Easy Sticky Buns (Bundt)

By Amy Dong
Updated Feb. 29, 2024

These Easy Sticky Buns in a bundt pan are a must-try if you love the idea of a deliciously sweet, cinnamon nutty flavor! They’re like monkey bread, with a perfectly brown and crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.

Easy stick buns with caramel-like sauce and pecans on a plate. — These Easy Sticky Buns are one of the quickest solutions for enjoying a tasty breakfast treat.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

We all love the idea of a hot, sticky bun, but it’s not often we can make a homemade version in 35 minutes. That’s why this recipe is so good – it’s quick, simple, and incredibly delicious. Here’s why we think you’ll love it:

Quick and Easy: These sticky buns are made in just 35 minutes, perfect for a last-minute brunch or when you’re craving a delicious treat!
Perfect Texture: The deliciously sticky texture of these buns is what sets them apart. It’s the kind of sticky that makes you lick your fingers and go back for more.
Customizable: Switch up the nuts or add raisins to make these sticky buns your own. The variations are endless, and they’re all delicious, just like our Bakery-Style Blueberry Muffins.
Buttery: The combination of melted butter and maple syrup gives these buns a rich, buttery flavor that’s simply irresistible.
Classic Brunch: These sticky buns are a classic brunch favorite. They’re the perfect sweet treat to pair with savory dishes like our Overnight Breakfast Casserole or this Easy Breakfast Quiche.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Buttermilk Biscuits – We use Grands Buttermilk Biscuits, as they tend to have the most consistent rise. If you opt for a different brand, keep in mind that it might take longer to bake.
Pure Maple Syrup – We use this to add a natural sweetness that’s just right, not overly sweet. It also contributes to the stickiness of the buns.
Light Brown Sugar – This is used to sweeten the buns and also to add a delicious caramel-like flavor. You can also use dark brown sugar.
Cinnamon – A classic spice that adds warmth and depth to the buns.
Pecans or Walnuts – These add a wonderful crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the buns.

Substitutions And Variations

Here are some of our favorite variations and substitution ideas to make this recipe your own:

Gluten Free: If you want to make a gluten-free version of these sticky buns, simply use gluten-free biscuit dough and make sure your maple syrup and powdered sugar are gluten-free as well. You’ll end up with a delicious gluten-free treat that everyone can enjoy, similar to this Gluten-Free Apple Crisp.
Chocolate: For a chocolatey twist, add a layer of chocolate chips between the biscuits or sprinkle them on top before baking. You can also drizzle the finished buns with a chocolate glaze for an extra sweet touch like we do with our Boston Cream Cupcakes.
Apple Cinnamon: Add diced apples to the brown sugar mixture for a fruity variation. You can also sprinkle the finished buns with a cinnamon-sugar mixture for an extra burst of flavor.
PB&J: If you want to get really creative, try adding a layer of your favorite jam or jelly along with some peanut butter between the biscuits. It’s a fun twist on a classic recipe that kids will especially love!

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Melted butter and maple syrup mixture in a bowl with a whisk to make sticky buns.

Syrup mixture with nuts in a greased bundt pan to make sticky buns.

Preheat oven to 375F, grease a nonstick bundt pan, and combine melted butter and maple syrup in a bowl. Set it aside for now.
In another bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. Pour half of the syrup mixture into the bottom of a greased bund pan. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture on top.

Overlapping biscuits in a bundt pan covered with cinnamon and brown sugar to make sticky buns.

Freshly baked sticky buns right out of the oven.

Gently place biscuits into the pan, overlapping them. Brush remaining syrup on top and sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture.
Bake for 22-25 minutes at 375F or until the buns are fluffy and brown. Flip the sticky buns onto a serving plate and garnish with powdered sugar.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

These sticky buns are such a treat, and we love that they can be prepped ahead of time. Take a look at our favorite make-ahead strategies for this recipe

Make Ahead: You can prepare the sticky buns a day ahead, let them cool completely, cover them tightly, and store them at room temperature. They can last up to 3 days. Reheat, covered, in oven until warmed through.
Freeze: Our Easy Sticky buns also freeze wonderfully! To do this, prepare the sticky buns as instructed, then let them cool completely. Wrap the pan securely with foil or plastic wrap and place them in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, let the buns thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat and enjoy.

Overhead shot of aasy stick buns with caramel-like sauce and pecans on a plate. — These Easy Stick buns bake to perfection, with a perfectly brown and crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.

Commonly Asked Questions

What type of biscuits should I use for this recipe?

I use Grands Buttermilk Biscuits, as they puff up consistently every time. If you use other brands of refrigerated biscuits, you may need to decrease or increase bake time.

What should I do if the top of the buns brown before they are cooked through?

If the top of the buns browns before they are cooked through, you can cover them loosely with greased foil. This will allow them to continue cooking without browning further.

Why do we need to preheat the oven to 375F with the rack in the lower-middle position?

Preheating the oven ensures that the sticky buns start cooking at the right temperature from the moment they go in. Placing the rack on the lower-middle position helps the buns to cook evenly and prevents them from browning too quickly on the top or bottom.

What is the difference between sticky buns and cinnamon rolls?

The dough and filling can be very similar between the two, but a key difference is the topping. Sticky buns are baked in a syrupy sauce, such as maple syrup, that caramelizes and becomes sticky, while cinnamon rolls are frosted with icing or glaze.

Are these sticky buns the same as monkey bread?

This bundt sticky buns recipe is very similar to monkey bread. It has nearly the same ingredients, which include biscuits smothered in butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar. The main difference is that monkey bread typically has bite-size pieces of dough balls that you can pull apart, rather than whole biscuits. Otherwise, they’re pretty much the same.

Can I substitute the nuts or omit them?

You can certainly omit nuts completely, or you can substitute the chopped pecans with walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, or even sunflower or pumpkin seeds.

How long do sticky buns keep?

Our Easy Sticky buns can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days. Just cover them tightly to prevent them from drying out.

Did you make this?

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