Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns – Gooey, Nutty, and Irresistible

There’s something magical about pulling a warm pan of sticky buns out of the oven, the aroma of caramel, toasted pecans, and cinnamon filling every corner of your kitchen. Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns are a true comfort food classic – soft, fluffy rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar and baked with a gooey pecan topping that’s as indulgent as it is beautiful.

These rolls are perfect for a holiday breakfast, a cozy Sunday brunch, or whenever you want to spoil yourself and your loved ones with something extra special. Imagine warm buns, sticky caramel sauce dripping over golden layers, and crunchy, buttery pecans adding the perfect contrast to the pillowy bread.

Let’s dive into how you can make these irresistible Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns at home.

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Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp salt

For the Filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the Pecan Caramel Topping:

• 1 cup pecan halves (lightly toasted if desired)
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup honey or corn syrup
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. Add flour, remaining sugar, egg, butter, and salt. Mix until a dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
2. Make the Caramel Topping: In a saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar, honey, cream, and salt over medium heat. Stir until smooth. Pour mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Sprinkle pecan halves evenly on top.
3. Prepare the Filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
4. Roll Out the Dough: Once risen, punch down dough and roll into a 12×18-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar mixture.
5. Shape the Rolls: Starting from the long edge, tightly roll dough into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
6. Assemble the Buns: Place cut rolls on top of the caramel pecan mixture in the baking pan. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
7. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. If the tops brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
8. Invert and Serve: Allow pan to cool for 5 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving platter so the caramel pecans are on top. Serve warm and gooey.

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Tips & Tricks:

• For extra depth of flavor, toast pecans in the oven for 5 minutes before using.
• Use a dental floss trick for perfectly clean cuts of your dough log.
• Add a splash of vanilla extract to the caramel topping for richness.

Variations:

• Apple Pecan Cinnamon Buns: Add thin apple slices inside the filling.
• Maple Pecan Buns: Replace honey with pure maple syrup.
• Overnight Version: Assemble rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake in the morning.

Serving Suggestions:

• Perfect for holiday breakfasts like Christmas morning.
• Serve with a hot cup of coffee, spiced chai, or a cold glass of milk.
• Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert version.

Storage Information:

• Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds to restore gooeyness.
• Freeze baked buns for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQ:

• Can I make these without pecans? Yes, substitute walnuts, almonds, or leave nuts out entirely.
• Can I use instant yeast? Absolutely – just mix it directly with flour.
• How do I keep them soft? Don’t overbake – golden brown is perfect.

History / Fun Facts:
Sticky buns have roots in Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, where they were often made with brown sugar, butter, and nuts. Over time, pecans became the star nut of choice, especially in the South. Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns are a delicious hybrid of classic sticky buns and cinnamon rolls – indulgent, cozy, and nostalgic all at once.