Honey Buns
Easy homemade honey bun recipe that's made from scratch in about an hour. Check out the tips and step-by-step photos above the recipe.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cmilk
- ⅓ cbutter
- 2 tbsphoney
- 3 ½ tspinstant yeast
- ¾ cwarm water
105f – 115f
- 3 call-purpose flour
- ½ tspsalt
- ¼ cbrown sugar
packed
- ¼ cgranulated sugar
- 1 tspcinnamon
- ¼ cbutter
at room temperature
- 1 tbspbutter
melted
- 1 cpowdered sugar
- 1 tbsphoney
- salt
Directions
- 1
Grease a 9x13-inch metal baking pan; set aside.
- 2
In a small saucepan, stir milk and butter together. Heat over low heat just until butter melts. Cool to about 100-105 F.
- 3
Pour the milk mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- 4
Add the honey, yeast, and warm water. Stir to combine.
- 5
Add 2 cups flour and salt to yeast mixture. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed for about 1 minute.
- 6
With the mixer still going, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Mix about 1 ½ minutes, or until dough starts to clean the sides of the bowl.
- 7
Knead on low speed for about 2 more minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic – the dough will still be slightly sticky to the touch.
- 8
Place dough in a greased bowl, turning it to grease the top. Cover the dough with a clean, dry dish towel.
- 9
Let it rise in a warm place, free from draft, for about 10 minutes.
- 10
While dough is rising, prepare the filling.
- 11
Stir the filling ingredients together until combined. Set aside.
- 12
Turn the dough onto a floured surface, and roll into a 12x16-inch rectangle.
- 13
Spread filling over dough.
- 14
Roll dough up lengthwise, pinching seam to seal.
- 15
Cut into 12 pieces, and place in prepared baking dish. I use a serrated knife to cut the dough.
- 16
Cover the baking dish with the dish towel, and let the dough rise for about 15 minutes.
- 17
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F.
- 18
Bake at 20-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and baked through.
- 19
Let the honey buns cool in pan for 5 minutes.
- 20
While buns are cooling, whisk icing ingredients together. Icing will be thick.
- 21
Spread icing over warm buns.
- 22
Let buns sit 10-15 minutes before serving.
About this Recipe
Craving that warm, sticky, sweet indulgence of a classic honey bun? This homemade honey bun recipe makes it easier than ever to enjoy those bakery-style treats right in your own kitchen! Forget store-bought; in just about an hour, you can whip up a batch of incredibly soft, sweet, and perfectly spiced honey buns that will have everyone asking for more.
What makes these homemade honey buns truly special is their delightful combination of flavors and textures. Each bun starts with a tender, fluffy yeast dough, generously swirled with a rich, buttery cinnamon-sugar filling. The magic happens when they're fresh out of the oven, brushed with a luscious honey glaze that seeps into every crevice, creating that irresistible sticky-sweet finish. It's the ultimate breakfast pastry, perfect for a cozy morning or a special brunch.
Making your own honey buns from scratch is a rewarding experience, and surprisingly simple. The key is using instant yeast for a quick rise and ensuring your water is the right temperature.
- For a perfect rise: Make sure your warm water is between 105°F and 115°F to activate the instant yeast effectively. This ensures a beautifully soft and airy dough.
- Customizing your filling: While cinnamon and sugar are classic, feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for extra warmth. You could even sprinkle in some chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch!
- Serving suggestions: These honey buns are divine on their own, perhaps with a cup of coffee or a tall glass of milk. They also make a fantastic addition to a holiday breakfast spread or a leisurely weekend brunch. Get ready to experience the pure joy of a truly homemade honey bun!