Get ready to indulge in the ultimate breakfast or dessert treat with this Baklava Sticky Buns Recipe! These heavenly rolls are a delightful twist on the classic baklava, featuring pre-made rolls filled with a luscious sweet ricotta filling and coated in a mouthwatering pistachio caramel sauce.
What we love most is that these sticky buns come together in minutes, making them perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings any time of day. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee or as a luxurious dessert after dinner, they’re guaranteed to be a hit at every occasion.
Table of Contents
What Are Sticky Buns?
Traditional sticky buns are a type of sweet roll typically made with cinnamon and sugar and coated in a caramel sauce. Baked in a casserole dish, they turn out fluffy, sweet, and sticky and are most commonly enjoyed as a breakfast treat.
What is the Difference Between Cinnamon Rolls and Sticky Buns?
Cinnamon rolls and sticky buns are both made using the same dough and a cinnamon sugar filling. However, cinnamon rolls are baked on their own and then topped with a white glaze or icing while sticky buns are baked on top of a caramel sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls – Technically, any rolls can be used, but we love the sweet flavor and fluffy texture of Hawaiian rolls.
- Unsalted Butter – If salted butter is what you have on hand, reduce the amount of extra salt included.
- Heavy Cream – This creates a rich, silky caramel sauce.
- Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar can be used.
- Salt – Adjust to taste.
- Pistachios – Look for unsalted pistachios, and chop them finely.
- Ricotta Cheese – Full-fat varieties are best!
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar) – Used to sweeten the filling. Granulated sugar will not work as it will create a gritty texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla.
Two Recipes in One: Step-By-Step Instructions for the Best Baklava Sticky Buns Recipe
- Combine and boil. Add the butter, heavy cream, brown sugar, salt, and pistachios to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted Then, increase the heat, and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Stir. Turn off the heat, and continue to stir until the mixture stops bubbling. Pour the caramel mixture into the bottom of a greased baking dish.
- Mix. In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, powdered sugar, and vanilla until well combined.
- Stuff. Slice the rolls down the center, stopping just before slicing completely through. Spread the center of the rolls with the ricotta mixture.
- Bake. Place the rolls over the caramel mixture in the baking dish, and transfer them to a preheated oven just until golden brown. Set them aside to cool just for a few minutes.
- Serve. Invert the baked sticky buns onto a large serving platter, letting the leftover caramel sauce run over the top. Enjoy warm!
Tips for Success
- Grease the baking dish. Before you begin, be sure to grease the bottom, sides, and corners of the baking dish to prevent your rolls from sticking.
- Slice with floss. This recipe will be easier to serve than others as the rolls are premade. However, for clean cuts, use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice through the bread with ease.
- Don’t cool completely. Set the rolls aside just long enough to cool enough to eat. Waiting too long will cause them to become cold, and the caramel will begin to harden.
Common Questions About This Easy Sticky Buns Recipe
Morning buns are made with a different type of dough. As a result, they’re flakier and have a chewier texture.
Yes, assemble the rolls in the baking dish up to a day in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge. Then, allow them to come to room temperature, and bake as usual.
We recommend storing this recipe in the fridge to keep it fresh.
Stored covered or in an airtight container in the fridge, leftovers will stay fresh for up to three days.
More Sweet Breakfast Treats to Try
- Baklava Cinnamon Rolls
- Cinnamon Bun
Air Fryer French Toast - Apple Cider Muffins
- Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast Buns
Baklava Sticky Buns Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pistachios chopped
- 1 package (6 rolls) Hawaiian sweet rolls
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, heavy cream, brown sugar, salt, and chopped pistachios. Stir until the butter has melted. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly to ensure all the sugar has dissolved. 1-2 minutes1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup pistachios
- Once the mixture reaches a boil, turn off the heat and continue to stir until it stops bubbling.
- Pour the caramel mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Slice the Hawaiian sweet rolls down the center, but not all the way through. Set them aside.1 package
- In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.1 cup ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spread the ricotta mixture inside the sliced sweet rolls.
- Place the filled rolls face down into the caramel mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown.
- Remove the rolls from the oven, and allow them to rest for about 5 minutes (Be sure not to wait much longer than 5 minutes).
- Place a large serving platter over the baking dish, and carefully invert the rolls onto the platter.
- Be cautious as the caramel is still very hot. Enjoy warm.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I have made it a few times now for all my pistachio loving boys. It’s so good! I used Rhodes frozen sweet dough. Thank you!
Thank you for trying it out! We’re so glad it’s been a hit. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
favoriteeeeeee
Ours too! Thank you, Nina!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
when might you have a recipe book published with all your amazing recipes? I would love to have one!!!
Stay tuned! 👀
Xo,
Alia & Radwa