If you’re on the hunt for an irresistibly soft, buttery, and nutty treat, you’ve got to try this Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe. I absolutely love these buns because they combine everything wonderful about classic cinnamon rolls with the toasty crunch of pecans and a rich buttery pecan glaze that’ll seriously steal the show. When I first tried making these, I was hooked instantly—it’s like biting into a cozy bakery staple with a delightful southern twist. Keep reading and I’ll walk you through how to make buttery, pecan-packed cinnamon buns that your family will go crazy for.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich, Buttery Flavor: The soft, melted butter combined with pecans gives a decadent taste that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Perfect Balance of Spice: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves blend beautifully without overpowering the pecan’s natural nuttiness.
Crunchy & Gooey Texture: You’ll find the soft dough inside contrasts wonderfully with pecan halves on top plus a luscious pecan glaze.
A Family Favorite: This is our go-to for holiday mornings, but really, it’s great any day you want to treat yourself.

The image shows a close-up of sticky cinnamon rolls arranged in a tray with a white marbled textured background. Each cinnamon roll has a soft, golden-brown base with visible spirals of dough. The top layer is covered with a shiny, amber caramel glaze that looks thick and glossy. On top of each roll, there are whole pecan halves that add texture and color contrast with their rich brown shade. The silver, ornate serving spatula is partially lifted under one cinnamon roll, showing the soft, fluffy inside of the pastry. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns, cinnamon roll recipe, pecan sweet rolls, soft buttery buns, pecan cinnamon pastry

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting these buns right starts with ingredients that play nicely together. The soft butter and whole milk create that tender dough we crave, while the spices add warmth. I always recommend using fresh pecans—they really elevate the flavor profile here.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a few tablespoons of very soft unsalted butter shaped into smooth pats, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a few whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown sugar packed firmly, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a handful of whole pecan halves, a small pile of roughly chopped pecans, and a small white ceramic bowl containing a small amount of rapid rise yeast packet contents, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns, cinnamon roll recipe, pecan sweet rolls, soft buttery buns, pecan cinnamon pastry

Whole milk: Use whole milk for creaminess and to activate the yeast effectively.
Unsalted butter: Make sure it’s very soft to help blend smoothly into your dough and filling.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough—dividing it ensures you get just the right texture.
Rapid rise yeast: Helps your dough rise faster, which is great when you’re eager to polish off these buns!
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and contributes to tender dough.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all those lovely flavors.
Egg: Adds richness and helps create that soft, pillowy crumb.
Light and dark brown sugar: Brown sugar in the filling and topping gives a deep caramel flavor and moisture.
Spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves): A warm spice blend that makes these buns irresistible.
Heavy cream: In the pecan glaze adds richness and makes the topping luscious.
Pecans (halves and chopped): The star of the show—fresh and chopped just right for perfect crunch.
Vanilla extract: Adds extra warmth and depth in the glaze.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to keep the core of the Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe traditional to maintain that nostalgic taste, but I also enjoy switching things up sometimes. Feel free to customize it and make it your own—baking is all about having fun, after all!

Add raisins or dried cranberries: I’ve tossed in a handful of dried fruit before; it adds bursts of sweetness that contrast nicely with the pecans.
Swap pecans for walnuts: If you’re not a pecan fan, walnuts make a great substitute and add a slightly different crunch.
Make it dairy-free: Use coconut milk and dairy-free butter alternatives; the buns still turn out tender and flavorful.
Spice it up: Increase cinnamon for a more intense warmth, or add a pinch of cardamom for a subtle exotic twist.

How to Make Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by warming your whole milk until it’s warm but not hot—I usually test it with my finger because anything too hot will kill the yeast. In a large bowl, mix the warm milk with the softened butter and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over this mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets foamy; that confirms your yeast is alive and kicking. Then, add your egg and salt followed by about 3 cups of the flour. Stir until just combined, then gradually add the remaining flour until you get a soft but manageable dough. Knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic—this part is important to get that fluffy texture.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour—or until it’s doubled in size. I sometimes preheat my oven to 200°F, turn it off, and pop the dough in there to get a cozy rising environment. This step makes all the difference for light, airy buns.

Step 3: Make the Filling and Roll It Out

While the dough rises, mix your light brown sugar with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and VERY soft butter. When the dough is ready, punch it down and turn it onto a floured surface. Roll it into a large rectangle, about 12×16 inches. Spread the spiced butter sugar evenly over the dough—don’t be shy here because that filling is where the magic happens! Then sprinkle your chopped pecans across the surface for that lovely crunch-packed bite with every roll.

Step 4: Roll and Cut the Buns

Starting at the longer side, gently roll the dough into a tight log. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the log into 12 even slices—this keeps the buns nice and uniform. Arrange the buns in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, leaving a bit of space for a second rise.

Step 5: Second Rise and Bake

Cover the pan with a towel and let those buns rise for about 30 minutes—while they’re resting like this, preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake the buns for 18-22 minutes until golden and puffed. You’ll know they’re done when they’re nicely browned on top but still soft to touch.

Step 6: Prepare the Butter Pecan Glaze

While the buns bake, melt the unsalted butter for the glaze in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the packed dark brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, chopped pecans, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Bring it to a gentle boil, then simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy. Once the buns are out of the oven, pour this warm glaze generously over the top so those pecans stick and ooze sticky sweetness in every bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe

Perfect Yeast Activation: Always make sure your milk isn’t too hot or too cold before adding yeast; I learned this the hard way after a few failed batches.
Soft Butter is Key: For spreading and mixing, the butter must be soft—not melted. This creates the perfect dough texture and gooey filling.
Sharp Cutting Tool: Use dental floss or an unflavored thread to cut the rolled dough cleanly without squashing the layers.
Don’t Skip the Second Rise: This brief rest after shaping the buns ensures they puff beautifully when baked.

How to Serve Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe

The image shows a close-up of sticky cinnamon rolls in a white pan. Each roll has a golden brown, shiny top layer covered in thick syrup that makes them glisten. The rolls are swirled with light brown cinnamon filling visible through the soft dough layers. On top of each roll is a pile of whole glazed pecans, which are glossy and rich brown in color, adding texture and contrast. The rolls look soft and fluffy with syrup dripping down the sides, and the silver serving spatula is tucked under one roll. The background shows a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns, cinnamon roll recipe, pecan sweet rolls, soft buttery buns, pecan cinnamon pastry

Garnishes

I usually top my warm buns with a light dusting of powdered sugar for the prettiest finish, but if I’m feeling extra indulgent, a drizzle of cream cheese icing pairs beautifully with the buttery pecan glaze. Fresh pecan halves sprinkled on top right before serving add a nice crunch too.

Side Dishes

These buns are perfect with a simple cup of coffee or hot tea in the morning. I also love pairing them with fresh fruit like sliced oranges or berries to balance the richness. For a weekend brunch spread, scrambled eggs and crispy bacon round out the meal nicely without overpowering the cinnamon buns.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions like Christmas morning, I like to serve these buns on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra chopped pecans, whipping cream, and berry jam. You can also bake the rolls individually in fancy ramekins for a pretty, personalized touch that guests will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If it’s warm out, the fridge works fine, but I prefer to let them come to room temp before serving again so they regain softness and flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these buns both before baking and after. If freezing unbaked, shape and slice the buns, then freeze on a tray before moving them to a big freezer bag—this stops them from sticking together. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake fresh. Baked buns freeze well too; just wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature before reheating.

Reheating

For reheating, I like to warm the buns in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes, tented with foil to avoid drying. You could also microwave them briefly with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in—just be careful not to overdo it or they’ll get chewy.

FAQs

Can I prepare the Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the buns the night before, cover them tightly, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, just let them come up to room temperature, give them a little rise if needed, and bake as usual—making your morning stress-free.
What if I don’t have rapid rise yeast?

Regular active dry yeast works fine; just give it a bit longer to proof and for the dough to rise—expect roughly twice the rising time compared to rapid rise yeast.
Can I make these buns nut-free?

If you’re avoiding nuts, you can omit the pecans entirely and increase the cinnamon sugar filling for flavor. Alternatively, try adding dried fruit or seeds like pumpkin seeds for texture, but note the recipe’s classic character comes from the pecans.
How do I tell when the buns are done baking?

Look for golden-brown tops and bottoms when you lift a bun gently with a spatula. Also, they should spring back slightly when pressed. If you’re unsure, a quick toothpick test in the center won’t hurt—it should come out mostly clean.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Butter Pecan Cinnamon Buns Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially around the holidays when we want something special but not overly complicated. They have the perfect mix of soft, sticky, and crunchy, plus that comforting spice combo that feels like a warm blanket on chilly mornings. I can’t recommend these enough if you want to impress your family or just treat yourself. Give it a go—you’ll love how the rich pecan flavor elevates classic cinnamon buns into something extraordinary.