Irresistible Homemade Caramel Cinnamon Nut Buns: A Delectable Recipe for Sweet Mornings

There are some treats so utterly delicious, so perfectly comforting, that they vanish almost as soon as they emerge from the oven. Our homemade Caramel Cinnamon Nut Buns fall squarely into this category. Freshly baked, with their intoxicating aroma of cinnamon, sweet caramel, and toasted nuts, they barely stood a chance in our house, disappearing within a mere 15 minutes. And I have a strong feeling they’ll become an equally cherished, and quickly devoured, favorite in yours too.

What makes these buns truly special is the exquisite balance of flavors. The dough itself is designed to be subtly sweet, acting as a perfect canvas. This intentional moderation allows the star players – the rich, gooey caramel, the warming cinnamon, and the satisfying crunch of the nuts – to truly shine through, creating a symphony of textures and tastes in every single bite.

You might be wondering about the origin of this particular recipe. Initially, I stumbled upon a similar concept online, but as often happens in a busy kitchen, I found myself without half the required ingredients. Rather than abandon the idea, I embraced the challenge! This led to a delightful improvisation, where I tweaked, substituted, and refined until this recipe became entirely my own. It’s a testament to how creative cooking can lead to truly exceptional results, often surpassing the original inspiration.

I love using this vanilla with butternut flavoring instead of plain old vanilla for an extra layer of depth.

One of my favorite secret ingredients for elevating baked goods is a good vanilla flavoring. While plain vanilla is always wonderful, experimenting with variations like vanilla with butternut flavoring can add an unexpected layer of warmth and complexity. It complements the caramel and cinnamon beautifully, making these buns even more irresistible.

The beauty of homemade baking lies in its imperfections. When you place these rolls into the pan, they might look a little crammed, nestled closely together. But fear not – that’s exactly how they should be! As they rise and bake, they’ll create soft, tender sides, soaking up all the delicious caramel and cinnamon goodness, ensuring every part of the bun is infused with flavor.

Once baked to a golden perfection, these buns present a delightful dilemma: how to enjoy them? My kids absolutely adored the generous drizzle of caramel topping, making each bun a sweet, sticky delight. My husband and I, however, found ourselves reaching for a simple pat of melting butter. Both approaches were utterly yummy, proving that there’s no wrong way to savor these treats. Regardless of the chosen topping, the outcome was the same: not a single bun survived past the 15-minute mark!

This recipe is incredibly versatile, and it’s fun to imagine future variations. Next time I bake a batch, I’m already planning to swap out the caramel bits for mini chocolate chips in the filling. Just thinking about that combination – warm chocolate, cinnamon, and nuts – makes my mouth water. It might happen very soon… very, very soon!

Caramel Cinnamon Nut Buns are more than just a recipe; they’re an experience. They bring warmth to your kitchen, joy to your taste buds, and smiles to faces. Whether you’re making them for a special breakfast, a weekend brunch, or simply a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, they are guaranteed to be a hit. The combination of soft, yeasted dough, fragrant cinnamon, crunchy nuts, and a luscious caramel glaze makes them truly irresistible.

For those days when time is of the essence, or if you’re not in the mood for baking entirely from scratch, there’s a fantastic shortcut that delivers delicious results almost as quickly. Simply pick up a pack of pre-rolled cinnamon rolls from your local grocery store. Before baking, unroll them slightly and sprinkle generously with chopped nuts and caramel bits. Then, follow the baking instructions on the package. While they’re baking, whip up the homemade caramel topping (instructions below) and drizzle it lavishly over the warm rolls straight out of the oven. You’ll have a delightful, semi-homemade treat that tastes almost as good as the scratch version, and it will disappear just as fast!

These Caramel Cinnamon Nut Buns are genuinely perfect for any occasion that calls for a touch of sweetness and comfort. They are, of course, a quintessential breakfast pastry, ideal for starting your day on a high note. Imagine a leisurely Sunday morning, a cup of coffee, and one of these warm, sticky buns. Pure bliss! But don’t limit them to breakfast; they also make a wonderful dessert, a delightful addition to a brunch spread, or a comforting treat for an afternoon tea.

Ready to bake? Here’s the detailed recipe to guide you through creating your own batch of these incredible Caramel Cinnamon Nut Buns.

Caramel Cinnamon Nut Buns Recipe

Ingredients

Dough

Caramel-Cinnamon Nut Buns
1 cup lukewarm water (not higher than 110 F 43 C) 236 mL
2 teaspoons Active dry yeast 6.4 g
2 tablespoons sugar 24 g
3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 348 g
3 tablespoons milk 45 mL
3 tablespoons butter, softened 45 g
1 1/4 teaspoons salt 6.25 g
2 teaspoons baking powder 7.5 g
2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring 10 mL

Filling

2 Tablespoons softened butter 30 g
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar 24 g
1 Tablespoon cinnamon 7.5 g
1 Tablespoon Brown sugar 12.5 g
1 cup chopped nuts 120 g
1/2 cup caramel bits 164 g

Topping

1/2 cup caramel bits melted over low heat with 164 g
3 tablespoons cream (heavy or half and half) 45 mL

Instructions

Combine yeast, water and sugar in a bowl and let sit for about 10 minutes (until the top is foamy). In large bowl combine dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder) make a well in the center and add yeast mixture, milk, butter and flavoring. Mix until you have a soft dough. Cover with a towel and let rise about 1 hour.
Remove dough from bowl and roll out to approximately an 18 x 18 inch square (42 cm x 42 cm).
Spread softened butter over top of rolled out dough. Combine sugars and cinnamon, sprinkle over rolled out dough leaving 1 inch (2 cm) uncovered on 1 edge only. Repeat sprinkling with nuts and caramel bits.
Roll up jelly roll style starting at end opposite of the uncovered edge. Now slice into rolls about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Place on greased pan, sides touching. Cover and let rise again, about 1 hour.
Don’t worry if they look sloppy; their close proximity helps them bake up soft. Bake in a preheated 350 F (177 C) oven for 20-24 minutes, until they are a light golden brown.

Topping

Put Caramel bits and cream in a saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring until smooth and well combined.

Did you make this recipe?

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Looking for more amazing breakfast or dessert ideas to sweeten your day? Explore some of our other cherished recipes that are just as delightful!

Here are the chocolate swirled breakfast rolls!

Or these Apple Cinnamon Rolls