Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
User Reviews
5
Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
Description
The dough for Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns is prepared by warming milk and combining it with butter, sugar, salt, yeast, and egg, then gradually adding flour to form a soft, elastic dough. The buns are filled with a mixture of softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, rolled up and cut into individual pieces. They are topped with a homemade caramel sauce, which blends butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, heavy cream, and vanilla to create a smooth, sticky coating. Chopped pecans add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor layered over the caramel.
The buns bake until golden brown and offer a combination of tender bread, spiced sweetness, rich caramel, and nutty crunch in each bite. They suit decadence at breakfast, brunch, or dessert. The cinnamon filling balances the buttery caramel, while the pecans contribute texture and flavor depth.
The recipe allows flexibility to omit nuts for a nut-free version or substitute honey for corn syrup if desired. This adaptability makes the sticky buns accessible to different dietary needs or ingredient availability without compromising the essence of the recipe.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup milk 2% or whole preferred, not skim
- ¼ cup butter 4 tablespoons, usually salted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast or active dry yeast
- 1 large egg
- 3 to 4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
Caramel:
- 10 tablespoons butter usually salted
- 1 ¼ cup cup cups light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 1 to 1 ½ to 1 ½ cups pecans coarsely chopped
Filling:
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- For the dough, heat the milk in a medium saucepan or in a microwave-safe bowl or liquid measuring cup until the milk is scalded (which is basically heating it until right before it simmers - it will start steaming and little bubbles will form around the edges).
- Pour the milk into the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook (or you can do this by hand with a large bowl and wooden spoon).
- Add the butter, sugar and salt. Mix until the butter is melted, and let the mixture cool until warm (if you dip a finger in, it should feel like a warm bath – not too hot, not too cold, just right).
- Stir in the yeast and let rest for 5-7 minutes until the yeast is foamy (technically, you don't need to let the yeast activate before adding the flour, but I find in yeast bread recipes with milk, the dough rises quicker/better if I let the yeast activate first).
- With the mixer running, add the egg and then gradually add the flour until the dough clears the sides of the bowl. The exact amount will depend on the temperature, humidity and how you measure flour. The dough should be soft and just slightly sticky without leaving a lot of residue on your fingers. Don't over flour!
- Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until soft and smooth.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rise until doubled, about an hour.
- While the dough rises, prep the caramel pecan mixture. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Heat over medium heat until butter is melted, sugar is dissolved, and mixture is well-combined (try not to let it simmer). Off the heat, whisk in the cream and the vanilla until well-combined.
- Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan. Spread the caramel mixture evenly in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle pecans over the top. Set aside until the caramel mixture has cooled to room temperature or just slightly warm.
- Roll or press the dough into a 10X16-inch rectangle. Spread the 4 tablespoons butter over the top. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the butter.
- Starting with one long end, roll up the dough into a semi-tight log (without stretching or pulling the dough!). Using a serrated knife or unflavored dental floss or thread, cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
- Place the rolls in the pan (3 across, 4 down). Cover with a lightly greased plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise until noticeably puffy and the sides of the rolls are touching.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 20-25 minutes until rolls are lightly golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes (too long and the caramel will harden and make the buns hard to turn out - too short and the caramel will be too runny).
- Loosen the edges of the rolls with a butter knife. Place a parchment lined baking sheet (or serving tray) upside down on top of the pan of buns and grabbing the edges of both the baking sheet and 9X13-inch pan, flip over, giving a light tap on the counter, so the rolls turn out onto the baking sheet.
- Scrape any additional caramel and pecans over the buns. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Pecans can be omitted to make a nut-free version of these caramel sticky buns.
- Honey can be used as a substitute for corn syrup in the caramel if preferred or if corn syrup is unavailable.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12buns
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 bun | |
| Calories | 556kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 70g | 23% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 310mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 44g | 88% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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