I don’t prepare many recipes twice, so you know I must really like something if it makes a repeat appearance in my kitchen. It’s been eight months since I first baked these sugar buns and, if I recall correctly, I ate the entire batch (though not in one sitting, thankfully). They are that good.
I had to make them again. This time around, I rolled sugar, cinnamon and toasted pecans in the dough. Heaven. Like Finnish cinnamon rolls, they are somewhere between a fluffy sweet bun and a sugar cookie in taste and texture – and pair perfectly with a cup of hot coffee.
If you’re looking for a fun baking project, give this cinnamon-sugar buns recipe a go. They’re perfect for gifting or hoarding.
Recipe adapted from Eat Already!
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup water
- 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup pecans
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 teaspoon water
- In a large bowl, heat milk and water until warm - about 30 seconds in the microwave should do. Add the yeast and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Whisk together until thoroughly combined and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
- Add the remaining granulated sugar and the rest of the dough ingredients (butter through egg) to the milk mixture, stirring everything until it comes together to form a shaggy ball. Then knead the dough by hand (or with a dough hook attachment) until it’s smooth and elastic - this will take about 10 minutes (or less if using a stand mixer). Shape dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let it rise for 3½ hours.
- While the dough rises, heat a small fry pan over medium-high heat. Add pecans and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant, 3-5 minutes. Remove nuts from pan; let cool and chop.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugars, cinnamon and pecans. Set aside.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 12 equal pieces. Gently shape each piece into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Using a rolling pin, roll each piece of dough into a circle, about 6 inches in diameter. Brush one side of the dough with butter and sprinkle with 1½ teaspoons filling; roll it up into a log. Pinch the ends together, forming a teardrop-shaped loop.
- Lay the loop in the palm of one hand. Using kitchen shears, carefully cut the loop in half widthwise leaving the point of the loop intact. Open up the two halves to form a heart and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough.
- Lightly cover buns with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour.
- When buns have almost finished rising, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Remove plastic wrap from buns and brush tops with egg wash. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Gorgeous buns. Thanks for linking back. You did beautiful work.
My pleasure – love these buns!
These look delicious! In the photos it looks like they’ve been sprinkled with a coarse sugar, is that what you did to finish them off?
Thanks, Carol! I sprinkled Demerara sugar on top.
Is it possible in this recipe and other like this, to freeze the pastry raw and just take out a few each time and bake????
Hi Christine – I have never tried freezing and baking the buns but think it would work. The second rise (after you remove the shaped buns from the freezer) will just be longer. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
I will 🙂
Ohhh and I made your cinnamon roll bearclaws, they are AMAZING…… Thought I should tell you hehehe
Yes! So glad you liked them!
Do these taste good the day after they’re made? I don’t think I could do all the steps the same morning I’d like my family to eat these. Thanks!!
I’m sure they would be OK but I always freeze my pastries and then defrost/reheat them as I’m ready to eat them.