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Pecan Sticky Buns

5 from 2 votes
Bree HesterBy Bree Hester
Bree Hester
Bree Hester Founder of Baked Bree

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. O…

Expertise: Recipe developer, food photographer and writer View all posts →
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This Pecan Sticky Bun recipe is one of the most insanely delicious things that I have ever made in my entire life. Those are some serious words, I do not take them lightly. I had half of a batch of my No Knead Challah Dough leftover and usually, I would make cinnamon rolls with them.

Butterscotch Pecan Blondie with caramel and pecans on a decorative plate.

This Pecan Sticky Bun recipe is one of the most insanely delicious things that I have ever made in my entire life. Those are some serious words, I do not take them lightly. I had half of a batch of my No Knead Challah Dough leftover and usually, I would make cinnamon rolls with them. Cinnamon rolls are the one thing all of my children love, the one thing that they all agree on as a treat. I saw the recipe for Flour’s Sticky Buns on the Food Network and instead of using brioche-like they do, I used my challah dough. Sometimes I get an idea in my head for a recipe and think that it is going to be good and turn out, this exceeded any expectation that I ever had. Joanne Chang, the owner of Flour in Boston, starts by making what she calls “the goo”. It is a mixture of butter, brown sugar, honey, cream, water, and salt. It makes the best “sticky” in the world. The rolls are tender, the pecans add just enough crunch, and truly there is nothing better.

If you are in the market for a Christmas morning breakfast idea, I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than this.

Buttery ingredients and baking supplies for homemade baked goods on wooden table.

Pecan Sticky Buns Ingredients

The Goo:

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the sticky buns:

  • 1/2 batch No Knead Challah Dough
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • pinch cinnamon
  • 1 cup toasted pecan halves (I leave half whole, and chop the other half)
Sweet potato casserole with pecans on a green ceramic plate, baked dessert recipe, cozy fall treat, bakedbree.com.

How to Make – The Steps

Step 1: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and cook until combined. If it separates, don’t worry about it. It all comes together in the end.

Step 2: Take the butter mixture off of the heat, and whisk in the honey, cream, water, and salt.

Step 3: Let cool for 30 minutes. At this point, you can put this into an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Step 4: Pour the goo into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Scatter some of the whole pecans on top of the goo.

Step 5: Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 12×16 inches.

Step 6: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.

Step 7: Scatter the sugar mixture over the dough. Roll the dough up, trim off the ends, and slice into 1 1/2 inch pieces.

Step 8: Place the rolls cut side up on top of the goo. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and let proof until almost doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Step 9: Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes. The rolls will be golden brown.

Step 10: Let the buns cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Do not rush this step, if the goo does not cool a bit, the goo will run all over the place. Place a platter on top of the baking dish and quickly and carefully flip it over.

Welcome to sticky bun heaven.

Step 11: These are best eaten right away. But you can reheat them in a 325 oven for about 10 minutes.

Butterscotch pecan muffin with caramel topping on a turquoise plate.
Sweet potato casserole with pecans on a green ceramic plate, baked dessert recipe, cozy fall treat, bakedbree.com.

Pecan Sticky Buns

Bree Hester
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 14
Calories 339 kcal

Ingredients
  

The Goo:

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the sticky buns:

  • 1/2 batch No Knead Challah Dough
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • 1 cup toasted pecan halves I leave half whole, and chop the other half

Instructions
 

  • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and cook until combined. If it separates, don’t worry about it. It all comes together in the end.
    Hot caramel melting in a saucepan with a thermometer probe for cooking.
  • Take the butter mixture off of the heat, and whisk in the honey, cream, water, and salt.
    Baked Bree, homemade bread dough mixing in a stand mixer, preparing fresh baking recipe.
  • Let cool for 30 minutes. At this point, you can put this into an airtight container and leave it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    Hot caramel melting in a saucepan with a thermometer probe for cooking.
  • Pour the goo into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Scatter some the whole pecans on top of the goo.
    Sweet pecan praline caramel in a glass baking dish with toasted pecans on top.
  • Roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 12×16 inches.
    Soft, kneaded dough resting on a floured countertop, ready for baking or shaping.
  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans.
    Brown sugar and chopped pecans in a white bowl for baking recipes, close-up.
  • Scatter the sugar mixture over the dough. Roll the dough up, trim off the ends, and slice into 1 1/2 inch pieces.
    Flaky dough with chopped nuts on a floured surface for baking.
  • Place the rolls cut side up on top of the goo. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and let proof until almost doubled in size, about 2 hours.
    Freshly baked cinnamon rolls with pecans in caramel sauce in a glass baking dish, homemade sweet breakfast treat.
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes. The rolls will be golden brown.
    Fluffy cinnamon rolls with pecans baked fresh in a glass dish.
  • Let the buns cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Do not rush this step, if the goo does not cool a bit, the goo will run all over the place. Place a platter on top of the baking dish and quickly and carefully flip it over.
    Rich caramel fudge, cooling on a tray with a glossy, smooth surface. Perfect for homemade candy recipes and seasonal treats.
  • These are best eaten right away. But you can reheat them in a 325 oven for about 10 minutes.
    Sweet potato casserole with pecans on a green ceramic plate, baked dessert recipe, cozy fall treat, bakedbree.com.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 205mgFiber: 1g
Keyword Pecan Sticky Buns
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Bree Hester

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. Over the years it has evolved into so much more than that. While Bree may have hung up her apron for the last time, the reins have now been passed over to a passionate team of foodies.

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Published: Sep 8, 2024 | Updated: Feb 19, 2026
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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