Have you ever had a sticky bun? They are very popular back east. It’s kinda like a cinnamon roll, but not. It has the same tender dough, but has a caramel like, sticky goo baked all over it. They usually have pecans on them…..and sometimes raisins. They are magical.

Years ago, I was back east with a friend of mine. We spent time in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia….and every time we stopped at a grocery store or an eatery, I noticed sticky buns. “What is that?” I asked my friend Patty. She laughed and said “You’ve never had sticky buns?” I said “No, but I’m about to!” Now, I had always liked cinnamon rolls, but since I am not a huge cinnamon fan, it was really about the dough, for me. So, we were at the bakery counter at a grocery store and I bought my first sticky bun. I didn’t even wait till we got in the car. That thing was GONE. “I’ll be right back Patty”, I said. I went back in and bought an entire aluminum pan of those things. Patty couldn’t stop laughing. OMG, I made myself sick on all that sugar, but I was in love. Patty said “Just wait till we get to the Amish Bakery stands, you will go crazy”. She was right……I did. She was so excited to share her favorite Stromboli eatery and her favorite Philly cheese steak deli……so many good places. But all I really cared about were those darned sticky buns.

The first thing I did when I got home to San Diego, was look for a place that carried those ooey gooey sticky buns. I found one place and what the heck??? I wanted to ask, “you call those things sticky buns?” So, I was forced to make my own. I must say, I think I did a pretty good job. 🙂 I much prefer them over cinnamon rolls. I will share that recipe with you another time.

Ok, sorry for the long story, but it all leads to this. Sticky buns take time. Making dough is time consuming. The other night, I was eating one of those little Kings Hawaiian Rolls. I like the butter ones. I thought to myself, the flavor of this roll and the consistency of the bread would make the perfect sticky bun. So I give to you, a shortcut sticky bun!!!!!! I must warn you, you will be hooked. Absolutely delicious, sticky, gooey, sweet morsels of heaven. I gotta call Patty and tell her.

These are so easy to put together and so decadent. Trust me on this.

Shortcut Sticky Buns

6-8 rolls
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 Tblsp butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup pecans (or your favorite nuts) I used almond slices

Heat oven to 350. Butter a pie tin or 8×8 cake pan. Place the rolls in the pan.
Melt the butter and mix in the brown sugar and corn syrup. Pour it over the rolls. Don’t worry, the brown sugar will melt and not be grainy. Top with nuts. Bake for 20 minutes or until goo starts to get bubbly.

In true sticky bun fashion, turn pan over onto a plate, so rolls are now bottom side up. But you don’t have to do this. Just scoop the goo all over the top of the rolls and serve. Be CAREFUL. Sugar is very hot!!!

OHHHHHHHH, you’re gonna love these!!!! I just know it!!