introduction
Thanksgiving morning is special. It’s a quiet time before dinner starts, a moment to enjoy coffee and anticipation. Imagine making this better with the smell of warm spices and fresh-baked goodness. Picture sharing golden, sticky Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning with loved ones. We are making memories with each delicious bun.
why make this recipe
These Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning are easy and elegant. They taste wonderful with sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel. Your home will smell like cinnamon, brown sugar, and baking apples, making it festive. You can make these the night before Thanksgiving to save time. They are comfort food with a holiday twist.
how to make Apple Pecan Sticky Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning
Making Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning involves a few simple steps. First, you prepare the dough and let it rise. Then, you make the sticky topping and spread it in your pan. Next, you roll out the dough, add the apple pecan filling, and slice the buns. After a second rise, you bake them until golden and bubbly. Finally, you invert them to serve.
Ingredients of Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning
- For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Active dry yeast
- Warm milk
- Melted butter
- Egg
- Salt
- For the Apple Pecan Filling:
- Diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Chopped pecans
- Melted butter
- For the Sticky Topping:
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Honey or maple syrup
- Heavy cream
- Salt
- Chopped pecans (for lining the pan)
Directions of Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning
- Prepare the Dough:
- Put yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar.
- Mix flour, sugar, salt, egg, and melted butter with the yeast mixture.
- Knead until smooth.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- Make the Sticky Topping:
- Melt butter, brown sugar, honey/maple syrup, and cream in a pot.
- Heat until it simmers, then take it off the heat.
- Pour the sticky topping into your baking pan(s) and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Assemble the Rolls:
- Roll out the risen dough into a rectangle.
- Brush with melted butter.
- Spread diced apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pecan filling over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Cut the log into individual buns.
- Second Rise:
- Place the cut buns on top of the sticky topping in your prepared pan(s).
- Cover lightly and let them rise again until puffy.
- Bake and Serve:
- Heat the oven to the right temperature.
- Bake until golden brown and the topping is bubbly.
- Carefully flip the pan onto a serving plate right after baking.
- Let cool a little before serving.
how to serve Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning
Serve these Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning warm. They are great with coffee, tea, and fresh fruit for a classic Thanksgiving breakfast. They are also a wonderful addition to a holiday brunch. You can enjoy them as a simple sweet treat after your Thanksgiving meal. For an extra touch, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
how to store Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning
Store leftover Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. You can also refrigerate them for longer. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to enjoy them again.
tips to make Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning
Do not use too much flour; it can make the dough tough. Make sure your milk is warm, not hot, for the yeast. Your rising spot should be warm. Roll the dough tightly so the filling stays inside. Flip the buns quickly after baking so the sticky topping covers them well. Do not rush the rising process; it makes the buns light and fluffy.
variation
- Caramel Apple Sticky Buns: Drizzle more melted caramel sauce over the buns after flipping.
- Cranberry Orange Twist: Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the dough and dried cranberries to the apple filling.
- Spiced Pear: Use diced pears instead of apples for a different seasonal taste.
- Nut-Free Option: Leave out the pecans or use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make these Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning the day before?
Yes, you can! You can prepare your Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning the night before. After the second rise, cover them and put them in the refrigerator. Bake them fresh in the morning. This saves time on a busy holiday.
Q2: What kind of apples should I use for Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning?
Use firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for your Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning. They keep their shape well when baked and balance the sweet topping.
Q3: My sticky topping is not very gooey. What did I do wrong?
To get a gooey sticky topping for your Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning, cook the caramel mixture enough. Flip the buns right after taking them from the oven. If it is too thick, you might not have used enough heavy cream or cooked it too long. If it is too thin, it might not have come to a gentle simmer.

Warm Autumn Apple Pecan Sticky Buns for Thanksgiving Morning
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Small saucepan
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Sharp knife or dental floss
- Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel
- Serving plate or platter
- Oven
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 1 cup Warm milk 105-115°F
- 1/4 cup Melted butter
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Salt
For the Apple Pecan Filling:
- 2 medium Diced apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup Chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons Melted butter
For the Sticky Topping:
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Chopped pecans for lining the pan
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and a pinch of sugar in warm milk until foamy, then stir in remaining sugar, salt, egg, and melted butter.
- Gradually add flour to form a soft dough, then knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
Make the Sticky Topping:
- While the dough rises, combine unsalted butter, brown sugar, honey/maple syrup, heavy cream, and salt in a small saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring until melted and dissolved, then simmer for 1 minute before removing from heat.
- Pour the topping into a 9x13 inch baking pan and sprinkle with 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
Assemble the Rolls:
- Punch down the risen dough, then roll it into a 12x18 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
- Brush the dough with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with a mixture of diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/2 cup chopped pecans.
- Tightly roll the dough into a log from one long side, then cut into 12 equal 1.5-inch thick slices using a sharp knife or dental floss.
Second Rise:
- Arrange the cut buns in the prepared pan with sticky topping, leaving space between them.
- Cover lightly and let rise again in a warm place for 30-45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
Bake and Serve:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Immediately invert the hot pan onto a serving plate, scraping any remaining topping over the buns.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
