Nothing says Christmas morning like the scent of delicious, easy sticky buns baking, while you open presents! This is the BEST homemade sticky buns recipe–so flaky, tender, and mouthwatering, with an ooey gooey topping. {YUM}It will become a holiday tradition your whole family looks forward to!

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe- sticky buns on a white plate on a white table with a plaid napkin- kids activities blog
Nothing says the holidays like homemade sticky buns from scratch!

STICKY BUNS RECIPE 

Canned cinnamon buns are yummy when you’re in a hurry, but nothing can take the place of sticky buns, made from scratch!

This simple sticky buns recipe is made from pantry staples that you will most likely have stocked during the busy holiday months.

Whether you bake this for a full house on Christmas morning, or by yourself on a snowy Sunday, it is the coziest (and yummiest) recipe!

This Sticky Buns Recipe 

  • Serves: 12 
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes plus rising 
  • Cook Time: 30-40 minutes 
Easy Sticky Buns Recipe ingredients- flour, salt, corn syrup, buts, sugar, eggs, and a napkin, milk, water, and butter- kids activities blog
This easy sticky buns recipe is made from pantry staples like: flour, pecans, cinnamon, butter, sugar, eggs, milk, yeast, and brown sugar.

Ingredients Needed To Make These Easy Sticky Buns

Dough:

  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup warm water 
  • 2 packets (¼ ounces each) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 eggs, beaten 
  • 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, approximate 
  • ½  cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt 

Filling:

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup honey or light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped 

Instructions To Make Easy Sticky Buns

Dough:

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe- step 1- scald milk, stir frequently, with ingredients nearby pan- kids activities blog
Stir frequently, and be careful not to let the milk burn to the bottom of the pan.

STEP 1

In a small saucepan scald milk to 181-212 degrees F.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 2 add butter and sugar to scalded milk- kids activities blog
Mix in the butter and sugar.

STEP 2

Add sugar, salt and butter.

STEP 3

Stir and let cool to lukewarm.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 4, add year and warm water to bowl- kids activities blog
Last, but certainly not “yeast”…{giggle}

STEP 4

Pour warm water in stand mixer bowl and add yeast.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe 5 stir and let it sit for 5 minutes or until foamy- kids activities blog
Let the yeast set for 5 minutes.

STEP 5

Let set 5 minutes or until foamy.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe ingredients in a beater- kids activities blog
Kids have SO much fun helping to make sticky buns! There are so many steps, and adding the frosting and pecans is always a hit with little ones!

STEP 6

Add milk mixture, beaten eggs and 2 cups of flour.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe 6 add flour and eggs and mix- kids activities blog

STEP 7

Mix until dough is well combined.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 7 add flour and mix well - kids activities blog
Add the flour a little at a time, to get the right consistency.

STEP 8

Gradually add enough flour until dough is stiff.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 8 add flour and mix until dough is stiff- kids activities blog
Add the flour a little at a time, to get the right consistency.

STEP 9

On lightly floured surface, knead dough about 8 minutes.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe 9 flour a surface and add dough to be kneaded- kids activities blog
Kids love helping with kneading the dough, too!

STEP 10

Place in greased bowl, turn dough over, then cover with plastic wrap or towel.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 10- knead dough, turn into a ball and let it sit covered- kids activities blog
I like to place my dough (in a glass or ceramic bowl, covered with plastic wrap treated with light oil, butter, or Pam to prevent it from sticking to the dough) on my stovetop. The warmth from the preheating oven helps the dough rise!

STEP 11

Let rise in warm environment until dough is doubled, about 1 hour.

STEP 12

While dough is rising, make the topping.

Topping

STEP 1

Spray a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe topping- add butter and sugar and cream together - kids activities blog
Yum! Are you ready for the BEST part? The topping!

STEP 2

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe topping- add butter and sugar and cream together and add honey or corn syrup - kids activities blog
You can use either honey or corn syrup for the topping–whichever you have on hand.

STEP 3

Add the honey or corn syrup and vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 4 spread butter mixture evenly into baking dish- kids activities blog
Spread the frosting evenly, so that enough is applied to each of your sticky buns.

STEP 4

Spread the butter mixture evenly into the baking dish.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe 5 add nuts unless you're allergic then don't- kids activities blog
If you have a nut allergy (or just don’t like them) this step can be omitted!

STEP 5

Sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans.

Rolls

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 1- remove risen dough and move to clean area to roll- kids activities blog
Carefully remove your risen dough from the bowl and move it to a clean area to roll out.

STEP 1

When dough has risen, roll out into large rectangle on a floured surface.

Notes:

Don’t have a rolling pin? That’s okay, you can use a wood dowel or a metal water bottle!

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 2 roll out dough but not too thin- kids activities blog
Roll dough out, but not too thin, you have to be able to roll it, once all the good stuff has been added!

STEP 2

Drizzle butter over dough.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 3 add butter to the top of the rolled dough- kids activities blog
The butter adds flavor, but also helps the brown sugar mixture stick to the dough!

STEP 3

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe step 4 add brown sugar and cinnamon on top of the butter on top of the rolled dough- kids activities blog
YUM! The cinnamon sugar mixture in the center is the best part!

STEP 4

Sprinkle evenly over melted butter.

STEP 5

Starting with the long side, begin rolling the dough.

STEP 6

Cut dough into 12 even pieces. 

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe roll the dough and cut them into roll- they're pretty- kids activities blog
How pretty are these sticky buns?!

STEP 7

Lay the dough on top of the pecans.

STEP 8

Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise 60-90 minutes or until doubled in size.

Flaky, tender, and gooey sticky buns from scratch! - kids activities blog
There you have it! Flaky, tender, and gooey sticky buns from scratch!

STEP 9

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.

STEP 10

Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then flip upside down onto serving platter.

STEP 11

Scoop out any remaining topping and spread over buns.

STEP 12

Allow to cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe - gluten free- kids activities blog
Make gluten free easy sticky buns by swapping out ONE ingredient! So simple!

ARE THESE EASY STICKY BUNS GLUTEN FREE?

You can easily adapt this sticky buns recipe so that it’s a gluten free recipe by replacing the traditional all-purpose flour with gluten free all-purpose flour! I love baking with King Arthur gluten free all-purpose flour! 

Make sure that the rest of your ingredients are gluten free, as well.

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe on a plate- kids activities blog
Freeze leftover sticky buns for a quick and tasty hot breakfast you can reheat on busy mornings!

CAN YOU FREEZE LEFTOVER STICKY BUNS? 

Yes! Once your sticky buns are room temperature, store them in an airtight container or a freezer bag.

Frozen cinnamon rolls will last for quite awhile in the freezer, but I prefer to eat them within a month, so that the consistency stays pleasant.

Frozen sticky buns are the perfect quick and easy sweet treat to start your day off when you’re on the go! 

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe

Easy Sticky Buns Recipe

It isn't Christmas morning without a sweet, homemade breakfast dish, like our easy sticky bun recipe!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes 30 seconds
Total Time 1 hour 30 seconds

Ingredients

  • Dough:
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 2 packets (¼ ounces each) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, approximate
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • Filling:
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • Topping:
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup honey or light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions

    Dough:

  1. In a small saucepan scald milk to 181-212 degrees F.
  2. Add sugar, salt and butter.
  3. Stir and let cool to lukewarm.
  4. Pour warm water in a stand mixer bowl and add yeast. 
  5. Let set 5 minutes or until foamy.
  6. Add milk mixture, beaten eggs and 2 cups of flour.
  7. Mix until dough is well combined.
  8. Gradually add enough flour until dough is stiff.
  9. On lightly floured surface, knead dough about 8 minutes.
  10. Place in greased bowl, turn dough over, then cover with plastic wrap or towel.
  11. Let rise in warm place until dough is doubled, about 1 hour.
  12. While dough is rising, make the topping.

Topping:

  1. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Add the honey or corn syrup and vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy.
  4. Spread the butter mixture evenly into the baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans.

Rolls:

  1. When dough has risen, roll out into large rectangle on a floured surface.
  2. Drizzle butter over dough.
  3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
  4. Sprinkle evenly over melted butter.
  5. Starting with the long side, begin rolling the dough.
  6. Cut dough into 12 even pieces.
  7. Lay the dough on top of the pecans.
  8. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise 60-90 minutes or until doubled in size.
  9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
  10. Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then flip upside down onto serving platter. 
  11. Scoop out any remaining topping and spread over buns.
  12. Allow to cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

More Easy Christmas Brunch Recipes From Kids Activities Blog

How did your sticky buns recipe turn out? Comment below and let us know, we’d love to hear from you!



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