Sweet and Sticky Homemade Honey Buns

Few things brighten a morning quite like a warm, homemade honey bun. Soft, fluffy, and drizzled with a golden honey glaze, these buns bring the perfect mix of sweetness and comfort to your kitchen. Believed to have first gained popularity in Southern bakeries, honey buns quickly became a beloved breakfast staple thanks to their irresistible flavor and simple preparation.

If you love cozy treats like cinnamon rolls or fluffy pancakes, these buns are sure to become a new favorite. So gather your ingredients, and let’s bake up a batch of sweet memories!

What Are Honey Buns?

Despite their playful name, honey buns aren’t just “sticky like honey”—they’re soft yeast buns with a sweet, gooey glaze that makes them downright addictive. Every bite is tender, rich with vanilla and honey, and just the right balance of soft and sticky. Think of them as cinnamon rolls’ golden cousin—with honey as the star.

Why You’ll Love Them

• Unique Sweetness: Honey adds a floral, mellow sweetness that makes these buns stand out from other pastries.

• Budget-Friendly: Skip the store-bought version—these homemade buns are cheaper, fresher, and tastier.

• Simple Glaze: A quick mix of honey, sugar, and vanilla turns these rolls into bakery-worthy delights.

How to Make Sweet and Sticky Honey Buns

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• ½ cup warm milk

• ¼ cup honey

• ¼ cup sugar

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Optional: ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast: Combine warm milk, honey, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, sugar, and salt.

3. Form Dough: Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir into a soft dough.

4. Knead: On a floured surface, knead 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

5. First Rise: Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 30–45 minutes, until doubled in size.

6. Shape Buns: Punch down the dough, shape into balls, and arrange in a greased baking pan.

7. Second Rise: Cover and let rise 20–30 minutes.

8. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 15–20 minutes, until golden.

9. Glaze: Mix honey with a little sugar (and cinnamon, if desired). Drizzle over warm buns.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy honey buns warm with:

• A cup of hot coffee or tea

• Fresh berries or sliced bananas

• A side of yogurt or scrambled eggs for a full breakfast

Tips for Perfect Honey Buns

• Yeast Care: Use milk at about 110°F (43°C) for best activation.

• Flour Accuracy: Lightly spoon and level flour to avoid dense buns.

• Flavor Variations: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or citrus zest for a twist.

• Watch the Bake: Remove when golden and soft—overbaking makes them dry.

Storage & Reheating

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for 2 days.

• Freeze: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months.

• Reheat: Warm in the oven (wrapped in foil) at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave for a few seconds.

Conclusion

Sweet, fluffy, and glazed to perfection, these honey buns are proof that homemade is always better. With their comforting aroma and irresistible taste, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat. Bake a batch today and share the joy with family and friends—you’ll be surprised how quickly they disappear!

Sweet and Sticky Homemade Honey Buns

Delicious homemade honey buns that are fluffy, sweet, and drizzled with a honey glaze, perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 12 buns

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 150

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dough Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup warm milk Ensure it's around 110°F (43°C) for yeast activation.
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter Melted.
• 1 packet active dry yeast About 2 1/4 teaspoons.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• to taste Ground cinnamon Optional for extra flavor.

Honey Glaze

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1-2 tablespoons sugar Adjust based on sweetness preference.
• to taste Ground cinnamon Optional.

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, honey, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture, then add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until a soft dough begins to form.
4. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Baking

1. Once risen, punch down the dough and shape it into small balls. Arrange them in a greased baking pan.
2. Cover and let them rise again for 20-30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
4. While the buns are baking, combine honey, sugar, and optional cinnamon in a small bowl for the glaze.
5. Once baked, drizzle the honey glaze over the warm buns and serve immediately.

Notes

For optimal freshness, store honey buns in an airtight container for up to two days or freeze individually for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.