Homemade Honey Buns are soft, sweet, and sticky pastries that melt in my mouth with every bite. These golden, glazed buns have a tender, fluffy texture and a swirl of cinnamon-sugar filling that makes them irresistible. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a nostalgic treat that tastes even better than the packaged ones I grew up with.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these honey buns combine everything I enjoy in a sweet pastry—pillowy dough, gooey filling, and a glossy honey glaze. They’re fun to make, and the reward is a bakery-style treat right from my own oven. Whether I eat them warm or save them for later, they stay soft and flavorful for days. These buns are a great make-ahead option for family mornings or holiday weekends.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
-
All-purpose flour
-
Instant or active dry yeast
-
Granulated sugar
-
Salt
-
Warm milk
-
Unsalted butter, melted
-
Egg
For the Filling:
-
Brown sugar
-
Ground cinnamon
-
Unsalted butter, softened
For the Glaze:
-
Honey
-
Powdered sugar
-
Vanilla extract
-
Milk or cream
directions
-
I start by activating the yeast in warm milk with a bit of sugar, letting it sit until foamy.
-
In a large mixing bowl, I combine flour, sugar, and salt, then add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. I knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
-
I cover the dough and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
-
Once risen, I roll the dough into a rectangle and spread it with softened butter. I sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar filling evenly over the surface.
-
I roll the dough up tightly into a log and cut it into slices, shaping each one into a slightly oval or spiral “bun” shape.
-
I place the buns on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
-
I bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
-
While they’re warm, I whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle it generously over the tops of the buns.
-
I let them cool slightly to absorb the glaze before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 8 to 10 honey buns. It takes around 20 minutes to prepare the dough, 1.5 hours for rising (total), and 15–18 minutes to bake. I usually set aside about 2.5 hours from start to finish, but it’s worth every minute.
Variations
Sometimes I add a little nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for a warm spice twist. I’ve also made maple-glazed versions by swapping the honey in the glaze for maple syrup. For a more decadent treat, I drizzle with a vanilla icing in addition to the honey glaze, or add chopped pecans to the filling for extra crunch.
storage/reheating
I store cooled honey buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, I microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. They also freeze well—just wrap tightly and thaw before warming.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, I often make the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. In the morning, I just roll, fill, and bake.
Do these taste like store-bought honey buns?
They taste even better—softer, fresher, and with real honey and butter flavor. I love that I can control the sweetness and ingredients.
Can I use a stand mixer?
Yes, I often use my stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough—it saves time and effort.
What if I don’t have honey?
I’ve used maple syrup or agave in the glaze, and both worked well. Honey gives the most classic flavor, though.
Why are my buns not rising?
Make sure your yeast is active and your liquids aren’t too hot or cold. I always let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot for the best results.
Conclusion
Homemade Honey Buns are a warm, sweet reward that fills my kitchen with the comforting smell of fresh-baked goodness. Soft, gooey, and topped with a luscious glaze, they’re everything I crave in a nostalgic treat. Whether I make them for breakfast, dessert, or a special brunch, they never fail to bring smiles to the table.
Print
Homemade Honey Buns
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including rising time)
- Yield: 8–10 honey buns
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Homemade Honey Buns are soft, golden pastries swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a rich honey glaze. These nostalgic treats are fluffy, sticky, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime sweet indulgence.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp instant or active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for filling)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for filling)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for filling)
- 1/4 cup honey (for glaze)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream (for glaze)
Instructions
- Activate yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar; let sit until foamy, about 5–10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll into a log and slice into 8–10 pieces. Shape each into an oval or spiral.
- Place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Let rise 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
- Whisk together honey, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to form a glaze. Drizzle over warm buns.
- Cool slightly before serving to allow the glaze to soak in.
Notes
- Add nutmeg or cardamom to filling for extra warmth.
- Swap honey for maple syrup in the glaze for a twist.
- Top with vanilla icing or chopped pecans for a richer treat.
- Dough can be made the night before and refrigerated.
- Freeze baked buns for longer storage; reheat before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 honey bun
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *