These pecan sticky buns with frozen bread dough taste like they came straight from a bakery!
With a homemade caramel pecan topping, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. You can even prep them the night before and bake them fresh in the morning, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions.
Check out all the other Cinnamon Roll Recipes for even more delicious gooey treats to try!
This recipe is a variation of one I’ve been making for years, but with a simple shortcut—using frozen bread dough to save time without sacrificing that rich, caramelized pecan goodness.
Looking for more Breakfast Recipes? Try my Cinnamon Roll Crescents, these French Toast Sticks, and even my Scrambled Egg Muffins with Bacon and Cheese. Yum!
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Easy Cinnamon Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough
Table of Contents
- Easy Cinnamon Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Money-Saving Tip
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- My Kitchen Tools Essentials
- Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Pecan Topping
- Expert Tip
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Food Safety Tips:
- 💬 Comments
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Make-ahead friendly – Can be prepared overnight and baked fresh in the morning.
Quick and easy – No need to make dough from scratch, cutting down prep time.
No Yeast Needed – If working with yeast has been a struggle, this recipe is perfect for you!
Customizable – Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds, or add cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavor.
Great for gatherings – A crowd-pleaser that’s ideal for brunch or dessert.
Money-Saving Tip
- Stock up on frozen bread dough when it’s on sale or buy in bulk at your local grocery store—store brands often work just as well as name brands!
- The same goes for pecans—buy them in bulk or when they’re discounted, and keep them in the freezer to stay fresh and prevent them from going stale.
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set (6 Piece Set)
Coloch 3 Pack Ceramic Baking Dishes, Rectanglar Bakeware Set Hand-painted Lasagna Pan Porcelain Serving Bakeware for Pasta, Chicken, Kitchen, Banquet, Microwave and Dishwasher SafeQEES Casserole Carrier For Hot or Cold Food,Casserole Carrier,Pie Carrier,Casserole Dish With Lid and Carrying Case,Insulated Casserole Food Carrier For Travel Party Picnic,Pioneer Woman Dish CarrierMaple Grove Farms Organic Pure Maple Syrup, Grade A Amber, 8.5 OunceZulay Kitchen 15.9 inch Professional Stainless Steel Rolling Pin - Lightweight Metal French Rolling Pin - Perfect for Baking, Fondant, Pizza Dough Roller, Dumpling
Check out my list...
My Kitchen Tools Essentials
Tools that will make your time easier and faster in the kitchen!
Recipe Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- Use crescent roll dough for a shortcut or homemade brioche dough for a richer texture.
- Swap out the pecans for walnuts or almonds.
- Try adding raisins or dried cranberries, or mix in orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Try adding pumpkin spice to the brown sugar mixture when preparing them in the Fall.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: On a piece of parchment paper, roll the dough into a rectangle about 24 inches long. Use a ruler!
Step 2: Spread the softened butter evenly on the dough. You don't want to use melted butter.
Step 3: Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together. Then sprinkle it over the buttered dough.
Step 4: Roll the dough up and pinch to seal. Cut into ½- to 1-inch rolls. Allow them to rise for about 30 minutes.
Make the Pecan Topping
Step 5: Combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, syrup, and salt in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for about a minute. Pour the sauce over the chopped pecans in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 6: Place the cinnamon rolls on top of the pecans and sauce.
Expert Tip
For extra flavor and a gooier texture, let the rolls sit in the caramel-pecan mixture for a few minutes after baking before flipping them onto a serving plate. This allows the topping to fully coat the rolls for an irresistible, bakery-style finish!
Baking Instructions
Step 7: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. After cooling for 5 minutes, place a platter on top of the baking dish and carefully flip it over to transfer the sticky buns to the platter. Let sit a few minutes, then enjoy!
Before You Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
To thaw frozen bread dough, place it in a greased bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight for the best texture, or let it sit at room temperature for 2-4 hours until soft. For a faster option, place it in a warm (but off) oven with a damp towel, checking every 20-30 minutes until thawed.
You can find frozen bread dough in the freezer section of most grocery stores, usually near frozen rolls, biscuits, and puff pastry.
How to Store, Freeze and Reheat
Refrigerate: Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezer: Place the baked and cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to three months.
Thaw and Reheat: Allow the rolls to defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a microwave in 20-second intervals or warm in a 300°F oven for best results.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Check out my other recipe for Cinnamon Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough. Or you might like this recipe for Pecan Butter Tart Buns.
📖 Recipe Card
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Pecan Sticky Buns with Frozen Bread Dough
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Rolls:
- 1 loaf Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough, defrosted
- ½ cup brown sugar, light or dark
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the Pecan Topping:
- 2 cups chopped pecans
- ½ cup butter
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Turn the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll it into a rectangle about 24 inches long.
- Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle the mixture over the buttered dough.
- Starting at one end, roll the dough up tightly, tucking in the ends and pinching to seal.
- Slice the roll into ½- to 1-inch sections—you should get about 12 rolls. Place them on a sheet of parchment paper for about 30 minutes to rise while you prepare the pecan topping.
- Add the chopped pecans to the bottom of a 9X13 casserole dish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, syrup, and salt. Stir constantly and let the mixture simmer for about a minute. Remove from heat and pour over chopped pecans.
- Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the rolls cool for 5 minutes.
- Using oven mitts, place a serving tray or baking pan on top of the casserole dish and carefully flip the casserole dish over letting the buns slide out onto the tray. Be careful as the topping will be hot.
- Remove the casserole dish and scrape any leftover pecans still in the casserole dish on top of the buns.
- Let them sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Food Safety Tips:
- Ensure foods are cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Avoid cross-contamination by using separate utensils for raw meat and cooked foods.
- Use separate utensils and surfaces for raw ingredients, especially eggs, to prevent cross-contamination.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
- Refrigerate or consume food promptly; don’t leave it at room temperature for extended periods.
- Keep a close eye on food while cooking to prevent accidents.
- Choose oils with a high smoking point to minimize the release of harmful compounds.
- Maintain good ventilation when using a gas stove to ensure safety and comfort.
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