Scented with pumpkin, filled with sugar and pecans, and dripping with a caramel syrup, these pumpkin sticky buns are a perfect fall breakfast treat.

Pumpkin sticky buns on a plate with one on a napkin next to the plate.

I spent last weekend in Boston visiting an old college friend. While there I made the pilgrimage to Flour Bakery and indulged in their famous sticky bun, along with several other delicious confections (don’t ask me how many cookies I ate). The bun was fantastic. But if I’m being completely honest, I think it actually took a close second to the pumpkin sticky buns I baked last week.

Rolled out sticky buns dough with lots of pumpkin cinnamon filling on top.

These buns are incredibly soft and fluffy. The caramel syrup shell is so gooey, you’ll be licking every last finger. The pumpkin flavor is subtle, but present, and it helps keep the dough moist. I like how the Pacific Foods pumpkin puree is slightly more wet, with a stronger concentrated flavor than other packaged pumpkin purees.

If you love these sticky buns, you’ll also love my pumpkin cinnamon rolls with a brown sugar spice filling and easy maple icing.

Pumpkin sticky bunds dough rolled to form a swirl dough.
Pumpkin sticky buns in muffin tins.


These sticky buns are definitely calling your name. Whether you’re planning breakfast for a Thanksgiving crowd, or looking for an indulgent way to start any morning, these buns are it.

Six pumpkin sticky buns on a wire rack.

How to make sticky buns ahead of time

If you’d like to bake this recipe for breakfast, but don’t necessarily want to go through all the trouble first thing in the morning, it is possible to prepare them the night before.

Follow the recipe as written, but place the plastic-wrapped muffin pan with the prepared buns in the fridge. The buns will rise slowly overnight. When ready to bake, let them come back to room temperature for 30 minutes.

A bitten into pumpkin sticky bun showing all the gooey texture and crunchy nuts.

Pumpkin sticky buns on a plate with one on a napkin next to the plate.

Pumpkin Sticky Buns

Servings: 12 buns
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Scented with pumpkin, filled with sugar and pecans, and dripping with a caramel syrup, these pumpkin sticky buns are a perfect fall breakfast treat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

Ingredients
 

For the dough:

  • 1 cup whole milk , warmed to 105-115°F (237 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon active-dry yeast (2 packages, 15 grams)
  • â…“ cup granulated sugar (67 grams)
  • 4 ¼ cup all-purpose flour (510 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (270 grams)
  • ¼ cup butter , melted

For the filling:

  • â…” cup packed light or dark brown sugar (142 grams)
  • â…” cup pecans , chopped (72 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted (56 grams)

For the syrup:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
  • ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar (105 grams)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (60 ml)

Instructions
 

To make the dough:

  • Whisk together ½ cup of the warm milk with the yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the sugar, flour, and salt. Combine the remaining ½ cup milk with the eggs, pumpkin puree and melted butter. Add to the stand mixer and mix until combined. Add the yeast mixture and mix for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Mixture will be soft and sticky.
  • Using floured fingers, gather the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Punch down the dough lightly and let it rest for a few minutes. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 16×19-inch rectangle. Flour your hands and rolling pin as necessary.

To make the syrup:

  • Combine the butter, brown sugar, sugar, corn syrup and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and simmer 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Spoon 2 tablespoons into the cups of a greased muffin pan.

To make the filling:

  • Combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl. Brush the melted butter onto the rolled dough and sprinkle with the pecan mixture.
  • Starting with the long side, tightly roll up the the dough. Cut the dough into 12 rolls and place in the muffin pan on top of the syrup. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake buns until golden, about 30-35 minutes. Let cool in the pan 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Serve warm.

Notes

Note: If desired, you may substitute ground cinnamon for the pumpkin pie spice.
Calories: 529kcal, Carbohydrates: 75g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 77mg, Sodium: 455mg, Potassium: 184mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 40g, Vitamin A: 3796IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 3mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Annalise Sandberg
QR Code
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.