Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls, often lovingly referred to as sticky buns due to their irresistible gooeyness, have garnered a reputation for being utterly divine. These aren’t just any cinnamon rolls; they’re tender, flaky, buttery, and generously spiced with cinnamon, making them a quintessential comfort food. My first encounter with these delightful treats was back in January 2011, and what struck me most about Ree Drummond’s original recipe was its generous spirit. It was conceived with the idea of sharing – baking multiple pans to spread joy among friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues.
The original recipe is indeed designed for abundance, yielding enough dough to fill 7 or 8 disposable foil pans, depending on your preferred roll thickness. This makes it perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or simply ensuring you have plenty to savor and share.
Three pans of baking cinnamon rolls, no frosting
Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns: A Surprisingly Easy Yeast Recipe
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by yeast baking, especially when it comes to cinnamon rolls, Pioneer Woman’s recipe is here to change your perspective. Have past attempts at homemade cinnamon rolls resulted in dense, under-risen dough, or perhaps an over-proofed mess due to unclear instructions? Or maybe a complete baking disaster that left you feeling frustrated and out of pocket? If any of this resonates with you, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a try.
It stands out as remarkably foolproof and forgiving, ensuring that every single roll emerges from the oven bursting with deliciousness. The straightforward instructions and reliable dough make it a go-to for bakers of all skill levels.
Refinements for the Perfect Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns
Over the years, I’ve lovingly adapted Ree’s original Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls recipe to better suit home bakers. For this updated guide, I’ve halved the initial recipe, meticulously refined ingredient measurements, and enriched the instructions with even more detail. This ensures a consistently perfect outcome, even if you’re new to baking yeast rolls. This version is truly a keeper, one you’ll be eager to share – both the recipe and the mouthwatering sticky buns themselves – with all your fellow baking enthusiasts.
What Makes Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns So Irresistibly Good?
Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls, or sticky buns, are, in my opinion, among the most delectable treats one can bake. They strike the perfect balance: easy to make, wonderfully gooey, delightfully messy, and utterly divine. The secret lies in the dough, rolled incredibly thin to maximize the swirls of filling made with melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. The ratio of this luscious filling to the soft, pillowy dough is nothing short of perfection, creating spirals that are as beautiful as they are tasty.
Three pans of fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls.
Our Resized Recipe: Three Pans of Sticky Bun Heaven
A word of caution about these Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns: ensure you have ample company to share them with! These rolls are incredibly addictive, and if you’re not careful, you might find yourself wanting to devour an entire pan. They are that good.
This resized recipe conveniently yields enough for three 9-inch cake pans, each holding 10 generously sized rolls. Alternatively, you can use four disposable 7-inch foil pans, ideal for gifting, or four 8-inch cake pans if preferred. Baking in three 9-inch pans, as demonstrated here, results in perfectly portioned, shareable delights.
The Magic of Maple Frosting: Elevating Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns
Beyond the delightful cinnamon filling, another hallmark of Pioneer Woman sticky buns is the distinctive maple frosting. This isn’t your average frosting; it’s a luscious blend of powdered sugar, maple extract, milk, butter, and a surprising touch of strong brewed coffee. Generously drizzled over warm rolls, this frosting takes them to a whole new level of indulgence.
The addition of just one tablespoon of strong brewed coffee might seem unconventional, but it imparts a unique depth of flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the maple and cinnamon. It’s a flavor combination I wouldn’t have initially considered, but it truly works wonders, adding a sophisticated note to these comforting sticky buns.
Fresh, warm cinnamon rolls on a plate
The Secret Ingredient: Baking Powder and Baking Soda in Yeast Dough
What sets Pioneer Woman sticky buns apart texturally is the inclusion of both baking powder and baking soda in a yeast-based dough. To achieve that signature soft, sweet-bread texture and characteristic yeasty flavor of authentic cinnamon rolls, this recipe cleverly employs yeast alongside baking powder and baking soda. It’s unusual for a recipe to call for three leavening agents, but in this case, it’s a stroke of genius that contributes to the rolls’ exceptional texture. This unique combination of leaveners also significantly reduces the rising time; these rolls only require a mere 30 minutes of proofing after being shaped into spirals.
Furthermore, a slightly lower oven temperature ensures the rolls have ample time to rise fully before the tops set, resulting in incredibly soft, puffy, and flaky rolls that are far from chewy. They practically melt in your mouth with every bite!
Freezing and Make-Ahead Tips for Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns
Can you freeze Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns?
While I haven’t personally tested freezing the unbaked dough, I’ve successfully frozen pans of baked, unfrosted rolls with fantastic results. This makes it easy to prepare them in advance for future enjoyment.
Can these sticky buns be made ahead?
Absolutely! The dough for these Pioneer Woman sticky buns can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of baking. Simply keep the dough well-covered in the refrigerator and check its progress daily. If it expands significantly, gently punch it down to maintain control. With a short 30-minute rise time for the shaped rolls, this recipe is incredibly convenient for making ahead and baking fresh whenever you desire.
Doubling the Recipe:
Need to feed a crowd? Yes, this recipe can be easily doubled to yield a generous batch of sticky buns perfect for sharing. If doubling, use a large pot or Dutch oven for the overnight refrigerated rise, as the dough expands considerably and needs ample space.
A pan of fresh baked cinnamon rolls being drizzled with icing
Pioneer Woman’s Sticky Buns Recipe
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 day 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 30 rolls
Course: Bread, Breakfast or Brunch
Author: Tricia
Rating: 5 from 105 votes
Description: Tender, flaky, buttery, sweet and loaded with cinnamon, these Pioneer Woman Sticky Buns are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Equipment
- Instant read thermometer
- Rolling pin
- 3 (9-inch) cake pans
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Rolls:
- 2 cups whole milk (16oz)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (4oz)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (110g)
- 1 (.25 ounce) package Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour separated (586g)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder, heaping
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing pans)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (6oz)
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar (135g)
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Maple Frosting:
- 4 ounces powdered sugar, sifted (1 cup or 115g)
- ½ teaspoon maple flavoring
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
To Make the Dough:
- Warm Milk Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine milk, vegetable oil, and sugar. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 95-100°F (lukewarm) using an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat, pour into a large mixing bowl, and cool if needed to maintain 95-100°F.
- Activate Yeast: Sprinkle yeast over the lukewarm milk mixture and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. Add 4 cups of flour and stir to combine using a wooden spoon or stand mixer with a dough hook. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until bubbly and puffed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this mixture to the dough and mix until fully incorporated.
- Refrigerate Dough: Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for up to two days. If refrigerating for more than a day, monitor dough and punch down if needed to prevent overflowing.
To Make the Sticky Buns:
- Prepare Pans: Grease three 9-inch cake pans with melted butter and set aside.
- Roll Out Dough: Generously flour a large, clean work surface. Lightly punch down the dough and scrape onto the countertop. Using floured hands and a rolling pin, roll the dough into a thin rectangle, approximately 30×18-20 inches.
- Add Filling: Brush 12 tablespoons of melted butter evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along one long edge. Sprinkle sugar evenly over the butter, followed by ground cinnamon.
- Shape Rolls: Starting from the long edge closest to you, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
- Cut Rolls: Using a ruler as a guide, cut the log into 30 (1-inch) slices. Use a sharp knife or dental floss for clean cuts. Place rolls cut-side down in prepared pans.
- Proof Rolls: Preheat oven to 375°F. Let rolls rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, until puffed and smooth. To check readiness, gently press the edge of a roll; if it springs back slowly, they are ready.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool while preparing frosting.
To Make the Maple Frosting:
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, maple flavoring, milk, melted butter, strong brewed coffee, and salt.
- Mix Frosting: Using an electric mixer or whisk, blend until smooth and pourable.
- Frost Rolls: Generously drizzle maple frosting over warm sticky buns. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Recipe Adaptation: Adapted from Pioneer Woman.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring chilled rolls to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for best results. Unfrosted rolls can be stored at room temperature.
- Nutritional Information: Note: Nutrition information is an estimate calculated using an ingredient database. Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g
Originally published January 2011, updated December 2019
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