Better Than Bakery Sticky Buns Recipe
Description:
The secret to these Better Than Bakery Sticky Buns lies in the art of crafting dough with the perfect texture – soft, fluffy, almost cottony. The key is to avoid over-kneading, which can lead to excess gluten development. This recipe emphasizes kneading by hand, a process that becomes intuitive as you feel the dough transform. 🍞✨
Times:
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Ingredients:
| For the Dough | For the Filling | For the Glaze | For the Syrup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 package dry active yeast | 1/2 cup dark brown sugar | 1/4 cup unsalted butter | 1/4 cup honey |
| 1/4 cup sugar | 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon | 1/4 cup unsalted butter | 1/4 cup unsalted butter |
| 1 1/3 cups milk | 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg | 2 tablespoons light brown sugar | |
| 4 large eggs | 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves | ||
| 2 large egg yolks | 1/2 cup currants | ||
| 1 teaspoon vanilla extract | 1/2 cup chopped walnuts | ||
| 1 teaspoon salt | |||
| 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour | |||
| 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom | |||
| 2/3 cup unsalted butter |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Dough:
- Sprinkle yeast and sugar over milk in a large mixing bowl; let stand until yeast bubbles, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk eggs and yolks together in a small bowl, then whisk in vanilla and salt.
- Sift flour and cardamom together and set aside.
- Stir egg mixture into yeast.
- Add butter and mix by hand until butter resembles small curdles.
- Mix in enough flour mixture to form a loose dough.
- Turn dough onto a work surface sprinkled with remaining flour mixture.
- Knead, incorporating remaining flour, until dough is smooth and springs back slightly when touched, about 5 minutes.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
-
-
Prepare the Filling:
- Mix all filling ingredients except butter and set aside.
-
Prepare the Glaze:
- Grease the sides of 2, 10-inch round cake pans (not spring-form).
- Pour half of the melted butter into each pan; sprinkle each evenly with half of the brown sugar and set aside.
-
Assemble the Buns:
- Punch down the risen dough and turn it onto a lightly floured work surface.
- Roll it out into an even 18 x 12-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick.
- Brush dough with melted butter (see filling ingredients) and sprinkle with filling, leaving a 1/2-inch border on the long sides.
- Use a rolling pin to embed the filling into the dough.
- Fold the long edge of the dough over twice and then proceed to roll the dough into a tight log.
- Use dental floss to slice the log into 12, 1 1/2-inch pieces.
- Place buns, cut side down, into prepared pans.
- Cover with a damp cloth and let rise by 50%, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
-
Bake the Buns:
- Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake until bun tops are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
-
Prepare the Syrup:
- In a 2-quart saucepan, bring honey and butter to a simmer over low heat until slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
-
Finish and Serve:
- As the buns come out of the oven, pour the hot syrup over them and place each pan over a warm burner.
- Using oven mitts to hold each pan, shake to distribute the syrup and caramelize the glaze, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Use a thin spatula to separate the buns from the edges of the pans and from each other.
- Immediately invert the buns in each pan onto a rimmed baking sheet.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then serve these delectable, sticky buns.
Tips for Success:
- Dough Texture: Aim for a smooth, slightly springy dough. Avoid over-kneading to prevent excess gluten development.
- Rising: Watch the dough carefully after the first rise to avoid over-rising, which can affect the final texture.
- Filling: Make sure to leave a border when sprinkling the filling to prevent it from oozing out during baking.
- Syrup Glaze: The hot syrup adds the signature sticky sweetness to these buns. Pour it over the buns immediately after baking for the best results.
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy these Better Than Bakery Sticky Buns warm with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for the perfect indulgent treat. They’re ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack. 🥐☕
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 923.9
- Fat: 43.6g
- Saturated Fat: 24.9g
- Cholesterol: 185.7mg
- Sodium: 442.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 125.6g
- Fiber: 3.1g
- Sugar: 70.4g
- Protein: 12.1g
These Better Than Bakery Sticky Buns are a labor of love, creating a delightful balance of fluffy dough, sweet filling, and sticky glaze. Perfect for sharing with loved ones or indulging in a special treat just for yourself. Enjoy the process of making these bakery-worthy buns, and savor every gooey, delicious bite! 🤤✨
