Maple Sticky Buns

Maple sticky buns are soft sweet rolls that are topped with a buttery, maple brown sugar topping. These maple pecan sticky buns make a fantastic weekend or holiday breakfast!

Maple sticky bun on a white plate with a piece missing from the front.

Sticky buns make a tasty alternative to cinnamon rolls. While the dough and the fillings in the two types of sweet rolls are similar, sticky buns are topped with a sweet, buttery topping that’s hard to beat!

This recipe was based on my popular easy homemade sticky bun recipe. The maple syrup really adds something special to the sticky buns!

These maple sticky buns are rich and delicious sweet rolls that have a lovely hint of maple flavor. They’re topped with a sweet, buttery sticky nut topping, and they can easily be made from scratch. The sticky buns make a special breakfast for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or Easter.

“These came out of the oven this evening and everyone was waiting to grab one. We loved them!” – Dana

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Ingredient notes and substitutions

Milk – Skim to whole milk will work. However, using whole milk will give you a softer, richer dough.
Butter – I use salted butter in the dough, filling, and topping. If using unsalted butter, add an extra pinch or two of salt.
Instant yeast – Feel free to use active dry yeast. If using active dry yeast, simply let the yeast proof for 5-10 minutes after step 4, or until the yeast is foamy.
Warm water – It’s important that the water be warm but not too hot. Water that’s too hot can kill the yeast. If you don’t have a kitchen thermometer, the water like warm bath water but shouldn’t feel too hot for you.
All-purpose flour – It’s important to properly measure the flour. Too much flour in the dough will give you dry, heavy rolls. Either weigh the flour (the weights can be found by clicking on “metric” under the ingredients) or sift/stir it to break it up. The lightly spoon it into the measuring cup and level.
Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar will work.
Maple syrup – I highly recommend using pure maple syrup. However, I’ve heard from people who have successfully used pancake syrup.
Maple flavor – Maple flavor helps to bump up the maple taste. It can be found with extracts in the grocery store.
Pecans – Toasting the pecans helps to really bring out the nuttiness. Feel free to sub walnuts or omit the nuts if necessary.

How to make maple sticky buns

Here you’ll find step-by-step photos showing how to make the recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.

Making the dough

Step 1: Grease a 9×13-inch metal baking pan; set aside.

Step 2: In a small saucepan, stir milk, sugar, and butter together. Cool to about 100-105 F.

Melted butter and milk and yeast in a silver mixing bowl.

Step 3: Pour the milk mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the yeast and warm water.

Step 4: Add 2 cups flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed for about 1 minute.

Step 5: With the mixer still going, add remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time. Mix until dough starts to clean the sides of the bowl.

Kneaded sticky bun dough in a silver mixing bowl.

Step 6: Knead on low speed for about 2 more minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic – the dough will still be slightly sticky to the touch.

Step 7: Place dough in a greased bowl, turning it to grease the top. Cover the dough with a clean, dry dish towel.

Risen sticky bun dough in a silver mixing bowl.

Step 8: Let it rise in a warm place, free from draft, for about 10 minutes.

Making the topping

Maple sticky bun topping in a glass mixing bowl.

Step 9: While dough is rising, prepare the topping. Whisk the topping ingredients except for the water in medium bowl until smooth.

Mixed up sticky bun topping in a glass mixing bowl.

Step 10: Add water and whisk until combined.

Step 11: Pour mixture into prepared pan. If necessary, tilt pan to get mixture to cover pan. Sprinkle evenly with pecans, if using. Set aside.

Forming the rolls

Sticky bun dough rolled into a rectangle.

Step 12: Turn the dough onto a floured surface, and use a rolling pin to roll into a 12×16-inch rectangle.

Step 13: Stir filling ingredients together, and spread over dough.

Maple sticky bun dough rolled up into a log.

Step 14: Roll dough up lengthwise, pinching seam to seal.

Step 15: Slice into 12 pieces, and place over topping in prepared baking dish. Dental floss or a serrated knife work well to cut the dough.

Step 16: Cover the baking dish with the dish towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rise for about 15 minutes.

Baking

Step 17: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F. Bake until the rolls are golden brown.

Step 18: Tent with aluminum foil, and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until baked through. Let the sticky buns cool in pan for 5 minutes.

A pan of maple sticky buns inverted on a baking sheet.

Step 19: Place a serving dish over the pan, and carefully invert pan. Be careful as topping will be hot.

Step 20: Remove pan, and replace any topping that has fallen off. Let buns sit 10-15 minutes before serving.

A maple sticky bun pulled away from the rest of the sticky buns.

Recipe FAQs

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

That’s ok! Just use a large bowl, and you can mix and knead the dough by hand. You will just need to add 2 additional minutes to the kneading time.

What if I have a glass baking pan?

If you’re using a glass baking pan, decrease the oven temperature by 25F and begin checking on the sticky buns 5 minutes sooner.

Front view of maple sticky buns on a tray.

How to create a good spot for the dough to rise

Since the rising time is fairly short, it’s important that the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot. If your kitchen is cool, you can create a spot by turning the oven on to 350F for exactly 60 seconds.

Then, turn the oven off. This will give you a good spot to let the dough rise.

A maple sticky bun and a fork on a white plate.

Storage

The sticky buns are best eaten when they’re freshly made. If you have leftovers, simply cover, and store in an airtight container at room temperature. They should keep for 2-3 days.

A maple sticky bun on a white plate with a bite out of it.

More easy sweet roll recipes!

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5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Ingredient notes and substitutions