Making the perfect sticky buns involves a blend of soft, sweet dough, gooey caramelized filling, and a warm, indulgent texture. Here’s how you can craft these delicious treats step-by-step.
Ingredients for the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for the Sticky Caramel Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Ingredients for the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and the milk is warm (around 110°F). Remove from heat and add the water.
- Pour the warm milk and butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and stir until the dough starts to come together.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead for 5-7 minutes.
- Once kneaded, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Caramel Filling:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the caramel filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the caramel has thickened slightly.
- Pour the caramel mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Optionally, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the caramel for added texture.
3. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined. This will create the cinnamon-sugar paste for the filling.
4. Shape the Rolls:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
- Spread the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Starting from the long edge, carefully roll the dough into a tight log. Slice the log into 12 equal-sized pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
5. Arrange the Rolls:
- Place the cinnamon rolls cut-side up into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish on top of the caramel. Arrange them tightly, so they’re almost touching. This will help them rise into each other during baking and create soft, pull-apart rolls.
- Cover the dish loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let the rolls rise for about 30-45 minutes until they puff up.
6. Bake the Sticky Buns:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and the caramel is bubbly. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake, as oven temperatures can vary.
- Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
7. Invert and Serve:
- After the rolls have cooled slightly, carefully invert the baking dish onto a serving platter or large sheet of parchment paper. The sticky caramel will ooze over the rolls.
- Serve the sticky buns warm for the best experience, and enjoy the soft, gooey, and indulgent treat.
Tips for Perfect Sticky Buns:
- Use fresh yeast: Ensure your yeast is active by checking the expiration date or testing it in warm water with sugar. It should foam up within a few minutes.
- Don’t skip the second rise: Allowing the buns to rise before baking ensures a light and fluffy texture.
- Customize with fillings: Add raisins, currants, or even chocolate chips for variation. You can also adjust the nuts based on personal preference.
- Serve immediately: Sticky buns are best when fresh and warm, but you can store them at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds to restore their gooey texture.
With these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy the perfect batch of sticky buns—soft, sweet, and irresistible!