Sticky Buns Caramel Pecan Recipe

Pecan Sticky Buns

These sticky buns are the best breakfast! They’re filled with cinnamon and baked with a tasty caramel pecan topping. They come out gooey, sweet, and absolutely delicious! Everyone will be jumping out of bed to eat these pecan sticky buns. I love making them for Christmas morning, Easter breakfast, or just for a special little treat on the weekend. They make a great dessert too, so keep any leftovers for later! These upside-down sticky buns are basically the stickier cousin to cinnamon rolls. The brown sugar caramel glaze makes them extra tasty, but also a little messier. Grab some forks and napkins, then chow down!

How to Make Sticky Buns

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

Ingredient & Recipe Notes

Pans: Use two, round 9-inch baking pans for best results. Yeast: Be sure to use active dry yeast here, not instant. The water needs to be between 110-115°F to properly activate the yeast.

Pie Spice: Use apple pie spice for best results, or use a mix of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Dough: When rolling out the dough to prepare for the cinnamon filling, you want it to be ⅓ in thick. The overall size of the rectangle is not as important as the thickness.

Serving Suggestions

Cinnamon pecan sticky buns are quite dense and rich, so they will be pretty filling on their own. But I like having some lighter additions to the table, like fruit and yogurt, to help balance out the meal. More importantly, I like having a delicious coffee drink by my side to complement this sweet breakfast!

34+ Christmas Morning Recipes

Nothing better than waking up to an amazing (and easy) breakfast bright and early on Christmas. I always make a special breakfast for the holidays, and these feel like the start of a new tradition. Even on a regular day, these will make it feel like an extra special day!

34+ Christmas Morning Recipes

Nothing better than waking up to an amazing (and easy) breakfast bright and early on Christmas. When you flip the pan upside down to release the sticky buns, you’ll get a glimpse of that delicious pecan topping! You want to eat them hot for the best flavor, but give them just a few minutes to cool before serving.

Where should dough rise?

The dough needs to rise two separate times. This should be done in a warm spot. Choose a warm corner in your kitchen, or set it on top of the stove. You can also briefly warm the oven (just a couple of minutes at a low temp), turn it off, and let the dough rise in there. I find I only need to do this in the winter, when the kitchen is much cooler.

Can I make sticky buns ahead of time?

The dough needs to rise multiple times, so you will definitely need to prep this recipe ahead of time. After the first rise, you can simply keep the dough refrigerated overnight, or until ready to move on to the next step. For another overnight option: Once you fully prep the sticky buns (with the topping and buns in the pan), cover the pans with plastic wrap, and keep those refrigerated overnight (or until ready to bake). Let them sit at room temperature in the morning while the oven preheats, then bake.

What can I use instead of corn syrup?

You can replace the corn syrup with other sweet syrupy ingredients, like maple syrup, agave, or honey.

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This pecan sticky buns recipe has become a fast favorite. Everyone (kids, guests, me) loves these sweet, glazed, cinnamon-filled rolls. A breakfast favorite for holidays and beyond!