Prepare Time
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup milk (2% or whole)
- ¼ cup butter (salted)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon instant or active dry yeast
- 1 large egg
- 3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
Caramel:
- 10 tablespoons butter (salted)
- 1 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 to 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped pecans
Filling:
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions
- Dough: Warm the milk and butter until the butter melts. Add the sugar and salt, stirring until dissolved. Cool to lukewarm, then add the yeast, egg, and enough flour to form a soft dough. Knead until smooth, then let rise until doubled.
- Caramel: Combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and add cream and vanilla. Pour into a greased baking dish, sprinkling pecans over the top.
- Filling: Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread with softened butter, and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up, slice into buns, and place over the caramel and pecans in the baking dish. Let rise until nearly doubled, then bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly, then invert onto a plate so the caramel and pecans are on top.
Cook Notes
The key to perfect sticky buns is in the rise. Ensure your yeast is fresh for the dough to rise correctly, and don’t rush the second rise over the caramel and pecans.
Variations
- Chocolate Chip Pecan: Add chocolate chips to the filling for a decadent twist.
- Maple Walnut: Substitute maple syrup for corn syrup and walnuts for pecans for a different flavor profile.
Keto Version
For a keto-friendly version, use almond flour in place of all-purpose flour, a sugar substitute for both granulated and brown sugars, and a low-carb syrup instead of corn syrup.
Low-Carb Version
Follow the keto version’s guidelines but focus on keeping the overall carbohydrate count low, adjusting the amounts of substitute ingredients as necessary.
Nutrition Fact
Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns are a treat best enjoyed in moderation, as they are high in calories, sugars, and fats. The exact nutritional values will depend on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients used. For a healthier option, consider reducing the amount of caramel and using whole wheat flour for the dough.
