Maple Pecan Sticky Buns

Featured in: Sweet Golden Treats

Experience soft, pillowy buns enriched with a fragrant cinnamon sugar swirl and topped with a luscious maple pecan caramel glaze. The dough is kneaded to a smooth elasticity, then layered with a spiced filling and rolled into perfect individual portions. Baked until golden, these buns are inverted onto a sticky, nutty topping for a rich, textural contrast. Ideal for a comforting brunch or special breakfast, they offer a balanced sweetness and crunchy pecan finish that delights with every bite.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:57:00 GMT
Soft maple pecan sticky buns drizzled with rich caramel sauce and toasted pecans. Save
Soft maple pecan sticky buns drizzled with rich caramel sauce and toasted pecans. | amberladle.com

Soft, pillowy rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar and drenched in a luscious maple-pecan caramel. Perfect for a decadent weekend breakfast or brunch.

This recipe has become a weekend favorite at our house with its irresistible sweetness and texture.

Ingredients

  • Dough: 3 ½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet 7 g) active dry yeast ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk warm ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter melted 2 large eggs room temperature 1 tsp salt
  • Filling: ½ cup (110 g) unsalted butter softened ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar packed 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Maple Pecan Topping: ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter ¾ cup (160 g) brown sugar packed ½ cup (120 ml) pure maple syrup ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream ¼ tsp salt 1 ½ cups (150 g) pecan halves toasted

Instructions

Prepare the dough:
In a large mixing bowl combine warm milk sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter eggs and salt. Gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled about 1 hour.
Make the maple pecan topping:
In a saucepan over medium heat melt butter. Stir in brown sugar maple syrup cream and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour into a greased 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish and sprinkle evenly with pecans.
Prepare the filling:
In a small bowl combine softened butter brown sugar and cinnamon to form a spreadable paste.
Shape the buns:
On a floured surface roll dough into a 12x18-inch (30x45 cm) rectangle. Evenly spread filling over dough. Starting from a long edge tightly roll up the dough into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.
Assemble:
Place rolls cut side down over the prepared maple pecan topping in the baking dish. Cover and let rise 30 45 minutes until puffy.
Bake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake buns for 25 30 minutes until golden brown and set.
Invert and serve:
Cool for 5 minutes then carefully invert the pan onto a serving platter so the sticky pecan topping is on top. Serve warm.
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These sticky buns always bring our family together on slow weekend mornings sharing warmth and sweet memories.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls saucepan rolling pin 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish serrated knife whisk

Allergen Information

Contains gluten (wheat) dairy (milk butter cream) eggs and tree nuts (pecans). Check ingredient labels for potential cross-contamination if allergies are a concern.

Nutritional Information

Calories 430 Total Fat 23 g Carbohydrates 53 g Protein 6 g per serving

Decadent sticky buns resting in a gooey maple-pecan topping, perfect for brunch. Save
Decadent sticky buns resting in a gooey maple-pecan topping, perfect for brunch. | amberladle.com

Enjoy these sticky buns fresh and warm for the best experience they freeze well for future treats.

Recipe FAQs

How do I achieve soft and fluffy dough?

Use warm milk and active dry yeast to activate the dough, knead well until smooth, and allow it to rise until doubled in a warm environment for the best texture.

Can I substitute pecans with other nuts?

Yes, walnuts or almonds can be used as alternatives if you prefer a different nutty flavor or texture.

What is the best way to roll and cut the dough?

Roll the dough into a 12x18 inch rectangle, spread the filling evenly, then tightly roll from the long side and slice into 12 equal pieces for uniform buns.

How is the maple pecan topping prepared?

Simmer butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cream, and salt until smooth, then pour into the baking dish and sprinkle toasted pecans on top before placing the buns over it.

What baking temperature and time work best?

Bake the buns at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes until golden and set, ensuring the topping caramelizes perfectly.

Maple Pecan Sticky Buns

Soft, buttery buns swirled with cinnamon sugar and finished with a rich maple pecan topping.

Prep time
30 min
Cook time
30 min
Overall time
60 min
Created by Rachel Hayes


Skill required Medium

Cuisine American

Makes 12 Serving size

Diet preferences Meat-free

What you 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 unsalted butter, softened
02 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
03 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Maple Pecan Topping

01 1/2 cup unsalted butter
02 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
03 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
04 1/4 cup heavy cream
05 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted

How to make it

Step 01

Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy. Add melted butter, eggs, and salt. Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Step 02

Make the maple pecan topping: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, cream, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and sprinkle evenly with toasted pecans.

Step 03

Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, blend softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until spreadable.

Step 04

Shape the buns: On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12 by 18-inch rectangle. Evenly spread the filling over the dough. Starting from a long edge, roll up the dough tightly into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces.

Step 05

Assemble and proof: Place rolls cut side down over the prepared maple pecan topping in the baking dish. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.

Step 06

Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake buns for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and set.

Step 07

Invert and serve: Cool for 5 minutes. Carefully invert the pan onto a serving platter so the sticky pecan topping is on top. Serve warm.

Equipment needed

  • Mixing bowls
  • Saucepan
  • Rolling pin
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Serrated knife
  • Whisk

Allergy info

Always review ingredients for allergens. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains gluten, dairy, eggs, and tree nuts (pecans).

Nutrition details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for reference and aren't a substitute for healthcare guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 430
  • Fat content: 23 g
  • Carbohydrate: 53 g
  • Protein amount: 6 g