When the seasons change and the weather gets colder, the need for comfort food increases. The warm smell of cinnamon, caramel, and toasted nuts filling your kitchen makes a rainy day feel instantly cozier. One of my favorite fall baking ideas? Walnut Sticky Buns. Soft, fluffy dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a gooey walnut caramel glaze – they’re basically fall in a baking dish.
Extra Tips for Successful Walnut Sticky Buns
- Make ahead: You can prepare the rolls the night before. Let them rise in the fridge overnight, and bake fresh in the morning.
- Reheat magic: Sticky buns taste best the same day But you can reheat them in the oven at 150°C (300°F) for 10 minutes to refresh them.
- Nut variations: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts for a fun twist.
- Shortcut version: If you don’t want to deal with yeast dough, use store-bought pizza dough or puff pastry for a quicker bake. It won’t be exactly the same, but still delicious.
Why These Sticky Buns Are the Perfect Fall Bake
There’s something about the combination of cinnamon, caramel, and nuts that screams autumn.
Pair them with a hot apple cider or a homemade pumpkin spice latte, and you’ve got the ultimate fall treat. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself on a rainy day, these sticky buns will wrap you up in warmth and comfort.
Let’s bake!
Walnut Sticky Buns Recipe
Ingredients
Dough:
- 500 g All-purpose flour (4 cups)
- 60 g Sugar (¼ cup)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 ¼ tsp Instant yeast (1 packet)
- 250 ml Warm milk, plant-based also works (1 cup)
- 60 g Butter, melted or vegan butter (¼ cup)
- 2 Eggs or 2 flax eggs if vegan
Filling:
- 100 g Brown sugar (½ cup)
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 60 g Butter, softened (¼ cup)
Sticky Walnut Topping:
- 115 g Butter (½ cup)
- 150 g Brown sugar (¾ cup)
- 60 ml Maple syrup or honey (¼ cup)
- 120 g Walnuts, roughly chopped (1 cup)
Instructions
Make the Dough
- Add the warm milk, one spoon sugar and the yeast into a bowl. Allow this mixture to sit for 5 minutes, or until frothy.
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, the remainder of the sugar and salt. Now add the warm milk mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes (or 5 minutes with a stand mixer) until smooth. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
Prepare the Sticky Walnut Topping
- In a saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup together over medium-low heat.
- Stir constantly until smooth and bubbly – you don’t need to melt the sugar into a clear caramel. Stop as soon as the mixture is smooth, thick, and lightly bubbling. Pour into a greased 23×33 cm (9×13 in) baking dish and sprinkle walnuts evenly on top.Tip: Don’t overcook the sugar mixture on the stove – it will finish caramelizing in the oven. If it starts to smell burnt or turns too dark, you’ve gone too far.
Roll & Fill
- Roll dough into a rectangle (about 40×30 cm / 16×12 in).Mix together the softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the dough then roll it tightly into a log and slice into 12 equal pieces.
Assemble & Rise Again
- Place the buns cut-side up in the prepared dish on top of the walnut caramel. Cover and let rise another 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
Flip & Serve
- Cool for 5 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving tray so the sticky walnut topping is on top. Serve warm for maximum gooey deliciousness.
As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing better than filling your home with the scent of cinnamon, caramel, and toasted walnuts.
These sticky buns aren’t just a recipe – they’re a little moment of comfort to share with family, friends, or to savor all to yourself. So, grab your mixing bowl, pour a cup of something warm, and let the magic of fall baking wrap you in cozy sweetness.
If you give this recipe a try, let me know in the comments how it turned out! Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest or share it with a friend who loves fall baking as much as you do.
Hungry for more?
