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Soft & Gooey Brown Sugar Pecan Sticky Buns

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rise Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 55 minutes
Servings 12 Sticky Bun
Calories 400
These Brown Sugar Pecan Sticky Buns are soft, gooey, and baked to golden perfection with a glossy brown sugar glaze and toasted pecans on top. Made with a rich browned butter dough and sweet cinnamon filling, this homemade recipe is perfect for brunch, holidays, or whenever you’re craving cozy, bakery-style comfort. Ms. Apronista’s signature twist adds flavor, texture, and just the right amount of indulgence.

Equipment

  • Stand mixer with dough hook optional but helpful!
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Serrated knife or unflavored dental floss For clean slicing rolls!
  • Plastic wrap or kitchen towel
  • Spatula

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¾ cup whole milk (warmed)
  • ¼ cup browned butter (cool but liquid)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional, for extra sweetness)

Filling:

  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • ¼ cup softened butter
  • ½ cup toasted pecans (with sea salt and a pinch of cayenne)

Sticky Glaze:

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon

Topping:

  • Extra toasted pecans
  • Flaky sea salt (optional)
  • Cream cheese glaze drizzle (cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla)

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
    ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast, ¾ cup whole milk
  • Add egg, salt, maple syrup, and browned butter to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
    ¼ cup browned butter, 1 large egg, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp salt
  • Gradually mix in flour, kneading until dough is soft and smooth, about 8–10 minutes.
    3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
  • While dough rises, prepare sticky glaze by melting butter, brown sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat.
    1 cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup softened butter, ¼ cup honey
  • Stir until bubbly and thick, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour glaze into a greased 9x13-inch pan and sprinkle toasted pecans evenly over it.
    2 tbsp cinnamon, Optional: pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Punch down dough and roll out on a floured surface into a 12x18-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the butter. Scatter toasted pecans on top and gently press into dough.
    ½ cup toasted pecans, 1 cup brown sugar
  • Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces and arrange cut-side down over glaze in the pan.
  • Cover and let rolls rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and caramelized.
  • Let cool 5–10 minutes, then invert pan onto a serving platter to reveal the sticky glaze and pecans.
  • Optional: Drizzle with cream cheese glaze or sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.

Notes

Storing Your Sticky Buns:

  • Store cooled buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • If using the cream cheese glaze, refrigeration is best to keep it food-safe. (Let them come to room temp or gently reheat before serving.)

♨️ Reheating Tips:

  • Microwave individual buns for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness.
  • To reheat a whole pan, cover loosely with foil and warm in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.

🥄 Substitution Suggestions:

  • No browned butter? Regular melted butter will still make a fabulous dough—just skip the browning step.
  • No honey? Use maple syrup, light corn syrup, or even agave as your sticky glaze sweetener.
  • No pecans? Walnuts, chopped almonds, or even sunflower seeds (for a nut-free option) can be swapped in.
  • Make it dairy-free? Use a plant-based butter and milk—like oat or almond milk—and skip the cream cheese drizzle or use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
  • Make it eggless? Swap the egg for ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt for a similar richness.
Calories: 400kcal
Keyword: Baking, Brown Butter Sticky Buns, Cinnamon Pecan Sticky Buns, Cozy Bakes, Ms Apronista, Pecan Sticky Buns, Sticky Bun Recipe