Description
These gooey maple pecan sticky buns are the ultimate comfort food, featuring a soft, fluffy dough, a double layer of maple caramel sauce, and crunchy toasted pecans. Perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or a holiday brunch, they come together in just over an hour with simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F
- ¼ cup (60ml) warm water
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, very soft
- ½ cup (110g) packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (120g) pecan halves, toasted and roughly chopped
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (110g) packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup (80ml) pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (120g) pecan halves
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 2 cups of the flour, the sugar, yeast, and salt. In a separate small bowl, combine the warm milk, warm water, and softened butter. Add the wet ingredients and the egg to the dry ingredients. Mix on low with the dough hook until just combined. Gradually add the remaining 1 ½ cups of flour, one half cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is smooth and slightly tacky.
- First Rise: Knead the dough in the mixer for about 5-7 minutes on medium speed. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Make the Sticky Topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the ½ cup of butter for the topping. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup, whisking constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Let it bubble gently for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Pour this caramel into the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan. Spread it evenly, then sprinkle the 1 cup of pecan halves over the top in an even layer. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Assemble the Filling: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a rectangle about 12 inches wide and 18 inches long. In a small bowl, mix the soft butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon for the filling into a paste. Spread this paste evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a ½-inch border on one of the long edges. Sprinkle the chopped toasted pecans over the butter mixture.
- Roll and Cut: Starting from the long edge opposite the border, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal it. Using a sharp serrated knife or unflavored dental floss, cut the log into 12 equal pieces.
- Second Rise: Place the rolls cut-side up in the prepared pan, spacing them evenly. Cover the pan with the towel and let them rise for another 25-30 minutes, until they are puffy and touching each other.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the sticky buns for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and the caramel is bubbling around the edges. The internal temperature should be around 190°F.
- The Flip: Let the pan cool on a wire rack for exactly 3 minutes. Place a large serving platter or cutting board over the top of the pan. Using oven mitts, carefully and quickly invert the pan onto the platter. Let it sit for a few seconds, then slowly lift the pan off. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For the best texture, make sure your egg and milk are at room temperature. Cold ingredients can shock the yeast and slow down the rise. If you are dairy-free, you can swap the whole milk for oat milk and use a vegan butter stick. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: sticky buns, maple pecan, homemade, breakfast, brunch, comfort food, easy recipe