STICKY BUNS

Indulge in the heavenly delight of Sticky Buns, soft and gooey with a rich pecan-caramel sauce. These sweet treats are perfect for a leisurely morning or a special brunch gathering. The secret to making them even more delightful is preparing the dough ahead of time and allowing it to rise overnight in the fridge. When morning comes, all you need to do is bake them off for a warm and delicious breakfast. The pecan-caramel sauce adds a nutty richness, while the optional orange-cream cheese glaze infuses a tangy zest. Prepare these Sticky Buns, and they will become a brunch favorite that everyone will crave.

MAKES 12 STICKY BUNS

INGREDIENTS:

For the Dough:

• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons kosher or 1 teaspoon table salt
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 20 ounces (4 cups) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

For the Pecan-Caramel Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 4 ounces (about 1 cup) toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
• Pinch of kosher salt

For the Filling:

• ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Orange–Cream Cheese Glaze (optional):

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• ¼ cup buttermilk
• 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (from 1 orange)
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• Pinch of kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs until homogeneous. Add the brown sugar, buttermilk, salt, yeast, and melted butter. Whisk until well combined, even if the mixture appears slightly clumpy.
2. Stir in the all-purpose flour with a wooden spoon until a soft and cohesive ball of dough forms.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 2 minutes, until it becomes smooth and silky. Return the dough to the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature until it approximately doubles in volume, which usually takes about 2 hours.
4. In the meantime, prepare the pecan-caramel sauce. Cook the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture starts bubbling. Add the buttermilk, chopped pecans, and salt. Stir to combine, and then pour the sauce evenly over the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish.
5. Create the filling by combining the brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, and set it aside.
6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface into an approximately 16-inch by 12-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with melted butter, leaving a 1-inch border at the top edge. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the buttered portion of the dough. Roll the dough up tightly, jelly-roll-style, into a cylinder. Pinch the seam shut and place the dough seam-side down. Use your hands to shape it evenly.
7. Cut the roll into 12 equal slices using a sharp knife. Place the rolls in the prepared baking dish with the swirl pattern facing up, ensuring that slices from the ends of the log go cut side down. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise until they roughly double in volume, which usually takes about 2 hours (or see Note above for overnight instructions).
8. Preheat your oven to 350°F and adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake the buns for approximately 30 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and are well puffed. Rotate the dish once during baking.
9. Allow the sticky buns to rest for 5 minutes, then invert them onto a serving platter. Scrape out any excess goo from the pan and spoon it over the buns.
10. If desired, prepare the optional orange-cream cheese glaze. In a small saucepan, cook the cream cheese, buttermilk, confectioners’ sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and salt over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it simmers and becomes homogeneous. Spoon half of the glaze over the sticky buns, and reserve the rest to pass at the table.
11. Serve the Sticky Buns immediately, and savor the delicious combination of soft, gooey goodness with the nutty pecan-caramel sauce. The optional orange-cream cheese glaze adds a delightful tang, making these Sticky Buns a breakfast treat worth waking up for.

Enjoy!