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Orange Pecan Sticky Buns

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Girl vs Dough
Updated Nov 16, 2014
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Delicious overnight sticky buns made with nutty pecans and zesty oranges.

More About This Recipe

  • This is the kind of recipe I make to establish friendly relationships with others.

    Need to suck up to your boss after that embarrassing PowerPoint snafu? Make these sticky buns.

    Need to impress a new boyfriend or girlfriend (or a potential one)? These sticky buns will woo him or her in two shakes.

    Need to give yourself a pep talk via food? Insert sticky bun into mouth. You will be glad you did.

    This recipe for Orange-Pecan Sticky Buns is great because you let the buns rise in the refrigerator overnight, which means you don’t have to get up at 6 a.m. so breakfast can be ready by 10 a.m.

    All you do is prepare them the night before, stick them in the fridge, sleep, wake up, preheat the oven, bake them and voila — cinnamon sticky buns oozing with tasty, sticky, gooey, sweet and nutty orange-pecan glaze. They’re irresistible, and taste even better when you make them for someone you love, or are trying to love, or are trying to get to love you.

    Though I left my pecan halves whole when mixing them with the topping, you can go the traditional route and chop them finely in the food processor before putting them into the mix. And the nutty pecan flavor mixed with the sweetness of the caramel mixed with the zesty citrus taste of orange?

    My goodness. It’s a sticky bun that can’t be denied – which is why, even on bad days (or on bad terms), this is the go-to recipe to brighten anyone’s day!

    Stephanie (aka Girl Versus Dough) joined Tablespoon to share her adventures in the kitchen. Check out Stephanie’s Tablespoon member profile and keep checking back for her own personal recipes on Tablespoon!

Orange Pecan Sticky Buns

  • Prep Time 2 hr 45 min
  • Total 11 hr 15 min
  • Servings 15
  • Ingredients 19
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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup warm water (for dough)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (for dough)
  • 1/3 cup sugar (for dough)
  • 3/4 cup milk (for dough)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus 1 tbsp for greasing (for dough)
  • 3 large egg yolks (for dough)
  • 1 tablespoons finely grated orange zest (for dough)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon salt (for dough)
  • 4 cups Gold Medal™ unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting (for dough)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for filling)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for filling)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for filling)
  • Half zest from an orange (for filling)
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (for topping)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for topping)
  • 3 tablespoons honey (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice (for topping)
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup pecan halves (for topping)

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine water, yeast and 1 tsp sugar. Whisk to combine and let sit 5 minutes, or until yeast mixture is foamy.
  • Step 
    2
    Add to it milk, butter, remaining sugar, egg yolks, orange zest, salt and 3 cups flour. Mix on low speed with paddle attachment until just combined.
  • Step 
    3
    Switch paddle attachment with dough hook and increase speed slightly, add the remaining 1 cup flour in increments. Once all flour has been added, increase speed to medium and knead about 5 minutes, or until dough is slightly sticky, smooth and elastic (add a little bit more flour if it’s really tacky until it’s at the right consistency).
  • Step 
    4
    Remove dough from bowl and place in a large lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 1 to 2 hours.
  • Step 
    5
    Once dough has risen, punch down and place on a lightly floured countertop and let rise 20 minutes.
  • Step 
    6
    In the meantime, make the filling — combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Melt butter and keep separate.
  • Step 
    7
    Roll out dough into a 12-by-18-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar/cinnamon mixture. Sprinkle with orange zest. Starting from the long side, roll up dough into a tight cylinder. Place seam side-down on a flat surface and cut crosswise into 15 equal slices.
  • Step 
    8
    Make the topping — in a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, orange juice and orange zest over low heat. Stir until butter and sugar are melted. Pour mixture into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan and sprinkle pecan halves on top.
  • Step 
    9
    Place dough slices flat side-down on top of prepared topping, crowding them so they touch. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight to rise.
  • Step 
    10
    In the morning, preheat oven to 375°F — remove buns from the refrigerator and let stand on countertop while oven preheats.
  • Step 
    11
    Bake buns until golden brown, about 30 minutes; immediately invert pan onto a baking sheet or serving tray. Let buns cool slightly and serve warm.

Nutrition

No nutrition information available for this recipe
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