Name: Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 2 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar; 1 tablespoon dark corn syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 1/4 cup pecan pieces; 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1/2 cup whole milk (whole milk preferred but 2% works, too!); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and lightly cooled; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 4 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature; 1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

There’s nothing quite like the warm, gooey magic of a bakery-style treat fresh from your oven. This Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe transforms your kitchen into a sweet escape, delivering soft, cinnamon-spiced rolls crowned with an irresistible pecan praline glaze. Trust me, the aroma alone will have you smiling before the first bite.

The image shows a close-up of a soft yellow doughnut topped with a thick, shiny caramel sauce full of small chopped brown nuts. The caramel layer is uneven and glossy, dripping slightly over the edges of the doughnut, while the nuts add a chunky texture on top. The doughnut sits on a white plate with a smooth surface, placed on a white marbled texture underneath. The focus is sharp on the doughnut in the front, while the other doughnuts in the background are blurred, creating a warm and inviting look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This pecan praline sticky buns recipe isn’t just another sweet roll. It’s the perfect blend of rich, creamy caramel-like topping and soft, tender buns that stay fresh and fluffy. From the first time I made these, I knew I’d found a new weekend favorite to share (and sneak) whenever I want.

Rich Pecan Praline Sauce: The luscious topping perfectly balances buttery sweetness with the crunch of toasted pecans—yes, it’s as good as it sounds.
Soft & Fluffy Dough: Made with simple ingredients and a little patience, you get bakery-quality buns without the fuss or fancy equipment.
Comfort Food Vibes: Cinnamon and brown sugar filling give it a classic warm flavor — the kind that makes mornings feel special.
Impressive Yet Easy: These sticky buns look fancy enough to wow guests but are straightforward enough for a beginner to tackle confidently.

The image shows several pieces of sticky cinnamon rolls covered with a thick, glossy caramel sauce filled with chopped pecans, creating a rich texture on top. One roll is partly eaten, revealing soft, fluffy layers inside that are light yellow with swirls of cinnamon brown. The rolls sit close together on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The sauce glistens under the light, highlighting the rough pieces of nut and the smooth sheen of the syrupy topping. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe combines rich dairy, aromatic spices, and that signature crunchy praline to produce sticky buns with layers of flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a role in making the dough tender and the topping irresistibly sticky.

Flat lay of unshelled whole pecans scattered naturally, a few small white ceramic bowls containing light brown packed brown sugar, melted golden butter, dark amber corn syrup, creamy heavy whipping cream, and ground cinnamon, one whole large brown egg with clean shell, a small pile of off-white all-purpose flour, a mound of fine granulated sugar, a small heap of active dry yeast granules, a small bowl of warm whole milk, and a white ceramic dish holding softened pale yellow butter, all arranged symmetrically with balanced spacing, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Gives creaminess and richness; for the dough and topping, make sure it’s fresh and unsalted for better control of saltiness.
Light or Dark Brown Sugar: Adds moistness and a depth of caramel flavor; dark brown sugar intensifies that molasses undertone, but light works great too.
Dark Corn Syrup: Helps create that sticky, glossy texture in the praline while preventing crystallization.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract: Vanilla amps up sweetness and rounds out the flavor beautifully.
Kosher Salt: Just a touch to balance all the sweetness and bring out the flavors.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess to the praline sauce, making it decadent and luscious.
Pecan Pieces: Toasty, crunchy nuts that provide that classic pecan praline crunch you want on sticky buns.
Active Dry or Instant Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise fluffy and light—don’t skip proofing if using active dry yeast for best results.
Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness to the dough.
Whole Milk: Moisturizes the dough and enriches it for a soft, tender crumb.
Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, helping the dough rise and brown beautifully.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure builder—provides the perfect balance of chewiness and softness.
Ground Cinnamon: Gives that classic warm spice that perfectly complements the sweetness in each roll.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about the Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe is how versatile it is. You can keep it classic or make it your own with tweaks that suit your taste and lifestyle.

Variation: Sometimes I swap pecans for walnuts or toasted almonds if I’m feeling adventurous, and the flavor combo is just as dreamy.
Dairy-Free Twist: Use coconut cream and vegan butter to keep it sticky and rich but dairy-free—still heavenly.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon filling for an autumnal twist that’s especially great around holidays.
Mini Buns: Cut smaller rolls to create delightful bite-sized sticky buns perfect for brunch parties.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe

Step 1: Craft the Pecan Praline Sauce

Start by combining butter, brown sugar, dark corn syrup, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as the butter melts and everything melds together—about 7 to 10 minutes. You want the sauce thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but not too thick. Stir in the pecans last, then spread the sticky praline evenly in your 9x9-inch baking pan. This sauce is the heart of the sticky buns, so take your time getting the right consistency. If you’re prepping ahead, refrigerate and gently reheat before assembly.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Warm your milk to about 110°F (warm to the touch but not hot). Sprinkle yeast and sugar onto the milk and let it sit for 7-10 minutes to bloom if using active dry yeast—you’ll know it’s ready when it bubbles up and smells yeasty. If you’re using instant yeast, skip this waiting step.

Add melted butter, egg, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead with a stand mixer or by hand until the dough is smooth and elastic—about 6-8 minutes in a mixer or 10 minutes hand-kneaded. I always find kneading therapeutic! Shape into a ball, let it rise covered in a warm spot until doubled in size—usually 1 to 2 hours.

Step 3: Roll, Fill, and Shape

Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out to a roughly 10x12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the surface, then sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon evenly. I like patting the sugar gently into the butter—helps it stick and bloom during baking.

Roll the dough tightly from the long side, pinch the seam closed, and trim the ends if they look a bit uneven. Cut into nine even pieces (a sharp knife or dental floss works wonders here). Place the rolls snugly atop the praline sauce in your pan and let them rise again until puffy, about 1-2 hours.

Step 4: Bake and Enjoy

Bake the rolls at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Once out of the oven, invert the entire pan onto a serving plate—watch out for hot caramel drips! Let them cool for 10-15 minutes so the sticky topping sets just right before digging in. Serve these beauties warm for maximum gooey joy.

Top Tip

Having perfected this Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe over several batches, I've learned a few things that make all the difference when you're baking these at home.

Yeast Blooming: Don’t rush this step unless you use instant yeast; properly activated yeast is key to the perfect soft dough.
Butter Temperature: When adding butter to the dough, make sure it’s cooled after melting—too hot and you’ll kill your yeast!
Cutting Rolls: Use dental floss to slice rolls for cleaner edges without squishing your dough.
Upside-Down Unmolding: Invert immediately after baking to keep all that sticky praline sauce perfectly coating the buns.

How to Serve Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe

pecan praline sticky buns - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra gently toasted pecan halves sprinkled on top for added crunch and presentation. Sometimes a drizzle of warm cream or a smear of softened butter takes it to heavenly territory.

Side Dishes

Pair your sticky buns with a fresh fruit salad or a creamy yogurt parfait. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea works beautifully too—making this a perfect weekend brunch or special treat any time of day.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or brunch parties, I like arranging mini sticky buns in a circular bundt pan for a pull-apart dessert centerpiece. You could also drizzle a maple glaze on top or add a sprinkle of sea salt for a contrast that really wakes up the flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover buns covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I find that keeping them slightly warm wrapped in foil inside a low oven revives the softness beautifully.

Freezing

You can freeze the buns pre-baked by wrapping them tightly in plastic and foil—freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake fresh in the morning. Alternatively, freeze leftovers after baking and cool completely, then reheat gently before serving.

Reheating

Wrap individual buns in foil and warm in the oven at 300°F for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the oven helps restore that fresh-out-of-the-oven texture and gooeyness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the pecan praline sauce ahead of time?

Yes! The pecan praline sauce can be made a day in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container. When you're ready to use it, gently reheat the sauce over low heat. This makes your baking day easier and the sauce tastes even richer as the flavors meld.

What’s the best yeast to use for these sticky buns?

Both active dry yeast and instant yeast work well. If you use active dry yeast, be sure to let it bloom in warm milk with sugar until bubbly to ensure the dough rises properly. Instant yeast can be added directly into the flour mixture, saving a bit of time.

Can I substitute nuts in the praline topping?

Absolutely! While pecans are classic, walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts can be used depending on your preference or what you have on hand. Just toast them lightly for best flavor and texture.

How do I keep my sticky buns from being too dry?

Make sure not to overbake the buns—check them around 30 minutes to avoid drying out. Also, properly proofing your dough (letting it rise sufficiently) ensures a soft, airy texture. Storing them in airtight containers helps retain moisture after baking.

Final Thoughts

This Pecan Praline Sticky Buns Recipe is one of those special treats where effort truly pays off—soft dough, warm spice, and that sticky pecan praline topping come together in perfect harmony. Baking them has become one of my favorite ways to slow down and savor a cozy morning at home, and I know you’ll enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to fill your kitchen with delicious aromas and happy smiles.