If you are craving something that perfectly balances gooey caramel sweetness with the tender, fluffy goodness of freshly baked dough, you have to try this Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe. These buns are a heavenly bring-together of rich caramel sauce, warm cinnamon-scented filling, and soft, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re treating yourself for weekend brunch or impressing friends at a gathering, this recipe promises comfort and indulgence with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind these Caramel Sticky Buns starts with a few simple ingredients, each playing an essential role to create the perfect harmony of flavor, texture, and richness. From the mellow sweetness of brown sugar to the warmth of cinnamon and the buttery, tender dough, every element is indispensable.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup for caramel, 1/4 cup melted for dough, 1/4 cup softened for filling): Butter provides richness, moisture, and that luscious mouthfeel crucial for sticky buns.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup packed for caramel, 1/2 cup packed for filling): Its deep molasses notes give the caramel and filling their signature warm sweetness.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup for caramel): Adds creaminess and helps create that velvety caramel sauce that coats the buns perfectly.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon for caramel): Brightens and complements the sweetness with a delicate aromatic touch.
- All-purpose flour (3 1/2 cups): The backbone of the dough, providing structure and tenderness.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Adds subtle sweetness and helps yeast activation.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): Essential for the dough’s rise, creating those light, fluffy buns.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- Whole milk (1/2 cup warmed): Hydrates the yeast and enriches the dough for softness.
- Eggs (2 large, room temperature): Provide richness, tenderness, and help bind the dough together.
- Ground cinnamon (2 teaspoons for filling): Offers that classic spicy warmth that makes sticky buns irresistible.
- Optional chopped pecans or walnuts (1/2 cup): Adds delightful crunch and nutty flavor, if you like a bit of texture contrast.
How to Make Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Topping
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir in brown sugar and heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract to infuse that warm, fragrant note. Pour the caramel evenly into the prepared pan—this sticky layer will be the luscious topping once the buns are baked and inverted.
Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt. Carefully add the warmed milk to activate the yeast, followed by melted butter and room-temperature eggs. Stir and mix until a soft dough forms, then transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5 to 7 minutes until it’s smooth, elastic, and springs back when pressed. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about an hour. This rise is crucial for that tender, airy texture you’ll love.
Step 3: Shape and Fill the Buns
Roll your dough out into a generous 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly across the surface, then sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture all over, making sure every inch is coated. If you love nuts, scatter those chopped pecans or walnuts evenly across the filling for delightful crunch in every bite. Roll the dough tightly from the long side into a log, then cut it into 12 equal slices. Arrange these rolls carefully on top of the caramel in your baking pan, cover them again, and let rise for an additional 20 to 30 minutes—this helps the buns puff up beautifully during baking.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place your pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The buns should puff up, turn golden brown, and develop that irresistible sticky sheen. Once baked, allow them to cool for about 5 minutes. The key to serving these beauties is inverting the pan onto a serving plate so the caramel topping becomes a glossy, rich cover. Serve warm for that melt-in-your-mouth caramel experience you won’t forget.
How to Serve Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe
Garnishes
While these buns are stunning on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar can add a charming, snowy finish. For extra delight, drizzle a bit of cream cheese glaze or a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts on top for texture and decoration. Freshly sliced fruit like strawberries or a few mint leaves can brighten the presentation for guests.
Side Dishes
Caramel sticky buns pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea. For a more substantial meal, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or creamy scrambled eggs to balance the sweet richness. A dollop of Greek yogurt with honey also complements the buns beautifully, adding tang and protein.
Creative Ways to Present
Think outside the pan by serving individual buns on rustic wooden boards for a cozy brunch vibe, or place them in decorative paper liners for gifting. You could even prepare mini versions in muffin tins for cute, portable treats. For a fun twist, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a warm-and-cold dessert sensation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They remain soft and scrumptious but make sure to cover well to prevent drying out. Alternatively, refrigerate them if you want to keep them for longer, but bring them to room temperature before reheating.
Freezing
You can freeze fully baked bun slices by wrapping them individually or placing them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They freeze well for up to two months. Just thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To revive the gooey texture, warm the buns in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or heat them in a low oven (about 300°F) wrapped in foil for 10 minutes. This brings back their fresh-baked warmth and helps the caramel stay sticky and luscious.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast directly without proofing?
This recipe blends the yeast with warm milk, which activates it effectively during mixing. There’s no separate proofing step needed, so as long as the milk is warm (not hot), the yeast will do its job.
What if I don’t have nuts or prefer not to use them?
The nuts are entirely optional! The buns are delicious with just the cinnamon-sugar filling and the rich caramel topping. You can omit nuts completely or even substitute with raisins or dried cranberries if you like a bit of chewiness.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
For a vegan version, substitute the butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil, use a non-dairy milk alternative warmed slightly, and replace eggs with flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer. The caramel may need a vegan heavy cream substitute such as coconut cream.
Is it possible to make the dough in a bread machine?
Absolutely! Place the ingredients in the bread machine in the order recommended by your manufacturer and select the dough setting. Once done rising, proceed with shaping and filling as described.
How do I know when the buns are fully baked?
The buns should be golden brown and slightly pulling away from the sides of the pan. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Overbaking can dry them out, so keep an eye toward the end of baking.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a fresh batch of caramel sticky buns, warm and dripping with that gorgeous caramel sauce. This Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe is a wonderful way to bring a bit of cozy magic into your kitchen and share moments of pure joy with family or friends. I hope you have as much fun making them as you will eating them—trust me, they’re worth every minute!
Print
Caramel Sticky Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes plus 1 hour rising and 20-30 minutes second rise
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours including rising and baking
- Yield: 12 sticky buns
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these luscious Caramel Sticky Buns featuring a rich homemade caramel topping, soft cinnamon-spiced dough, and optional crunchy nuts. Perfect for a comforting breakfast or sweet treat, these buns are baked to golden perfection with gooey caramel goodness on top.
Ingredients
Caramel Topping
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Prepare the caramel topping: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour the caramel mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Roll and fill the dough: Once risen, roll the dough out into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle this mixture over the buttered dough. Add the chopped nuts if using. Carefully roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log.
- Cut and arrange buns: Cut the roll into 12 equal slices. Arrange the slices cut side down evenly on top of the caramel in the prepared pan. Cover the pan and let the buns rise again for 20 to 30 minutes until puffed.
- Bake the buns: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buns for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Invert and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Carefully invert the pan onto a serving platter so the caramel topping is on top. Serve the sticky buns warm for maximum gooey deliciousness.
Notes
- For extra gooey buns, serve immediately while still warm.
- The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight, then baked the next day.
- You can substitute nuts with raisins or leave them out for a nut-free option.
- Ensure milk is warm (not hot) to activate the yeast properly.
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for better dough texture.
