Maple Pecan Sticky Buns

Featured in: Golden Breakfasts

Enjoy soft, fluffy rolls enhanced with a cinnamon sugar swirl and baked atop a rich maple-pecan caramel layer. The dough is carefully kneaded and allowed to rise twice to develop a perfect texture. The maple-pecan topping melts into a buttery caramel, complementing the sweet spice blend inside the rolls. These buns are ideal for a decadent morning meal or brunch treat, providing a satisfying blend of nutty, sweet, and buttery flavors.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:20:00 GMT
Soft, fluffy Maple Pecan Sticky Buns topped with warm maple-pecan caramel.  Save to Pinterest
Soft, fluffy Maple Pecan Sticky Buns topped with warm maple-pecan caramel. | honeyprairie.com

Soft fluffy rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar and baked atop a buttery maple-pecan caramel perfect for a decadent breakfast or brunch treat

I always look forward to making these sticky buns on the weekend because the whole house smells amazing and my family can't get enough

Ingredients

  • Dough: 3 ½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar 2 ¼ tsp (7 g) active dry yeast ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk warm ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter melted 2 large eggs room temperature 1 tsp salt
  • Filling: ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar packed 2 tsp ground cinnamon ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter softened
  • Maple-Pecan Topping: ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar packed ⅓ cup (80 ml) pure maple syrup 2 tbsp heavy cream 1 ½ cups (150 g) pecan halves

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl mix the warm milk yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy Add remaining sugar melted butter eggs and salt Mix in flour gradually until a soft dough forms Knead by hand or with a mixer for 7 8 minutes until smooth and elastic Place in a greased bowl cover and let rise in a warm spot for 11.5 hours or until doubled in size
Prepare the Maple-Pecan Topping:
While the dough rises melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat Stir in brown sugar maple syrup and cream Bring to a gentle simmer stirring until sugar dissolves Pour into a greased 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish Sprinkle pecan halves evenly over the maple mixture
Shape the Buns:
Punch down dough and turn onto a lightly floured surface Roll into a 16x12-inch (40x30 cm) rectangle Spread softened butter over dough Mix brown sugar and cinnamon then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough
Roll and Slice:
Starting from the long side roll dough into a tight log Slice into 12 equal pieces Arrange buns cut side up over the maple-pecan topping in the baking dish
Second Rise:
Cover and let buns rise for 3040 minutes until puffy
Bake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) Bake buns for 3035 minutes until golden brown and set If they brown too quickly cover loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes
Serve:
Let cool for 5 minutes then carefully invert the pan onto a serving tray so the maple-pecan topping is on top Serve warm
Indulge in warm Maple Pecan Sticky Buns with cinnamon swirls and rich topping.  Save to Pinterest
Indulge in warm Maple Pecan Sticky Buns with cinnamon swirls and rich topping. | honeyprairie.com

Sharing these buns fresh from the oven has become a cherished family tradition on chilly weekend mornings

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl Stand mixer (optional) Saucepan Rolling pin 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish Sharp knife or dental floss for slicing dough

Allergen Information

Contains Wheat (gluten) dairy (milk butter cream) eggs tree nuts (pecans) Double-check labels for potential cross-contamination if allergies are severe

Nutritional Information

Per serving Calories 420 Total Fat 22 g Carbohydrates 52 g Protein 6 g

Delicious Maple Pecan Sticky Buns, perfect for a comforting breakfast treat. Save to Pinterest
Delicious Maple Pecan Sticky Buns, perfect for a comforting breakfast treat. | honeyprairie.com

These sticky buns are perfect for a special breakfast treat that will impress friends and family alike

Questions & Answers

How can I ensure the dough rises properly?

Use warm milk and active dry yeast, allowing the dough to rest in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in size, typically 1 to 1.5 hours.

Can I substitute other nuts for pecans?

Yes, walnuts can be used as an alternative to pecans for a similar texture and flavor profile.

What is the best way to slice the rolled dough evenly?

Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into equal pieces without squashing the dough.

How do I prevent the buns from over-browning?

If the tops brown too quickly during baking, loosely cover the buns with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Can these buns be reheated

Yes, gently reheat the buns to preserve their softness and bring out the buttery caramel flavors.

Maple Pecan Sticky Buns

Fluffy rolls with cinnamon sugar and a maple-pecan caramel topping for a rich breakfast treat.

Prep duration
30 minutes
Cook duration
35 minutes
Overall time needed
65 minutes
Recipe by Honey Prairie Abigail Greene


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine type American

Makes 12 Number of portions

Diet specifications Meatless

What You'll Need

Dough

01 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 3/4 cup whole milk, warm
05 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 1 teaspoon salt

Filling

01 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
02 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

Maple-Pecan Topping

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter
02 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
03 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
04 2 tablespoons heavy cream
05 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

How to Make It

Step 01

Activate Yeast: Combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a large bowl. Allow to rest for 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 02

Prepare Dough: Add remaining sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate flour until a soft dough forms. Knead by hand or with a mixer for 7 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm location for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.

Step 03

Make Maple-Pecan Topping: While dough rises, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, and cream. Simmer gently, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Evenly distribute pecan halves over the topping.

Step 04

Shape Rolls: Punch down the dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over dough surface.

Step 05

Add Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the buttered dough.

Step 06

Form Rolls: Roll dough tightly from long edge into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces and arrange cut side up over the maple-pecan topping in the baking dish.

Step 07

Second Proofing: Cover the dish and allow rolls to rise for 30 to 40 minutes until puffy.

Step 08

Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 30 to 35 minutes until golden and set. If browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the final 10 minutes.

Step 09

Cool and Serve: Let the rolls cool for 5 minutes. Invert pan onto a serving platter to release the maple-pecan topping. Serve warm.

Essential tools

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Stand mixer (optional)
  • Saucepan
  • Rolling pin
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Sharp knife or dental floss for slicing dough

Allergy Details

Go through all ingredients to spot potential allergies. If unsure, check with a health expert.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy (milk, butter, cream), eggs, and tree nuts (pecans).

Nutrition details (per portion)

Details for informational use only — not a substitute for a medical professional.
  • Energy (calories): 420
  • Lipids: 22 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Proteins: 6 g