If you’re craving bakery-style decadence with minimal effort, these Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns are about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender, fluffy rolls swirled with cinnamon, all nestled in a bubbling layer of buttery caramel and toasted pecans—ready in under an hour, no kneading or rising required. This recipe uses handy refrigerated cinnamon rolls, so you can have irresistible, gooey sticky buns with a fraction of the work and all of the flavor. Whether you’re hosting a special brunch, holiday morning, or just want to spoil yourself, Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Get ready to see just how a handful of simple ingredients transform into a tray of the most irresistible Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns. Each component brings something essential to the party—whether it’s texture, sweetness, or aroma—making every bite pure magic.

Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls (with icing): The ultimate shortcut—ready-to-bake dough guarantees soft, pillowy buns and includes a handy icing packet for the perfect finishing touch.
Chopped Pecans: Add irresistible crunch and buttery flavor, elevating the sticky topping to something truly special. For extra depth, try toasting them first!
Brown Sugar (packed): This is key for the gooey, caramel-like stickiness that makes these buns so addictive.
Unsalted Butter: Melted down with the sugar, it creates a rich, luscious base for the pecan layer.
Corn Syrup or Maple Syrup: Either option works here, giving you the shine and sticky texture everyone loves—use maple for a hint of earthy sweetness.
Cinnamon: It wouldn’t be Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns without cinnamon—this spice adds warm, comforting flavor in every swirl.
Pinch of Salt: Just a touch heightens all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.

How to Make Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns

Step 1: Get Ready

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9-inch round or square baking dish. This helps the sticky, delicious topping release when the buns are flipped out of the pan—no stubborn sticking here!

Step 2: Make the Sticky Pecan Layer

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup or maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently and keep cooking until the mixture is smooth and bubbling, about 2–3 minutes. This simple sauce transforms into the gooey, nutty magic layer everyone loves.

Step 3: Assemble the Buns

Pour the warm, sticky mixture into your greased dish, making sure it covers the bottom evenly. Sprinkle the chopped pecans all over—don’t skimp, because every bite deserves a generous crunch!

Step 4: Add the Cinnamon Rolls

Open the can of cinnamon rolls and place each roll on top of the pecan mixture, spacing them out just a bit so they have room to puff up. You’ll see them nestle in as they bake, soaking up all that gooey goodness.

Step 5: Bake and Flip

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 25–28 minutes, or until the rolls are beautifully golden and cooked through. Let everything rest for about 5 minutes—this makes inverting a breeze—then carefully flip the buns onto a serving plate, turning the pecan layer into the crowning, sticky topping.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Grab the icing packet and drizzle it over the warm buns, letting it melt deliciously into the sticky pecan topping. Serve the Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns warm (preferably with lots of happy faces around you) and watch them disappear!

How to Serve Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns

Garnishes

Give your Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns a bakery-worthy flourish with a sprinkling of extra toasted pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon right before serving. If you want a dramatic, glossy finish, a second drizzle of warm icing or even a dollop of whipped cream makes them totally irresistible.

Side Dishes

These buns are pure comfort on their own, but they pair beautifully with a bowl of fresh fruit or a tangy fruit salad to balance the sweetness. For brunch, serve alongside softly scrambled eggs or a creamy Greek yogurt for a more rounded meal. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea makes the whole experience extra cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch buffet, stack the sticky buns on a tiered cake stand so guests can pull one apart for themselves. For special occasions, cut each bun in half and sandwich with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, turning these Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns into epic, handheld desserts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have extras, cover the buns tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and delicious at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for about four days—just be sure to bring them back to room temp before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

For longer storage, individually wrap each cooled bun in plastic, then seal in a freezer-safe bag. These Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns freeze beautifully for up to two months. When the craving hits, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm up before serving.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked magic, pop buns into the microwave for about 15–20 seconds, or into a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. The sticky pecan topping gets gooey again, and the rolls taste bakery-fresh. Add an extra drizzle of icing if you want to take them over the top!

FAQs

Can I use a different type Breakfast, Dessert

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work well if you’re out of pecans, though pecans really shine in this recipe. Just make sure to chop any nuts you use for even crunch and distribution in your Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns.

What if I don’t have corn syrup?

No worries—you can use maple syrup, honey, or even agave instead. Each gives a slightly different flavor, but you’ll still get that essential stickiness in the topping.

Can I make these vegetarian?

Yes! As written, this recipe is already vegetarian-friendly. Just double-check your cinnamon roll label to be certain there are no sneaky animal-derived ingredients.

How do I prevent the rolls from sticking to the pan?

Thoroughly greasing your baking dish is key. Also, letting the buns rest a few minutes before inverting helps the sticky layer stay intact and slide out smoothly—no stuck-on sugar disasters!

Can I prepare them the night before?

You sure can! Prep the sticky pecan mixture and assemble the rolls in the dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let the dish sit at room temp while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. Hot, fresh Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns with zero morning effort!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself, these Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns deliver all the gooey, nutty goodness of classic bakery buns without the work. Give them a try—you’ll be amazed at how fast, fun, and delicious homemade sticky buns can be. Happy baking!

Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate breakfast treat with these Easy Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns. A gooey, pecan-studded topping crowns these golden cinnamon rolls, making them a must-have for any brunch or holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sticky Pecan Topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans

For the Cinnamon Rolls:

1 can (16 oz) refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round or square baking dish.
Melt Sticky Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with brown sugar, corn syrup (or maple syrup), cinnamon, and salt. Stir until smooth and bubbling, about 2–3 minutes.
Prepare Topping: Pour the sticky mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle chopped pecans over it.
Add Cinnamon Rolls: Place the cinnamon rolls on top of the pecan mixture, spaced slightly apart.
Bake: Bake for 25–28 minutes until golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
Drizzle: Drizzle with the icing from the cinnamon rolls and serve warm.

Notes

Toasted pecans add extra crunch and flavor.
You can prepare the sticky mixture in advance and store it in the dish until ready to bake.
Perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American