superman cooks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • home
  • recipes
  • about us
  • contact
  • subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • home
  • recipes
  • about us
  • contact
  • subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Breakfast

Sticky Buns

Modified: Oct 25, 2024 · Published: Nov 11, 2016 by Keith · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

21 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review
sticky buns uncut in cast iron skillet on dark table with gold knife

Indulge in pillowy soft and sweet Apple Pecan Sticky Buns. Simple, flavorful, and oh-so-gooey, your new favorite brunch recipe awaits!

sticky buns uncut in cast iron skillet on dark table with gold knife

Apple Pecan Sticky Buns

Picture a fall day. The leaves are turning brilliant colors, the sun is shining, and the air is brisk. The intoxicating smell of warm Apple Pecan Sticky Buns fills the house. Grab a cup of coffee, the newspaper and a few of these delectable treats and relax. I like to think that one bite of these warm Sticky Buns has the power to transport you to a happy place. Like our Cheddar Biscuits and Cheese Soufflé, this recipe is a weekend favorite.

These sticky buns look like you ran to the local bakery and picked them up, but the sweet aromas are proof that they were made by hand with love. The trick to this recipe is to not to eat all the sugary topping before the rolls were done baking. You can find me dipping pecan pieces into the buttery topping (like chips in chip dip) as I wait for the buns to rise.

Jump to:
  • Apple Pecan Sticky Buns
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • 🔪 Top tip
  • Variations
  • 🍳More Brunch Recipes
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • Related recipes
  • Sticky Buns recipe

Ingredients

apple pecan sticky buns | superman cooks

for the dough:

  • BUTTER: softened. We like unsalted butter for this recipe.
  • MILK: whole milk, 2% milk, skim milk, or nut milk
  • FLOUR: AP flour (all purpose flour)
  • SUGAR: granulated sugar
  • YEAST: packet of rapid rise dry yeast
  • SALT: sea salt or kosher salt
  • EGGS: large or extra large eggs

for the filling:

  • APPLES: we like McIntosh apples, red delicious apples, or Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced.
  • SUGAR: granulated sugar
  • CINNAMON: ground cinnamon
  • BUTTER: unsalted butter

for the topping:

  • PECANS: pecan halves
  • BROWN SUGAR: dark brown sugar or light brown sugar
  • MAPLE SYRUP: pure maple syrup
  • BUTTER: usalted butter, softened

*see recipe card for quantities.

three apple pecan sticky buns served on black plate with blue napkin and gold knife

Would you like to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Instructions

  1. Make the Topping: In a mixer, mix together butter, syrup and brown sugar until fluffy (about 5 minutes).
  2. Make the Dough: In a small pot, bring milk to almost boiling. Remove from heat, add butter and allow to melt. Combine the flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a stand mixer with dough attachment. Slowly add the milk mixture and eggs until combined.
  3. Knead: Knead on low for 6-8 minutes until ball is formed.
  4. Let Dough Rise: Remove from mixer and place in a large bowl that is sprayed with cooking spray. Cover loosely with plastic and set aside for the dough to rise (about 1½ hours).
  5. Prepare Skillet: Butter a 10" cast iron skillet (9" X 13" baking dish will work also)
  6. Mix the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon for the filling
  7. Roll Out Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to measure 13" X 20" rectangle.
  8. Brush on Butter: Melt 8 tablespoon butter (from filling) and spread with pastry brush over surface of dough.
  9. Add Cinnamon + Apples: Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar mixture over butter covering entire surface. Sprinkle finely diced apple over entire sheet of dough.
  10. Make the Rolls: Starting at the small end roll dough to form pinwheel. Once done, cut log with serrated knife into 12 equal pieces.
  11. Add Topping: Take topping mixture and place in bottom of pan and spread until covered bottom. Top with 2 cups of pecan halves.
  12. Place Rolls in Pan: Take the cinnamon rolls and place in pan on top of pecans .
  13. Let them Rise: Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours until rolls have risen and are touching each other.
  14. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  15. Cool: Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes.
  16. Flip: Place inverted plate on top of rolls and being careful flip pan over and remove pan. The topping will be very hot so be careful to not get on skin. Serve warm.

🔪 Top tip

Make sure to butter the skillet or baking dish you are baking the buns in to stop them sticking.

finished apple pecan sticky buns covered in pecans, uncut on dark blue countertop

Variations

  • NUTS: while peans are are favorite, you can also use walnuts or slivered almonds
  • CINNAMON: omit the apples. Use extra cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, or even a some orange zest in the dough.
  • CARAMEL: a drizzle of caramel over the top makes these sticky buns even sweeter
  • ADULT BRUNCH: serve them with Irish Coffees or Homemade Bloody Marys when you're entertaining grown ups.

🍳More Brunch Recipes

  • French Crepes
  • Pecan Waffles
  • Cheese Soufflé
  • Mixed Mushroom Toast
  • Cornmeal Pancakes

Storage

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Refrigerate for longer storage (up to 5 days)
  • Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave for about 30 seconds until warmed through.
  • Make Ahead: refrigerate buns overnight after the first rise. Let them come to room temperature and bake them the next morning.
three apple pecan sticky buns served on black plate with gold knife and cup of coffee

This post was made in partnership with our friends at My Baking Addiction. All opinions are our own.

FAQ

What are sticky buns?

Sticky buns are sweet, gooey pastries typically made from a yeast dough, coated with a sticky topping of butter, sugar, and nuts, often baked upside-down so the topping melts into the buns as they bake.

What is the difference between sticky buns and cinnamon rolls?

While both sticky buns and cinnamon rolls are made from similar dough, sticky buns are baked with a sticky topping made of sugar, butter, and nuts, while cinnamon rolls are usually topped with icing.

Can sticky buns be made ahead of time?

Yes, sticky buns can be prepared in advance. You can refrigerate them overnight after the first rise, then let them come to room temperature and bake the next morning.

Why are my sticky buns dry?

Dry sticky buns could result from overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure to check the dough’s moisture level and avoid baking for too long.

What kind of nuts are best for sticky buns?

Pecans are our favorite choice for sticky buns, but you can also use walnuts or almonds for different flavor variations.

Related recipes

  • 3 apple dumplings in baking dish with pie server + red checked napkin
    Apple Dumplings
  • Cheddar Biscuits Featured
    Cheddar Biscuits
  • Boozy Apple Beignets.F
    Boozy Apple Beignets
  • cheese soufflés on white countertop with blue striped napkin and fork
    Cheese Souffle

🍅 Making this recipe?

  • Please feel free to reach out with questions. We're happy to help.
  • If you enjoyed it, please leave us a comment with ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
three apple pecan sticky buns served on black plate with blue napkin and gold knife

Sticky Buns recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

Indulge in pillowy soft and sweet Apple Pecan Sticky Buns. Simple, flavorful, and oh-so-gooey, your new favorite brunch recipe awaits!

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 mins
  • Yield: 12-15 rolls 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the dough: 

  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ c milk
  • 3 C AP flour
  • ½ C sugar
  • 1 packet rapid rise dry yeast
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs

For the filling:

  • 1 apple, peeled and diced
  • ¾ C granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 8 tbsp butter

For the topping:

  • 2 C pecan halves
  • ½ C brown sugar
  • ¼ C maple syrup
  • 8 tbsp butter, softened

Instructions

  1. In a mixer, mix together butter, syrup and brown sugar until fluffy (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a small pot, bring milk to almost boiling. Remove from heat, add butter and allow to melt.
  3. Combine the flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a stand mixer with dough attachment.
  4. Slowly add the milk mixture and eggs until combined.
  5. Knead on low for 6-8 minutes until ball is formed.
  6. Remove from mixer and place in a large bowl that is sprayed with cooking spray.
  7. Cover loosely with plastic and set aside for the dough to rise about 1½ hours.
  8. Butter a 10' cast iron skillet (9" X 13" baking dish will work also)
  9. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon for the filling
  10. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to measure 13x20 rectangle.
  11. Melt 8 tablespoon butter (from filling) and spread with pastry brush over surface of dough.
  12. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar mixture over butter covering entire surface.
  13. Sprinkle finely diced apple over entire sheet of dough.
  14. Starting at the small end roll dough to form pinwheel.
  15. Once done, cut log with serrated knife into 12 equal pieces.
  16. Take topping mixture and place in bottom of pan and spread until covered bottom.
  17. Top with 2 cups of pecan halves.
  18. Take the cinnamon rolls and place in pan on top of pecans .
  19. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours until rolls have risen and are touching each other.
  20. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake rolls for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  21. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes.
  22. Place inverted plate on top of rolls and being careful flip pan over and remove pan. The topping will be very hot so be careful to not get on skin.
  23. Serve warm.
  • Author: Superman Cooks
  • Prep Time: 3 hours
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Category: Dessert or Breakfast
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 rolls
  • Calories: 983
  • Sugar: 24.8 g
  • Sodium: 336.2 mg
  • Fat: 70.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 79.9 g
  • Protein: 13.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 174.4 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @supermancooks on Instagram and hashtag it #supermancooks

More Breakfast Recipes

  • Crumb Cake.F
    Coffee Crumb Cake (Paleo + Gluten Free)
  • Eggs Benedict on white plate garnished with fruit + knife and cup of coffee
    Eggs Benedict with Turkey Bacon
  • pumpkin waffles on white plate + fork, linen napkin
    Pumpkin Waffles
  • German pancakes on plate, half eaten with fork
    Skillet German Pancakes

Comments

  1. Matt @ RoughEats says

    November 13, 2016 at 8:02 am

    I love sticky buns! They look great, perfect as a Sunday morning treat!

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      November 16, 2016 at 7:22 am

      thanks so much Matt!! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

woman and man at kitchen table eating bowls of spaghetti

Keith & Jackie

Hi and welcome! If you're looking for delicious and uncomplicated recipes, you've come to the right place! We've done all the work so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying great meals (and cocktails!).

More about us →

Popular

  • rack of baby back ribs on wooden platter, with fork, carrots, greens
    Slow Cooked Baby Back Ribs
  • pretzel bites with plate of beer cheese on checked napkin
    Craft Beer Cheese Dip
  • white bowl of old fashioned potato salad with spoon + red striped napkin
    Old Fashioned Potato Salad
  • pineapple cocktail on blue table garnished with fresh pineapple slice and leaves
    Smoked Pineapple Rum Cocktail

30 Minute Meals

  • 3 cooked chicken breasts in pan, topped with prosciutto and crispy sage
    Chicken Saltimbocca
  • linguine pasta with clams in white bowl with fork twisting pasta
    Linguine alle Vongole (Linguine with Clams)
  • meatballs stacked on plate, served over polenta with red sauce on top,
    Easy Homemade Meatballs
  • Blackened Salmon Featured
    Blackened Salmon

Latest recipes

  • two crab cakes on white plate with lemon aioli + fork
    Crab Cakes
  • pink hibiscus drink in a stemmed coupe glass garnished with raspberries
    Hibiscus Spritz
  • baked lemon chicken breasts on wooden serving platter with slice lemons, tomatoes
    Baked Lemon Chicken
  • hands holding bowl of beer cheese soup topped with bacon bits and shredded cheese
    Beer Cheese Soup

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 Superman Cooks