Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (2024)

These ooey gooey vegan sticky buns are the real deal! These sticky buns feature a pillowy sweet roll with a gooey brown sugar filling baked with a maple pecan caramel on the bottom that flips on top! You can even make these sticky buns gluten free!

Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (1)

If you’re looking for a quick and easy vegan Christmas breakfast recipe or holiday brunch, you must try these vegan sticky buns (although my vegan cinnamon rolls and vegan pumpkin cinnamon rolls are also a good option as well!).

Super gooey and sweet, these maple sticky buns have a super easy dough that bakes into the fluffiest rolls, all topped with a decadent pecan caramel topping that makes these sweet buns the ultimate breakfast recipe.

Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (2)

And the best part? You’d never know these sticky buns are vegan, made without eggs, no dairy, and you can even make these sticky buns gluten free as well, based on my gluten free vegan cinnamon rolls recipe!

The pecans get so toasted and nutty that these vegan scrolls just scream autumn!! Make these vegan sticky buns for a delicious Thanksgiving breakfast or even Thanksgiving dessert if you’d like!

What are sticky buns?

​If you’ve never had a sticky bun, rest assured- you’re in a for a treat! Sticky buns are essentially a sweet roll traditionally baked with a sticky caramel pecan filling on the bottom of the pan. Once baked, you flip the sticky buns upside down, and peel off the parchment paper to revel pecan caramel glaze baked into the sweet rolls.

Sticky buns vs. cinnamon rolls

But how are sticky buns different than cinnamon rolls? Both sticky buns and cinnamon rolls use an enriched dough to make their base. However, with sticky buns, we’re using way less cinnamon in the filling (the flavor is more of a brown sugar taste).

Andddd we bake the sticky buns with a pecan caramel topping on the bottom that flips to be the top! Whereas cinnamon rolls have a ton of cinnamon in the filling, and are topped with a powdered sugar glaze 🙂

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Overivew: How to make vegan sticky buns:

​You’re just going to love how easy these vegan sticky buns are to make! We’ll start with the dough, and then move onto the filling and pecan caramel topping.

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Now to prepare the sticky bun topping, we’re essentially making a caramel sauce before adding in the chopped pecans. It’s like pecan pie, but a little more gooey!

I recommend using a medium or small saucepan, and to air on the side of lower heat just to make sure you don’t burn the sugar. For the vegan butter, I like to use Miyoko’s or Plant Crock.

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Now to shape the dough!

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Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (10)

My favorite cinnamon rolls trick:Slice the dough individuallybeforeyou roll the dough into a sweet bun. This is even better than the dental floss trick. You’ll end up with super clean and even swirls that bake just beautifully!

Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (11)
Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (12)

Need to make them overnight?Not a problem! You can still rise the dough overnight in the fridge. Shape the rolls, and then place some plastic wrap over the casserole dish before placing them into the fridge. This will slow down the yeast so that it doesn’t rise the dough too fast.

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Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (16)

How to make sticky buns gluten free:

For my gluten free eaters, don’t worry- you can absolutely make these as gluten free sticky buns! And we’re not even using a gluten free flour blend- so don’t worry about buying a specific brand!

To make these sticky buns gluten free, you’ll simply swap in my gluten free cinnamon roll recipe as the base dough recipe. Use the filling here rather than the filling in the cinnamon rolls, and proceed on with the caramel pecan topping!

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You’re just going to absolutely love these vegan sticky buns! They’re the perfect additional to your holiday brunch. If you make these sticky buns, be sure to leave a comment and rating down below!

Happy baking!

Want to save this recipe for later? Add it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. This helps others to find the recipes! As always, I absolutely love to see your beautiful creations on Instagram and Pinterest, so be sure to tag me there as well!

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Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (18)

Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Britt Berlin
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Resting time: 60
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

These ooey gooey vegan sticky buns are the real deal! Soft and pillowy sweet rolls topped with a maple caramel pecan glaze for the ultimate holiday breakfast recipe! You can even make these sticky buns gluten free!

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

  • 4 1/4 cups (540 g) bread flour or all purpose flour* (plus more for flouring surface)
  • 1 packet (8 g) quick rise yeast
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 1/4 cup (270 mL) dairy-free milk, unsweetened, warmed
  • 1/3 cup (87 g) dairy free yogurt, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (57 g) salted vegan butter, room temperature

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup (113 g) vegan butter
  • 1/2 cup (150 g) coconut sugar or organic brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) maple syrup
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) chopped pecan halves and pieces
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling:

  • 1/3 cup (82 g) vegan butter or coconut oil, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (200 g ) brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Prep:Measure out all ingredients for the dough. Grease a large mixing bowl for the proofing of your dough, and grease a 9×13″ casserole dish lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Make the dough:Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and quick rise yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Add in the warm dairy free milk, along with the dairy free yogurt. Attach the bowl to a stand mixer with dough hook attachment, and mix on medium-speed until a shaggy dough forms. Add in the vegan butter and continue mixing on high-speed to knead the dough for 7-10 minutes. Hold your stand mixer in place if it’s moving around, or use a wooden spoon or knead by hand if making the dough by hand.
  3. Proof:Once the dough is kneaded, place the kneaded dough into the greased bowl and cover with a clean dish towel. Let the dough rise until doubled in size in a warm place (ideally 85F), about 30-60 minutes, depending on the temperature.
  4. While the dough is proofing:Prep the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and coconut sugar. Set aside. Then we’ll make the topping while the dough is still proofing
  5. Make the pecan topping:Prepare the pecan topping while the dough is still rising. In a medium sauce pan, melt the vegan butter and sugar on medium heat until the sugar is melted into the vegan butter, about 3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the sugar! Once melted, remove the pan from heat, and whisk in the maple syrup and vanilla, followed by pecan pieces. Pour the topping onto the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. The rolls will bake on top, then you’ll flip them to make the pecan topping on top and the rolls on the bottom.
  6. Roll and shape the sticky buns: Once doubled in size, lightly flour a clean surface, and place the dough in the middle of the lightly floured surface. Flour the top of the dough and a rolling pin. Roll the dough out to be 12×18″ long. Spread the melted vegan butter along with brown sugar cinnamon filling onto the dough to the edges of the rectangle. Now, on the 18″ side, mark where you’ll slice the sticky buns every 1.5″. Once marked, you’ll use a pizza cutter or a large kitchen knife to slice the 1.5″ strips that are each 12″ long. Roll each strip into a cinnamon roll shape, and place the roll into the prepared baking pan on top of the pecan caramel sauce.
  7. Rest the rolls again:While the rolls are covered and resting, preheat the oven to 350F.
  8. Bake the sticky buns:Place the rested rolls, which have now doubled in size, into the oven to bake for 35-38 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are lightly golden brown.
  9. Flip:Allow the buns to cool for 10-15 minutes. Then place a piece of parchment paper on top of the buns, followed by a cooling rack. Use the oven mitts to flip the casserole dish and cooling rack upside down so that the cooling rack is now on the bottom and the casserole dish is upside on top. Remove the casserole dish and peel back the parchment paper to reveal the sticky buns.
  10. Serve and enjoy!Store any leftover sticky buns in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

Gluten free:For gluten free, swap in my gluten free vegan cinnamon rolls recipe dough for the dough portion of this recipe. Follow those instructions for preparing the dough. Then continue on with Step 6.

Maple Vegan Sticky Buns Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a morning bun and a sticky bun? ›

Sticky buns start with a caramel glaze poured into a baking dish. Then, the buns are placed on top, and, after baking, you invert the pan onto a plate, so the glaze is on top. Morning buns have a different type of dough — more like a croissant, but a little chewier.

What's the difference between a sticky bun and a honey bun? ›

Instead of having the glaze poured over the top after cooking (which is how it goes down with most sticky bun recipes), honey buns are cooked upside down in a baking pan that's been lined with the sticky, hearty honey and pecan topping ahead of cooking; much like the cinnamon bun method.

What's the difference between a sticky bun and a cinnamon roll? ›

Though sticky buns may contain cinnamon, they do not always contain the spice, whereas cinnamon rolls always contain cinnamon (as the name implies). As a result, sticky buns have a more nutty and toffee-like taste compared to cinnamon rolls, which are more sugar-and-spice forward.

Are honey buns and cinnamon rolls the same? ›

Unlike their close cousin, the cinnamon roll, these honey buns don't just offer soft, ooey-gooey vibes. They're more complex in flavor, with deeply caramelized nooks and crannies, floral notes of honey, and the chew of a well-developed yeast bread.

What are sticky buns made of? ›

Cinnamon rolls and sticky buns both have a similar base: a "rich" dough, which has some fat worked into it like milk, butter, and eggs. Both recipes have a filling of butter, cinnamon, and sugar, and the dough is rolled up and cut into individual buns before being baked.

How do you freeze sticky buns before baking? ›

To do this, prepare the sticky buns according to the recipe: make the dough, roll it out, fill it, roll it up, cut into slices and place the slices it in your sticky-glaze filled baking dish. Then, cover the baking dish very tightly with plastic wrap. You can then either freeze the rolls or refrigerate them.

What are the three types of buns? ›

How many types of buns are there? - Quora. Brioche Bun. Ciabatta Bun. Potato Bun.

Are Costco morning buns good? ›

And my verdict is that they are good, but they're definitely not the best morning buns I've ever had. They get a little dry on the outer layers, too.

How sticky should bun dough be? ›

Generally, while dough should be a little tacky to the touch, it shouldn't cling to your hands (certain types of bread might call for a stickier dough, but unless that's stated in the recipe, sticky dough is a no-go). Most often, the problem is too much water in the dough.

What is a sticky bun in England? ›

a small, sweet bread, often with nuts or fruit inside or on the top, and with melted sugar on the top: Tomorrow I'm going to make sticky buns for breakfast.

What is the best honey bun in the world? ›

We certainly think they're the most delicious. Mrs. Freshley's® Jumbo Honey Bun has captured three American Chefs Best Awards, four Snack Producers Awards for Breakfast Foods, and Automatic Merchandiser magazine's “Pastry Product of the Year” award.

Why are Cinnabon cinnamon rolls so good? ›

The baked-good giant lists three components that set them apart from other retailers: fresh-baked dough, cream cheese frosting, and a proprietary blend of cinnamon (Makara).

What are cinnamon buns called in England? ›

But its English variations are countless too: roll, bun, bunny, swirl, snail...

What is slang for cinnamon bun? ›

synonym ▲ Synonym: cinnamon bun. (slang, neologism) A person perceived as good, gentle and kind. Often a fictional character who undergoes emotional suffering.

What country invented honey buns? ›

Honey bun
Commercially-prepared honey buns
TypeSweet roll
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateNorth Carolina
Created byHoward Griffin
2 more rows

Does Krispy Kreme make honey buns? ›

I was definitely pleased with my order of the Krispy Kreme jumbo glazed honey buns and although they are a little pricey it's worth it.

Are honey buns discontinued? ›

Little Debbie product-maker McKee Foods Corp. confirmed to CTV News its corner store staples, to the likes of Swiss Rolls and Honey Buns, will no longer be distributed in Canada. "This was not our decision," a McKee Foods spokesperson said in an email Wednesday.

What is the white stuff on honey buns? ›

It is often greeted with the words: “What's that white stuff on top?” Regardless of the raw honey's form, runny or crystallized, it may be topped with a thin layer of froth, which will solidify in crystallized honey.

How do you know when sticky buns are done? ›

Baking the Sticky Buns

Bake at 350°F for 45-60 mins until the tops are golden brown and the internal temperature in the center reads 190°F. Use a thermometer to check, as the baking times will vary depending on what size pan you use.

Do sticky buns need to be refrigerated? ›

If you wish to nibble for a day or two, keep the buns covered or wrapped and store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate, this will dry out the product.

Do you have to refrigerate cream cheese frosting on cinnamon rolls? ›

Do you need to refrigerate cinnamon rolls? Unfrosted cinnamon rolls do not need to be refrigerated and will keep best at room temperature. Iced cinnamon rolls, and especially rolls with cream cheese frosting, should be stored in the fridge.

Is it better to freeze baked or unbaked cinnamon rolls? ›

The decision to freeze cinnamon rolls before or after baking depends on your schedule and preference. Freezing the unbaked rolls keeps the dough fresh and ready to rise, perfect for that fresh-baked aroma on busy mornings. This gives the best results for enjoying fresh cinnamon rolls in a time crunch.

How do you store homemade sticky buns? ›

Store the buns in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll keep for about 2-3 days, and this time can be extended by storing them in the refrigerator. To reheat, just pop a roll in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.

What is the difference between a morning bun and a croissant? ›

Morning buns are made with croissant dough that's light, flaky, and extremely buttery, rather than a chewier, more bread-like dough. They are sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, occasionally orange zest, and peel apart in delicate, fluffy layers.

What strain is sticky buns? ›

Sticky buns is a hybrid cannabis strain, enjoyed by reviewers who say it has evenly balanced effects. Born from a Kush Mints and Gelatti cross, this tasty strain will quickly lift you up, and slowly bring you down, according to many who have consumed it.

Where did the morning bun originate? ›

Supposedly originating from a Berkeley café in the 1970s, the morning bun was one of Accettola's first introductions to San Francisco's pastry scene when she moved to the city in 2015.

How to eat morning buns? ›

Let the morning buns cool slightly and then eat warm or at room temperature.

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