Walnut Maple Sticky Buns

These walnut maple sticky buns by Claire Saffitz x Dessert Person is one of the best breakfast or treats you can prepare this fall. The bread is fluffy, and the topping is crunchy – the perfect combination. Your house will smell amazing when you bake this at home. Read on or watch the video below for full instructions.

Ingredients

For the buns:

• 2 cups of walnut halves or pieces (toasted)
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup and 1/3 cup of packed light brown sugar
• 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon of finely grated orange zest
• sweet yeast dough (chilled)
• all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons of cardamom

Sweet yeast dough:

• 1 cup of whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 4 1/2 cups of sugar
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs

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Instructions

Step 1:

Make the sweet dough yeast. Start by proofing the yeast. Add 1 1/2 teaspoon of yeast in a small bowl and slowly pour 1/4 cup of lukewarm whole milk while whisking. Mix until the yeast dissolves. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.

Step 2:

In the bowl of your stand mixer, add 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, and 1 1/2 kosher salt. Combine them and make a well. Add 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, followed by the proofed yeast, the rest of the milk, and 3 large eggs. Start your stand mixer on low until the flour is fully incorporated, then increase the speed. Mix until you have a dough for about 8 to 10 minutes.

If you are doing it by hand, pour the ingredients into the well. Stir with a wooden spoon to bring it all together. Work it in a bowl until it holds together. After that, knead it to the surface with a little bit of flour until smooth.

Step 3:

Transfer to your surface and form it into a dough.  Flour it and transfer it to a clean bowl. Cover with a cling wrap and place it at room temperature until it is 50%-75% bigger. After that, place it in the fridge to finish rising.

Step 4:

Make the sticky topping. In a saucepan, add the maple syrup, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 4 tablespoons of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Place over heat and mix. Let it come to a boil. Once boiling, let it continue to boil for 30 seconds, then remove it from the heat and transfer it to a 13 x 9 pan.

Step 5:

Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. In a different bowl, add the remaining 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1 3/4 teaspoon of cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of orange zest. Mix them well.

Step 6:

Transfer the toasted nuts into a zip lock bag and crush with a rolling pin. Sprinkle to the pan and press them down.

Step 7:

Form the buns. Remove the dough from the oven and roll it into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Pour the melted sugar on top and spread evenly.

Step 8:

Sprinkle the cardamom mixture on top of the butter. Roll into a spiral on the long end. Cut into 12 pieces, then place them into the pan in a four-by-three grid. Cover them and let them sit at room temperature until 50% bigger in size.

Step 9:

Bake in a 350F preheated oven in the middle of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown on the surface.

Step 10:

Let them cool for 5 minutes and remove from the pan. Serve and enjoy!

Walnut Maple Sticky Buns