Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Some foods are so good that even the most daring of food bloggers won’t make them. We know that we have a serious commitment to our readership and want to make everything possibly good and feed you guys with words and images and recipes, but some foods are just off limits.

Why?

Well, we find ourselves eating the whole pan is why.

This is the very reason why I still haven’t purchased an ice cream maker or a pasta press.  I know that if I owned such devices I would forever be eating ice cream and pasta.  Everyone loves an honest, well-fed blogger, but how much can we love her if she weighs 500 lbs?

But, I have a responsibility to cook as much as possible and share the best recipes I have made.  Sometimes, I must couch my waistline fears, suck it up, and eat foods like these perfect Cinnamon Sticky Buns.

Cinnamon Sticky Buns require no introduction as they are a universally popular treat.  Men who infrequently eat sweet baked goods suddenly become weak at the knees with the promise of cinnamon and pecans.  Women who are saving their calories for after swimsuit season suddenly peal apart one loop of the bun and their diet is moot.

The point is, these sticky buns are so insanely good, so insanely easy that I think everyone should try them at home regardless of the consequences.  However, you may need someone to force you to step away from the pan! So, I suggest baking this dish for a large group of friends to prevent possibly sticky hazards.

Cinnamon Sticky Buns

This recipe is adapted from Oprah Magazine, but can be found in another form over at Simply Recipes.  See here for Elise Bauer’s version of this easy, delicious sticky bun recipe.

Ingredients:

–Dough–

* 1/4 cup warm water

* 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or, one package)

* 1/3 cup sugar

* 3/4 cup milk

* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

* 3 large egg yolks

* 1 tablespoon finely grated orange or lemon zest

* 1 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 4 to 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

–Filling–

* 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

* 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

* 4 tablespoons butter, melted

–Topping–

* 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

* 3 tablespoons honey

* 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (leave out for no-nut option)

1.) Make the dough.  Add water and yeast together in standing mixer with sugar.  Whisk quickly to dissolve sugar and allow wet mixture to sit for five minutes until frothy.

2.) Using a dough hook, mix in milk, butter, egg yolks, lemon or orange zest, and flour (gradually).  When mixture is fully combined, it will be a sticky, lumpy dough that doesn’t stick to the sides.

3.) Wrap dough in plastic wrap and allow to sit at room temperature for two hours, or until dough has doubled in size.

4.) Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out dough to a 12 x 18 rectangle.  Brush with the 4 tablespoons melted butter from the filling ingredients.

5.) Mix cinnamon and brown sugar and sprinkle over the surface of your dough.

6.) Using both hands, roll dough longways into a tube and set seam-side down.

7.) Taking a clean sharp knife, cut the dough into 15 slices.

8.) Meanwhile, make your topping mixture of nuts, butter, honey, and brown sugar.  Pour into the bottom of a large casserole dish.

9.) Place dough slices flat side down making sure to crowd the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to refrigerate for at least 24 hours.

10.) When you’re ready to bake the cinnamon sticky buns, preheat oven to 375F and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until buns are golden brown.  Remove from oven and carefully flip backing dough onto a serving dish.  Serve and enjoy! Makes 15 servings.

–Helana Brigman

—

Follow me on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/helana/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DancesWLobsters

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clearly-Delicious/103136413059101

Tumblr: http://clearlydelicious.tumblr.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/helanabrigman