Bakery-Style Bourbon Pecan Sticky Buns
These ultra-soft sticky buns are filled with buttery cinnamon sugar and baked in a rich pecan caramel glaze. A touch of bourbon adds warmth and depth, making them perfect for holiday mornings or indulgent weekend brunches.
- Total Time: 2½ hrs
- Yield: 16 buns 1x
Ingredients
Dough
3 cups warm whole milk
4½ tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
7 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
½ cup sugar
8 tbsp softened butter
Optional: 1 tsp orange zest
Caramel Topping
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp bourbon (optional)
2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
Filling
8 tbsp melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or pinch of espresso powder
Instructions
Make Dough: Combine milk, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar. Let sit 10 min. Mix with flour, salt, ½ cup sugar, and butter. Knead until smooth. Cover and rise 1 hour.
Caramel Base: Simmer butter, brown sugar, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and bourbon until smooth. Pour into two greased 9×13 pans. Top with pecans.
Filling: Roll dough into an 18×24″ rectangle. Brush with butter, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll and slice into 16 rolls.
Second Rise: Place rolls over caramel. Let rise 30–45 min.
Bake: 350°F for 25–30 min. Cool 5 min, then invert pans.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~520
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Protein: 6g