Julie Clark
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From scratch Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns baked in a skillet make a sweet breakfast treat. You’ll love the caramel topping that bakes in the bottom of the pan, but when flipped, becomes the topping!
Introducing October’s Sweet Roll: The Sticky Bun.
This year we’ve been sharing all kinds of variations of our homemade sweet rolls. Have you tried them yet? They’re amazing. And easy. I promise.
But the way to my husband’s heart is sticky buns. Caramel pecan sticky buns to be exact. The ooey, gooey, nutty cinnamon rolls that need a glass of milk alongside them. I’m so excited to share this classic recipe with you!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- the same soft, sweet dough you know and love
- a smaller recipe that only makes 8!
- cinnamon filling on the inside
- homemade caramel sauce bakes underneath
- loaded with pecans
- bakes in a skillet
What is the difference between a sticky bun and a cinnamon roll?
Today we’re talking sticky buns…the cousin to cinnamon rolls. Sticky buns are called “sticky” because they bake in a gooey sauce poured into the bottom of the pan. Once the rolls are baked, you flip the rolls upside down, revealing that gooey “sticky” sugar coating.
Cinnamon rolls aren’t baked in that gooey, nutty sauce, but rather either frosted or drizzled with glaze after baking.
Tips for Making Sticky Buns
- The first step to making sticky buns is to make the yeast dough. My favorite yeast is Red Star Platinum Superior Baking Yeast. It bakes up big, beautiful breads every time. Be sure your instant yeast is fresh for the best results!
- We find it easiest to use a stand mixer with the dough hook to mix and knead yeast doughs. You can use your hands to knead the dough if you don’t have a stand mixer, just be sure not to add too much flour. The dough should be slightly tacky so the rolls don’t end up dry.
- While the dough is rising, make the caramel pecan sugar mixture. This is the “sticky” in the sticky buns. You’ll melt sugar, corn syrup and butter in a saucepan until the sugar is melted. Allow the mixture to simmer (low boil) for 2 minutes. Then remove from the heat and add the cream.
- Line your 10″ skillet with parchment paper that you’ve sprayed with cooking spray. This will help the rolls come out easily. Pour the sauce into the prepared skillet and sprinkle the pecans overtop.
- Roll out the dough, top with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, then roll up the dough jelly roll style and cut into 8 pieces.
- Place the dough slices into the skillet and allow the rolls to rise again for 20-30 minutes or until the dough is slightly puffed. The exact time to rise will depend on temperature, humidity and even altitude, so just be sure to watch them closely.
- Bake the rolls for about 25 minutes. Baking time will really depend on the type of pan you used and your oven. We used a regular oven and a cast iron skillet. The rolls took a full 25 minutes of baking.
- Allow the rolls to rest for 15 minutes. Then turn them over onto a serving plate so the caramel sauce ends up on top. Be careful with the hot skillet…it’s very, very hot!
TheCaramel Pecan Sticky Buns are best served warm alongside a cup of coffee or milk. 🙂
Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns
4.81 from 46 votes
From scratch Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns baked in a skillet make a sweet breakfast treat. You’ll love the caramel topping that bakes in the bottom of the pan, but when flipped, becomes the topping!
Servings 8
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
Rise Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 36 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
DOUGH:
- 1/2 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup salted butter (well softened, but not melted)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
CARAMEL PECAN TOPPING:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
Instructions
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Allow to it for about 5 minutes or until it starts to get foamy.
Whisk in the sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg.
Stir in the flour until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
Place in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise until double in size, about an hour.
Punch the dough down and knead a few times until smooth.
Make the pecan topping by combining the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar is melted and the mixture starts to simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer for two minutes.
Take the sauce off the heat and stir in the heavy cream.
Place a piece of parchment paper in a 10" skillet, round cake pan or baking dish. Spray with cooking spray. Pour the mixture into the skillet and sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Set aside.
Roll the dough into a 10-inch by 16-inch rectangle (if the dough pulls back too much and doesn't stay rolled out, let it rest for 10 minutes and try again).
Spread the 4 tablespoons of butter on the rolled out dough. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon.
Roll up tightly starting on the long edge.
Using a very sharp or serrated knife, cut the log into 8 rolls. Place them on top of the pecan filling in the 10-inch skillet and let them rise until puffed slightly (about 30 minutes).
Bake at 375º F for 25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Check the rolls at 20 minutes. If they look like they are getting too browned, cover loosely with foil for the remaining baking time.
Remove them from the oven and let them sit for about 15 minutes. CAREFULLY flip the skillet over on a serving plate so that the buns are sticky side up (CARAMEL TOPPING IS SUPER HOT).
Serve warm. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
Notes
*Want more flavor? Add a dash of nutmeg along with the cinnamon.
The calories shown are based on the recipe making 8 rolls, with 1 serving being 1 roll. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.
Nutrition
Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 326mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 704IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg
Author Julie Clark
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Calories 574
Keyword homemade bread, sweet rolls
Have you tried this recipe?
Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.
Love cinnamon rolls? Try one of our other recipes.
Tools to Make these Sticky Buns
- Stand Mixer: Ok, you don’t 100% need this, but it does make life easier to knead yeast doughs.
- Red Star Yeast: My favorite yeast! It’s so forgiving and I have perfect baked goods, every time.
- Saigon Cinnamon: The best flavored cinnamon.
- Pastry Mat: This makes clean-up a breeze.
- Dough Cutter: I JUST got one of these. What have I done without it all these years? Works as a scraper too, to get stuck-on dough off surfaces.
- 10″ Cast Iron Skillet: This makes a pretty presentation for the sticky buns.
