
Spice Adventure: Try adding a bit of cardamom or nutmeg alongside the cinnamon for a deeper, more complex aroma.
Raisin Addition: Sprinkle in some raisins or currants with the filling for a classic twist.
Gluten-Free: Substitute your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour blend, but note, the texture will vary slightly.
Mini Buns: Instead of 12 large buns, cut the log into 16 smaller pieces for bite-sized treats—perfect for brunch parties.

How to Make Sticky Buns

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Gently warm the milk so it’s cozy but not hot—think baby bathwater. Combine it with the yeast and a portion of sugar. Give it 8-10 minutes; you’ll know it’s ready when it’s foamy and fragrant.

Step 2: Prepare Wet Ingredients

Melt the butter, then whisk in the egg yolks, whole egg, vanilla, and remaining sugar. Pour both the yeast mixture and this buttery mix into your mixer bowl.

Step 3: Make the Dough

Add half of your flour and stir until just combined, then add the rest. Switch to a dough hook, and let the mixer knead on medium for about 5 minutes—it should pull away from the sides easily.

Step 4: Knead & Proof

Transfer the dough to a floured work surface, knead by hand 2-3 minutes until it’s bouncy and elastic. Grease a large bowl, cover, and let the dough rise until doubled—about 2 hours.

Step 5: Prepare the Topping

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, butter, and salt on low. Cook just until smooth and melded—no need to boil. Pour it into a generously buttered 9×13 baking dish, then scatter the pecans overtop.

Step 6: Shape the Buns

Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches. Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly. Starting from a long edge, roll up tightly. Slice into 12 pinwheels and nestle swirls-up in the baking dish.

Step 7: Bake

Bake in a 375°F oven for 30-35 minutes, golden and puffed. If browning too fast, loosely tent with foil halfway through. Once out, let cool briefly, then invert onto a platter so all that sticky caramel covers each bun.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Read the Yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh—old yeast won’t foam and your buns won’t rise.
Don’t Rush Rising: Give the dough the full time to double. Cooler kitchens may require extra time, so be patient.
Even Slicing: Use dental floss (unflavored!) for clean spiral cuts—just slide it under, cross on top, and pull for perfectly shaped buns.
Invert While Warm: Flip the buns soon after they come out—waiting too long means the caramel sets, making them harder to release.
Butter Generously: Don’t skimp when buttering your pan; sticky buns need a nonstick environment so none of that caramel goodness gets left behind.

How to Serve

Sticky buns are happiest piled high on a platter, still warm, with that glossy caramel cascading over the sides. They’re delightful alongside a simple cup of coffee or tea for breakfast, or as an indulgent dessert after dinner. For a brunch spread, serve with a bowl of fresh berries or a tangy yogurt to balance the sweet richness. If you really want to impress, a dollop of whipped cream on the side takes these buns over the top.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any extras (good luck!) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’ll stay gooey, but a quick reheat works wonders.

Freezing

Sticky buns freeze well—just wrap tightly in foil or a freezer bag. Thaw at room temp, or microwave for a speedy solution.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked magic, warm in a low oven (around 300°F) covered loosely with foil, or give each bun a 15-second zap in the microwave.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. After the first rise, cover the dough tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it come to room temperature before rolling, filling, and proceeding with the recipe.
Do I need a stand mixer?

A stand mixer makes the kneading process hands-off and reliable, but making the dough by hand is entirely possible. It’s a bit of an arm workout—knead for about 8-10 minutes until elastic.
What if I don’t have pecans?

No worries! Walnuts, slivered almonds, or even sunflower seeds can be swapped in, or left out entirely for a smooth caramel finish.
Can I halve the recipe?

Certainly—simply halve all the ingredients and bake in an 8×8 dish. Check for doneness a little earlier, as smaller batches may bake quicker.

Final Thoughts

There’s no denying the pure comfort and joy that comes from a tray of homemade sticky buns. This recipe is designed to be approachable and rewarding, even for novice bakers, while still producing the kind of sticky, fragrant, nutty buns you’d expect at your favorite bakery. Don’t wait for a special occasion—treat yourself and those you love to this irresistibly delicious treat soon. There’s true happiness in every bite!