One-Pan Maple Pecan Sticky Buns

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-30 · Updated 2026-05-30

Sweet sticky buns enriched with toasted pecans and a rich maple glaze come together effortlessly in one pan for a comforting breakfast treat. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 120 minutes layers all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, warm milk (110°F) into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• optional for dusting powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm milk (110°F) with 1 tbsp granulated sugar; let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 tsp salt to the yeast mixture; stir to form a dough.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic; place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup maple syrup, and 6 tbsp unsalted butter; cook over medium heat, stirring, until butter melts and mixture bubbles.
5. Step 5: Pour the maple glaze evenly into a 9x13-inch baking pan, then sprinkle 1 cup chopped pecans evenly over the glaze.
6. Step 6: Roll out the risen dough into a 12x16-inch rectangle, spread 2 tsp ground cinnamon evenly over the surface.
7. Step 7: Starting at the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 12 equal slices.
8. Step 8: Place the slices cut-side down in the prepared pan on top of the pecans and glaze, spacing slightly apart.
9. Step 9: Cover and let buns rise for 30 minutes; preheat oven to 350°F.
10. Step 10: Bake buns for 25-30 minutes until golden and caramelized on top.
11. Step 11: Let cool for 10 minutes, then invert the pan onto a serving platter to release the sticky buns.
12. Step 12: Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.