Old Fashioned Sticky Buns

This old fashioned sticky buns recipe is pure caramel pecan goodness! Each bite is full of soft dough and delicious brown sugar filling. If you like cinnamon rolls, you will love these incredible sticky buns with flowing caramel and crunchy pecans.

I also chose to make a gooey sticky bun recipe because they are some of my husband's very favorite sweets I make. He just loves them!

For more delicious breakfast rolls, try my Pumpkin cinnamon roll recipe with cream cheese frosting or my tasty Raspberry Sweet Rolls. Or how about these yummy strawberry and cream rolls?

Why you'll love it

Comfort food- A warm gooey sticky bun is such a great comfort food. They can be enjoyed for breakfast or a treat any time of the day. I love recipes like this because they’re fun to make at home and can be a special gift for your loved ones. The recipient will be so grateful that you took the time to bring them something homemade.

Simplicity- Some doughs can be complicated to make, but not this one! It is made with a straight dough method where all ingredients are added at the same time and mixed together.

Ingredients

Whole wheat flour -I used a mixture of these two flours to create the ideal fluffy texture. I used white winter wheat, but you can use red wheat if that's all you have on hand. 100 percent whole wheat recipes can be a bit grainy and nutty tasting, which some people aren't the biggest fans of. A flour mixture is a great way to introduce whole wheat flour without overpowering the baked good.

All-purpose flour- This flour adds structure to your dough and works with whole wheat flour to create fluffy rolls you just love to sink your teeth into. Using all-purpose flour helps mellow out the taste of whole wheat and makes the dough lighter than 100 percent whole wheat would.

Eggs-Eggs add structure to the dough. These caramel pecan rolls use my brioche dough recipe, which calls for three eggs. The number of eggs gives it that classic richness that’s so distinct in brioche. 

Milk- Milk is the liquid that binds the dough together. Technically you can use water here, but milk makes for a richer dough and helps the rolls turn a beautiful golden brown.

Active dry yeast- This recipe uses active dry yeast, not instant yeast. With Instant yeast, you can mix it with dry ingredients, but that's not the case for this recipe. Instead, you'll have to proof the yeast first, then mix the yeast mixture into the remaining ingredients. 

Brown sugar- You can use dark brown sugar or light brown sugar. The latter will create a lighter-tasting filling because it has less molasses. I chose dark brown sugar for this recipe because it added a deeper flavor.

Butter- The fat in butter keeps the dough moist; in brioche recipes, lots of butter is a must. Butter serves two purposes for these sticky buns. The first is in the dough, and the second is to hold the filling before you roll it up. Unsalted butter is ideal for baking as it allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe.

Corn syrup- Corn syrups like Karo help make the sticky caramel. It stops the sugar from crystallizing and becoming grainy while baking, so it’s smooth and flowing when you invert your baked rolls.

Vanilla extract- Using flavor extract creates a great base flavor for these sticky buns. Vanilla is a wonderful complement to caramel and brown sugar to create depth.

Pecans- You can use whole or chopped pecans in this recipe. If you're not a fan of pecans, walnuts are a tasty alternative for this recipe; they’re just not traditionally used.

Ground cinnamon gives the sticky buns all the delicious cinnamon flavor! For a twist, you can also use pumpkin pie or apple pie spice blends.

How to make old-fashioned sticky buns

Prepare the dough

The first step to making sticky buns is to prepare the dough; you'll want to use a stand mixer and dough hook for this recipe. This particular dough is made in a straight dough method. Which means all ingredients are thrown in and mixed together.

I love my Bosch mixer for jobs just like this. It is powerful and efficient!

Make the caramel topping

• Combine the brown sugar mixture in a small bowl. Mix well.
• Spread the mixture in the bottom of your baking pan.
• Sprinkle the pecans evenly on top of the caramel sauce and set aside to cool slightly.

Make the cinnamon sugar mixture

• In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until a spreadable paste forms.

Assemble the sticky buns

• Roll the dough out, and form a rectangle about 18x24 inches on a lightly floured surface.
• Spread the cinnamon filling mixture across the dough, leaving a one-inch gap at the bottom. You will need this to crimp the bread closed. Then, roll the dough tightly and pinch it closed.
• Cut into 1 ½-2 inch pieces. A sharp knife or dental floss works best for this. You'll want to avoid pressing down on the blade too much. Otherwise, you'll smash the rolls. Add the rolls to the baking dish with the caramel filling. Cover and let the dough rise until doubled.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees while the rolls are rising. Once the rolls are doubled in size, place them into the oven.
• Bake for about 20 minutes; some ovens may run a little hot or require a couple of extra minutes, so keep a close eye on them. They should just be light golden brown.
• Remove from the pan by running a knife along the edges to ensure no rolls stick to the side when flipped. Invert almost immediately onto a plate and let the buns cool slightly.

These are best served right away while they are warm. Honestly, though, I am not too picky; I will take them any way I can get them! Seriously though, read the book, try these rolls, and your life will be much better! I can promise you that

Tips

• Proof the yeast- Sometimes, bread turns out less than ideal because the yeast does not bloom correctly. When properly proofed, the bowl of yeast should look light in color and puffy. If the yeast has simply fallen to the bottom of the bowl or done nothing, it did not work and will not make your rolls rise. Aside from old yeast, using too hot or cold liquid may inactivate the yeast. Ideally, your proofing liquid should be lukewarm, around 110 degrees. You can test this with a thermometer if you're unsure. If your yeast doesn't prove correctly at first, always feel free to try again in a different bowl, troubleshooting any issues you may think caused it to fail.
• Double-check your ingredients- Some ingredients in this recipe, such as butter, are used multiple times. Be sure at every step you double-check the amount used and the form it should be in (softened, melted butter, etc.)
• Take your time- While this recipe is not hard to master, it does require patience and close attention to detail. However, there’s something very soothing about following longer recipes, especially the satisfaction that comes when you bite into the best sticky bun you’ve ever had! Don’t rush the process, and put love into the effort. It’s noticeable! 
• Be careful! - When you are inverting these sticky buns the caramel is still very hot. You do not want to get this on you, so be careful when you are flipping it over.

• Desserts
• Yeasted Breads
• White Whole Wheat Flour