Name: Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 1 (0.25 oz) package rapid rise yeast; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 cup light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon cloves; 1/2 cup butter, VERY soft; 1 1/2 cups pecan halves; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/3 cup heavy cream; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

If you’re a fan of buttery, nutty, and spiced sweet rolls, then you are absolutely going to love this Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe. These buns are the ultimate indulgence—so soft and fluffy with a rich pecan topping that’s sticky, crunchy, and just the right kind of sweet. When I first tried this recipe, I was hooked instantly; it’s become my go-to when I want to impress family or just treat myself. Stick around—I’m going to share all the best tips to make sure your buns come out perfect every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Buttery Flavor: The combination of softened butter and pecans creates an irresistible taste and texture every bite.
Perfect for Special Mornings: These buns shine on holidays or cozy weekend breakfasts and always wow guests.
Easy to Follow Steps: The step-by-step approach helps even beginners nail the dough and filling effortlessly.
Customizable Spices: You can adjust the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for your favorite warm spice mix.

The image shows a close-up of sticky cinnamon rolls arranged in a tray with a white marbled textured background. Each cinnamon roll has a soft, golden-brown base with visible spirals of dough. The top layer is covered with a shiny, amber caramel glaze that looks thick and glossy. On top of each roll, there are whole pecan halves that add texture and color contrast with their rich brown shade. The silver, ornate serving spatula is partially lifted under one cinnamon roll, showing the soft, fluffy inside of the pastry. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns, sweet rolls with pecans, cinnamon buns recipe, nutty cinnamon rolls, soft bakery-style buns

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work beautifully together to create a tender, flavorful dough and a gooey, crunchy pecan topping. Fresh pecans are key here—I recommend buying them whole and chopping yourself for the best texture and freshness.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a few tablespoons of very soft unsalted butter shaped into smooth pats, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a few whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown sugar packed firmly, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a handful of whole pecan halves, a small pile of roughly chopped pecans, and a small white ceramic bowl containing a small amount of rapid rise yeast packet contents, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns, sweet rolls with pecans, cinnamon buns recipe, nutty cinnamon rolls, soft bakery-style buns

Whole Milk: Warmed slightly to activate the yeast, it’s the base for the dough’s tender crumb.
Unsalted Butter: Two kinds—softened for the dough and melting point for the topping—makes all the difference.
All-Purpose Flour: Using fresh flour ensures a soft but sturdy dough to hold the filling and rise beautifully.
Rapid Rise Yeast: This speeds up the dough’s rise so you can enjoy your buns faster.
Granulated Sugar: Adds just enough sweetness for balanced flavor in the dough.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Large Egg: Helps enrich the dough, giving it that rich texture you’re after.
Light Brown Sugar: For the cinnamon filling—it adds moisture and a deep caramel hint.
Ground Cinnamon and Warm Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves create a comforting, aromatic filling.
Dark Brown Sugar & Butter (for topping): These create that classic sticky glaze on top with a luscious caramel flavor.
Heavy Cream: Combined in the topping for extra richness and creaminess.
Pecan Halves and Chopped Pecans: The star nuts add crunch and classic buttery pecan flavor in every bite.
Vanilla Extract: Brings all the flavors together into a harmonious finish.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

While I love the classic Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe as is, I often tweak it to match the season or dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to tailor it to your liking—you’ll find each variation adds a fun twist.

Gluten-Free Version: I experimented with a gluten-free flour blend and, with the right moisture adjustments, it still yielded great soft buns (just watch rising times closely).
Spice Adjustments: For a little extra warmth, I sometimes add cardamom or increase the ginger, which gives a cozy fall vibe.
Nut Swaps: If you’re not a pecan fan, walnuts or hazelnuts work great and change the flavor profile while keeping that crunch.
Sweet Glaze Instead of Sticky Topping: Some days I swap the pecan caramel topping for a simple vanilla glaze drizzle—less sticky but still delicious.

How to Make Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by warming the milk until it’s just lukewarm (about 100°F). You want it warm enough to activate the yeast but not hot enough to kill it. Next, stir in the rapid rise yeast and a pinch of sugar; you’ll see some foam forming after about 5 minutes, which means your yeast is happy and alive! In a large bowl, mix 3 cups of the flour with the sugar, salt, and softened butter, then add the egg and the yeast mixture. Stir everything together, then gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup flour as you knead until the dough is soft but not sticky. This usually takes about 8 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer. The key is a smooth, elastic dough. Cover it with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, usually about an hour.

Step 2: Make the Spiced Filling

While the dough is rising, mix together the light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. I like to toast the spices lightly in a dry pan beforehand to really bring out their aroma—this is a little extra step that makes a big difference! Once mixed, set aside. When the dough is ready, roll it out into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the spiced sugar mixture on top. This filling blend is what gives these cinnamon buns their signature warm and cozy flavor that your whole family will rave about.

Step 3: Roll, Cut, and Arrange

Carefully roll the dough up tightly from the long side into a log. Try not to roll it too tight because you want the filling to swirl but not squeeze out. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into 12 equal slices. I always measure to keep the buns uniform so they bake evenly. Place the slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, leaving a little space between each one for expansion. Cover and let rise another 30 minutes until puffy but not too much or they’ll overflow in the oven.

Step 4: Prepare the Butter Pecan Topping and Bake

For that incredible sticky topping, melt the 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a saucepan, then stir in the dark brown sugar, heavy cream, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly. Pour half of this topping over the cinnamon buns before baking, and sprinkle the pecan halves evenly on top. The rest of the topping will be drizzled on after baking, along with the roughly chopped pecans for extra crunch and texture. Bake the buns at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until they’re golden and bubbling. The smell alone will have you counting down the minutes!

Step 5: Finish with Topping and Serve

Once you take the buns out, immediately drizzle the remaining sticky butter pecan topping over the buns and sprinkle with the chopped pecans. This sticky layer adds that irresistible crunch and gooey pecan flavor that makes these cinnamon buns truly special. Let them cool for a few minutes, though don’t wait too long—you want them warm but not molten so they hold their form and you can enjoy every gooey bite cleanly.

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Pro Tips for Making Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe

Warm Your Ingredients: Make sure your milk and egg are at room temperature to help the dough rise without shock.
Don’t Over-Roll the Dough: Roll it just enough to spread the filling evenly; too thin and the buns get tough.
Use Fresh Pecans: Freshly chopped pecans have so much more flavor and crunch—never skip this step!
Watch Your Bake Time: Ovens vary, so start checking at 18 minutes to avoid drying out the buns.

How to Serve Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe

The image shows a close-up of sticky cinnamon rolls in a white pan. Each roll has a golden brown, shiny top layer covered in thick syrup that makes them glisten. The rolls are swirled with light brown cinnamon filling visible through the soft dough layers. On top of each roll is a pile of whole glazed pecans, which are glossy and rich brown in color, adding texture and contrast. The rolls look soft and fluffy with syrup dripping down the sides, and the silver serving spatula is tucked under one roll. The background shows a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns, sweet rolls with pecans, cinnamon buns recipe, nutty cinnamon rolls, soft bakery-style buns

Garnishes

I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a simple vanilla glaze drizzle for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal. Sometimes, just a few whole pecans placed on top of each bun right before serving adds that beautiful nutty finish that catches the eye and palate alike.

Side Dishes

These buns pair wonderfully with a strong cup of coffee or chilled apple cider. For a brunch spread, I often serve them alongside fresh fruit salad and creamy scrambled eggs to balance the richness. A dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone also makes a lovely side for extra indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

On special occasions, I bake these buns in individual ramekins and top each with a pecan half and a drizzle of honey—so charming and perfect for holiday morning tables. You can also bake them in a Bundt pan for a pull-apart cake style that’s fun to share with a crowd.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (though it rarely happens in my house!), you can store the cinnamon buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best results, bring them to room temp before serving or give them a quick few seconds in the microwave.

Freezing

I often freeze the unbaked buns after the first rise by placing the cut rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freezing until solid. Once frozen, I transfer them to a freezer bag and bake them straight from the freezer, adding extra baking time (usually 10-15 minutes). It’s such a lifesaver for busy mornings!

Reheating

To reheat, pop your buns in a 300°F oven wrapped loosely with foil for about 10 minutes. This prevents the topping from burning but warms the buns through beautifully. A few seconds in the microwave also works if you’re in a hurry, but you may lose some of that fresh-baked texture.

FAQs

Can I make the Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe without nuts?

Absolutely! If you or your guests have nut allergies or simply prefer it without nuts, you can omit the pecans altogether. You might want to add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or even some raisins to keep that filling interesting and flavorful.
How long does it take to make these cinnamon buns from start to finish?

From start to finish, including rising and baking time, plan for about two hours and ten minutes. The dough needs about an hour to rise the first time and another 30 minutes after assembling. Baking takes about 20 minutes, so it’s great for a relaxed morning baking project.
Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Yes! You can prepare and let the dough rise in the fridge overnight, which also helps develop richer flavor. Just take it out to come to room temperature before shaping and second rising. This makes morning preparation a breeze.
What makes this Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe different from traditional cinnamon rolls?

The addition of chopped pecans both inside and as a sticky topping sets these apart by adding texture and that distinct buttery pecan flavor. Plus, the blend of warm spices (ginger, nutmeg, cloves) adds deeper complexity beyond the classic cinnamon-sugar.
How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy on the bottom?

Using a well-greased baking dish and pouring some of the topping before baking helps form a barrier that caramelizes. Also, avoid over-baking, which can dry out edges and cause sogginess. Letting the buns cool slightly before serving helps the topping set just right.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how the Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe brings the warmth of spices together with the crunch of pecans and the softness of freshly baked dough. It’s become my family’s favorite on holiday mornings, and honestly, even on regular weekends when we deserve a little treat. If you’ve been searching for that perfect sweet bread recipe that feels both cozy and special, give this one a try—you’ll find it’s a total game-changer. Trust me, once you make these, your breakfast game will never be the same.