Description

Pecan Cinnamon Buns with Maple Glaze are soft, fluffy buns filled with warm cinnamon spice and crunchy toasted pecans, topped with a rich, glossy maple glaze that perfectly balances sweet and nutty flavors. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these comforting buns fill your kitchen with an inviting aroma and offer a delightful texture and taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 cup whole milk, warmed
1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Filling

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Maple Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
Optional: 1-2 tbsp sour cream or cream cheese for creaminess

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk to a comfortable temperature and dissolve the yeast with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and cinnamon. Gradually add the melted butter, eggs, and yeast mixture to the flour and stir until a sticky dough forms.
Knead and Let Rise: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, typically 1 to 1.5 hours.
Roll and Fill: Once risen, roll the dough into a large rectangle. Spread melted butter over the surface, then sprinkle evenly with cinnamon, sugar, and chopped toasted pecans. Carefully roll the dough tightly starting from the long edge into a log shape.
Slice and Second Rise: Cut the rolled dough into 1.5-inch thick evenly sized buns. Arrange the buns in a greased baking pan, leaving space between them to expand. Cover again and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buns for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly in the pan before glazing.
Maple Glaze Finish: Mix powdered sugar and pure maple syrup until smooth and pourable. Add sour cream or cream cheese if desired for extra creaminess. Drizzle generously over warm buns, allowing the glaze to seep into every crevice for the perfect sweet finish.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients to help dough come together smoothly and rise better.
Don’t overfill the buns to avoid sogginess.
Toast pecans on a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned, then cool before use.
Cover dough during rises with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap to retain moisture.
Glaze the buns while warm for optimal absorption and shine.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bun
Calories: 320
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: pecan cinnamon buns, maple glaze, cinnamon rolls, breakfast buns, soft cinnamon buns, nutty cinnamon buns, brunch recipe