Irresistibly Delicious Caramel Sticky Buns: The Ultimate Homemade Recipe

Caramel Sticky Buns are an absolutely perfect indulgence for the holidays, cozy weekend mornings, or any time you crave a sweet, comforting treat. These soft, pillowy rolls are generously coated in a rich, buttery caramel sauce, making every bite pure bliss. Best of all, they’re surprisingly simple to make from scratch!

Imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly baked, warm, and gooey caramel sticky buns. These delightful pastries boast an incredibly soft and fluffy texture, expertly crafted to soak up every drop of that luscious, homemade caramel. What truly sets these rolls apart is their versatility – they’re ideal for a decadent breakfast, a satisfying dessert, or even a special brunch centerpiece. I personally find them irresistible with a steaming cup of coffee, especially on a chilly morning. While I’ve made countless batches of rolls over the years, often for Christmas breakfast, this particular caramel sticky bun recipe has undoubtedly become my all-time favorite.

The magic lies in how beautifully the soft dough absorbs the rich caramel, creating an explosion of flavor and texture with every mouthful. The dough itself is a dream to work with, pliable and forgiving, ensuring a stress-free baking experience. And the caramel? It’s remarkably easy to prepare, yet yields a deeply flavorful, smooth, and perfectly sticky sauce that clings to every swirl of the bun.

For an added touch of texture and nutty flavor, you can certainly incorporate walnuts or pecans into the caramel layer before baking. While these buns are absolutely divine on their own, served warm, some enjoy them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra layer of decadence. However, I often find them perfect just as they are – warm, plain, and utterly satisfying.

Why These Homemade Caramel Sticky Buns Are a Must-Try

When it comes to sweet breakfast pastries, homemade caramel sticky buns stand in a league of their own. Forget store-bought versions; the difference in freshness, texture, and flavor is monumental. Our recipe guarantees buns that are:

Incredibly Soft and Fluffy: Achieved through a perfectly balanced yeast dough that proofs beautifully.
Richly Caramelized: A generous layer of homemade caramel bakes into the bottom, creating a sticky, golden topping when inverted.
Easy to Make: With clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results.
Versatile: Ideal for special occasions, holiday brunches, or simply to treat yourself on a quiet weekend.
Customizable: Easily adapt with nuts, spices, or different extracts to suit your taste.

The Irresistible Allure of Caramel

The star of these sticky buns, beyond the tender dough, is undoubtedly the caramel. This golden, buttery sauce is meticulously crafted to be the perfect consistency – thick enough to cling to the buns but soft enough to remain gloriously gooey. Made with a blend of butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup, it offers a depth of flavor that complements the sweet cinnamon filling beautifully. As the buns bake, the caramel bubbles and thickens, transforming into a rich, glistening glaze that envelops each roll, ensuring no dry edges and maximum indulgence.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Caramel Sticky Buns

Achieving bakery-quality caramel sticky buns at home is easier than you think, especially with a few expert tips:

Give the Dough Time to Rise: Allowing the dough to rise for a minimum of two hours, or until doubled in size, is crucial for developing its light and airy texture. This process, known as proofing, is where the yeast works its magic, creating those wonderful air pockets. Patience is key here!
Find a Warm Spot for Proofing: Yeast thrives in warmth. Cover your dough bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place it in a consistently warm environment. My go-to spot is often a microwave that’s turned off, as it acts as a draft-free, warm chamber. You can also use a slightly warmed oven (turned off!) or a sunny spot.
Achieve the Right Dough Consistency: The ideal dough shouldn’t be dry and stiff, nor should it be excessively sticky and hard to handle. It should be slightly tacky to the touch – firm enough to hold its shape but soft enough to yield to pressure. If it’s too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour; if too dry, add a touch of milk or water, one teaspoon at a time.
Don’t Skimp on the Caramel: A generous layer of caramel at the bottom of the pan is essential. This creates the signature sticky, gooey topping that makes these buns so famous.
Use Dental Floss for Clean Slices: For perfectly neat and even rolls, dental floss (unflavored!) is your best friend. Slide it under your rolled dough log, cross the ends, and pull them tightly to slice through. This prevents squishing the dough, which can happen with a knife.
Prepare Ahead: For a fresh-baked treat in the morning without the early start, prepare the buns up to the second rise. Cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, take them out about an hour before baking to come to room temperature and finish rising, then bake as directed.

These are truly sticky buns soaked in caramel, not just drizzled. The deep golden hue and the glistening, irresistible glaze are a testament to the generous caramel layer they’re baked upon. Each bun emerges from the oven perfectly bronzed on top and dripping with rich, buttery caramel underneath, ready to be inverted and devoured.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

While these caramel sticky buns are a masterpiece on their own, here are some ideas to enhance your experience:

Classic Pairing: Serve them warm with a strong cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea.
Dessert Delight: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an indulgent dessert.
Nutty Twist: Toast and sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans over the caramel in the baking dish before placing the rolls on top.
Spice It Up: A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom can be added to the cinnamon filling for a more complex flavor profile.
Breakfast Brilliance: Perfect for holiday mornings, Sunday brunch, or any special occasion where a sweet, impressive treat is desired.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed making these caramel sticky buns, be sure to explore some of our other delectable dessert recipes:

Apple Slab Pie
Strawberry Cobbler
Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
Homemade Beignets
Baked Chocolate Donuts

5 from 2 votes

Caramel Sticky Buns

By

Julie Maestre

Say hello to the world’s best caramel sticky buns. These buns will win you over with just one bite.

Prep:

20 minutes

Cook:

30 minutes

Rise for:

2 hours

Total:

50 minutes

Servings:

12
servings

Save Recipe
Saved Recipe

Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Dough

▢

4 1/2
cups
all-purpose flour
▢

2
tsp
dry active yeast
▢

1/4
cup
granulated sugar
▢

1
cup
whole milk
▢

2
eggs
▢

1/2
cup
softened unsalted butter,
cut into pieces
▢

1
tsp
vanilla extract
▢

pinch
of salt

Filling

▢

1/2
cup
unsalted butter,
softened
▢

1/2
cup
brown sugar
▢

1
tsp
cinnamon

Caramel

▢

4
tbsp
unsalted butter
▢

1 1/4
cup
brown sugar
▢

1/4
cup
maple syrup
▢

pinch
of salt
▢

2
tbsp
heavy cream
▢

1
tsp
vanilla extract

Cook Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

To make the dough, gently warm the milk to about 95°F (35°C). It should feel lukewarm, not hot. Pour the warm milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir in the granulated sugar and sprinkle the dry active yeast over the top. Let this mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until the yeast is foamy and bubbly, indicating it’s active.
While the yeast proofs, lightly grease a large bowl with butter or cooking spray. This will be used for the dough’s first rise. Set aside.
To the yeast mixture in the stand mixer, add the all-purpose flour, eggs, vanilla extract, softened butter pieces, and a pinch of salt. Mix on low speed, then increase to medium, continuing to mix for about 5-7 minutes, or until the dough comes together into a smooth, elastic ball that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently by hand for a few seconds, just to form it into a smooth ball. Avoid over-kneading at this stage.
Place the dough ball into the greased bowl, turning it once to coat all sides. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Place it in a warm, draft-free place (like a turned-off microwave or oven) for 2 hours, or until the dough has proudly doubled in size.
To prepare the irresistible caramel sauce, combine the 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 1/4 cup brown sugar, maple syrup, pinch of salt, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth, bubbly, and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated. Set the luscious caramel aside to cool slightly.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it out evenly into a large rectangle, approximately 12×18 inches, using a rolling pin.
Prepare the flavorful filling by combining the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly.
Evenly spread the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter all over the rolled-out dough rectangle, reaching almost to the edges. Then, generously sprinkle the entire brown sugar and cinnamon filling mixture over the buttered dough.
Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll the dough into an 18-inch log. For perfectly clean cuts, use a piece of unflavored dental floss to slice the log into 12 even rolls. Simply slide the floss under the log, cross the ends over the top, and pull them tightly to slice.
Pour the prepared caramel sauce into a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Arrange the 12 sliced sticky buns on top of the caramel, leaving a little space between each one as they will expand. Cover the rolls again and let them rise in a warm place for another 45 minutes, or until they have nearly doubled in size. This second rise ensures extra fluffiness.
While the buns are on their second rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and cooked through. The caramel will be bubbling around the edges.
Immediately upon removing from the oven, place a large serving platter or baking sheet upside down over the baking dish. Carefully but quickly invert the baking dish, allowing the hot caramel and buns to fall onto the platter. Scrape any remaining caramel from the dish onto the buns if necessary. Serve these glorious caramel sticky buns warm and enjoy!

Notes

For perfectly neat and even rolls, use unflavored dental floss to slice the dough log into individual buns. This method prevents squishing the delicate dough.
These sticky buns are best served warm, shortly after baking. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a warm oven.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:

Julie Maestre

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Cook Time:

30 minutes

Rise for:

2 hours

Total Time:

50 minutes

Course:
Dessert, Breakfast

Cuisine:
American

Servings:

12
servings

Calories:
533

Keyword:
Caramel Sticky Buns, Hot Sticky Buns, Homemade Sticky Buns, Breakfast Rolls, Sweet Rolls

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!