Sticky Bun Casserole with Pecan Caramel Glaze Recipe
This sticky bun casserole combines the sweet, gooey goodness of homemade sticky buns with the convenience of a casserole dish. Topped with a warm, buttery pecan glaze, it’s an ideal dish for holiday breakfasts, brunches, or potluck gatherings, delivering rich cinnamon and caramel flavors with minimal preparation effort.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Base
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 (12.4-ounce) cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup whipping cream, divided
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Sticky Bun Topping
- 1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all the needed ingredients in one place for easy access and smooth preparation.
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the melted butter evenly into a 9x13 inch baking dish to coat the bottom, then set aside.
- Prepare Cinnamon Rolls: Cut each cinnamon roll into 4 pieces, then place all pieces evenly into the prepared baking dish, ensuring good coverage.
- Mix Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1/2 cup of the whipping cream, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the baking dish.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (95°C).
- Prepare Sticky Bun Topping: While the casserole bakes, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, remaining 1/2 cup cream, 1/4 cup butter, and kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium and let it boil gently for about 10 minutes until the caramel coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped pecans. Keep the topping warm until the casserole is ready.
- Cool and Top: Once the casserole is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Then, pour the warm sticky bun topping evenly over the casserole before serving.
Notes
- Using refrigerated cinnamon rolls saves time and effort compared to making dough from scratch.
- The internal temperature check ensures the casserole is fully cooked but still moist and tender.
- Keep the pecan topping warm to ensure it remains gooey and easy to pour over the casserole.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the egg mixture for a spiced variation.
- This casserole can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning for convenience.
