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Perfect Maple Pecan Sticky Buns Recipe with Easy Brown Butter Glaze

maple pecan sticky buns - featured image
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These sticky buns are a quick and easy crowd-pleaser featuring a soft, tender dough filled with cinnamon butter and toasted pecans, topped with a rich brown butter maple glaze. Perfect for brunch, holiday parties, or cozy weekend treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (440g), plus extra for dusting
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 cup whole milk (240ml), warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar (65g)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter (60g), melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter (75g), softened (for filling)
  • ½ cup brown sugar (100g), packed (for filling)
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (120g), toasted (for filling)
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup (120ml), preferably Grade A dark amber (for sticky sauce)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (60g) (for sticky sauce)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (65g) (for sticky sauce)
  • ½ cup chopped pecans (60g) (for sticky sauce)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113g) (for brown butter glaze)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (120g), sifted (for brown butter glaze)
  • 2 tbsp pure maple syrup (30ml) (for brown butter glaze)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for brown butter glaze)
  • ¼ tsp salt (for brown butter glaze)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by stirring warm milk (110°F / 43°C) with 1 tbsp sugar and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit until foamy and bubbly, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add melted butter, eggs, and yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until combined, then knead for 7-8 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, knead about 10 minutes with a little flour as needed.
  3. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  4. While dough rises, toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth for the filling.
  5. Punch down dough and roll out on a floured surface into a 16×12 inch (40×30 cm) rectangle. Spread cinnamon butter evenly over dough, then sprinkle toasted pecans on top.
  6. Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log. Cut into 12 equal pieces about 1.5 inches (4 cm) thick.
  7. Prepare maple pecan sauce by melting butter with maple syrup and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped pecans.
  8. Pour maple pecan sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange buns cut side up on top, close but not touching too much.
  9. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let buns rise until puffy, about 30-40 minutes.
  10. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake buns for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Tent with foil if tops brown too quickly.
  11. While buns bake, make brown butter glaze by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling pan, until golden brown and nutty smelling (4-5 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
  12. Let buns cool for 5 minutes after baking, then drizzle generously with brown butter glaze. Serve warm.

Notes

If dough feels sticky, add flour a tablespoon at a time during kneading but avoid over-flouring to keep buns soft. Toast pecans for best flavor. Brown butter glaze adds a nutty depth and should be watched carefully to avoid burning. Dough can be prepared the night before and refrigerated for a slow rise.

Nutrition

Keywords: sticky buns, maple pecan sticky buns, brown butter glaze, easy sticky buns, holiday brunch, quick sticky buns, pecan sticky buns

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/perfect-maple-pecan-sticky-buns-recipe-with-easy-brown-butter-glaze/