There’s nothing quite like waking up to a warm, sweet treat that fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and honey. This Homemade Honey Buns Recipe brings a delightful twist to traditional sweet rolls, offering a soft, fluffy interior wrapped in a cinnamon-sugar spiral and drizzled with a luscious honey glaze. Whether you’re looking for a comforting breakfast, a charming brunch centerpiece, or a cozy snack, these honey buns promise a perfect balance of sweetness and texture that will quickly become a beloved favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these heavenly honey buns, you’ll gather a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each plays a key role—from the soft, pillowy structure of the dough to the warm, fragrant filling and the shiny, sweet glaze that ties it all together.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): Provides the perfect foundation for tender, fluffy buns with just the right chew.
- Granulated sugar (3 tablespoons and 1/4 cup): Adds subtle sweetness to the dough and a crunchy touch inside the filling.
- Instant yeast (1 tablespoon): The magic behind the dough’s soft rise and airy texture, giving you light, fluffy buns.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Warm water (1/2 cup, 105°F-115°F): Activates the yeast—comfortably warm but never hot to ensure proper fermentation.
- Honey (1/3 cup and 2 1/2 tablespoons): Brings natural sweetness and moisture to the dough and glaze, adding a rich depth of flavor.
- Large egg (1): Contributes richness and helps bind the dough together.
- Shortening, melted (1/4 cup): Keeps the buns tender and soft with a melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): Spices up the filling with a warm, inviting aroma essential to any honey bun.
- Powdered sugar (4 2/3 cups): Makes the glaze irresistibly smooth and sweet, perfect for drizzling.
- Butter, melted (1 tablespoon): Adds a velvety richness to the glaze.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Elevates the glaze with a gentle aromatic complexity.
How to Make Homemade Honey Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the warm water, honey, egg, and melted shortening, mixing them thoroughly. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix on low speed using a stand mixer until a dough forms.
Step 2: Knead and Rise
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size—this usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. This rise is crucial for developing the airy texture you’ll love in every bite.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
While the dough is rising, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl—this simple blend will create the sticky, spiced layer that makes every honey bun irresistible.
Step 4: Roll and Fill
Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently and roll it out into a large rectangle. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar filling across the surface, then roll the dough up tightly from one end, ensuring a snug cinnamon spiral inside. Cut the roll into even pieces to shape your buns.
Step 5: Second Rise
Place your bun pieces on parchment-lined baking sheets and let them rise again for about 45 minutes. This step allows the buns to puff up beautifully before cooking, ensuring softness and fluffiness inside.
Step 6: Cook the Buns
You can either bake these honey buns at 350°F until they turn a gorgeous golden brown or go the extra mile and fry them to get a delicately crispy outer crust with an incredibly tender center. Both methods work wonderfully—choose your favorite for that perfect finish.
How to Serve Homemade Honey Buns Recipe
Garnishes
Drizzle your buns generously with the homemade glaze made from powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, and vanilla extract. For a fancy twist, sprinkle chopped nuts or edible flowers on top. This glaze adds a lovely sheen while boosting the sweet honey flavor that everyone will adore.
Side Dishes
Homemade honey buns pair beautifully with fresh fruit or a cup of steaming coffee or tea. For brunch, consider serving alongside scrambled eggs or a creamy yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness and add some protein.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming touch, stack the honey buns in a tiered cake stand for guests to help themselves. Alternatively, place individual buns in small decorative bowls or mason jars wrapped with a ribbon for a delightful gift or party favor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover honey buns (though that rarely happens!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps them soft and moist without drying out.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap each honey bun tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel, reheat your buns in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. A light brush of melted butter before warming adds a lovely shine and softness.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes! Just dissolve active dry yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it proof for 5-10 minutes until bubbly before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Are these honey buns best baked or fried?
Both methods yield delicious results. Baking produces a softer texture, while frying creates a crispy outer crust with a tender inside. Feel free to try both and see which you prefer!
Can I substitute shortening with butter?
Absolutely. Melted butter can replace shortening for a richer flavor, although shortening tends to yield a slightly softer bun texture.
Is it necessary to have warm water at a specific temperature?
Yes, warm water between 105°F and 115°F activates the yeast without killing it. Too hot and you risk damaging the yeast; too cold and it won’t activate properly.
How long can I let the dough rise?
Let the dough rise until it doubles in size, usually 1-2 hours depending on room temperature. A slower, longer rise in a cooler room can develop more flavor.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Homemade Honey Buns Recipe enough when you want a comforting, sweet treat that’s truly special. The combination of soft dough, cinnamon-sugar filling, and honey glaze delivers a warm hug in every bite. So roll up your sleeves, gather these simple ingredients, and bake a batch that will fill your home with irresistible aroma and joy!
Print
Homemade Honey Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these homemade honey buns featuring a soft, fluffy dough enriched with honey and cinnamon filling, topped with a luscious honey glaze. Perfectly golden and slightly sweet, these honey buns are a comforting treat ideal for breakfast or any time you crave a sweet pastry.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm water (105°F-115°F)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup shortening (melted)
Filling
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Glaze
- 4 2/3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt to evenly combine all the dry components.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the warm water (between 105°F and 115°F), honey, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing well. Then add the melted shortening to the mixture.
- Combine Dough: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Using a stand mixer on low speed, mix until incorporated.
- Knead Dough: Knead the dough for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover it. Allow it to rise until doubled in size, which should take about 1 to 2 hours.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon thoroughly to prepare the filling.
- Shape Dough: Roll the risen dough into a rectangle. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling over the surface. Carefully roll the dough up tightly into a log shape, then cut into individual pieces.
- Second Rise: Place the dough pieces on parchment-lined baking sheets. Let them rise again for about 45 minutes until puffed and slightly risen.
- Cook Honey Buns: Bake the risen buns in a preheated oven at 350°F until they are golden brown, usually about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, these buns can be fried until golden if preferred.
- Prepare Glaze: While the buns are baking or frying, combine powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, and vanilla extract to make a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the buns are cooked, allow them to cool briefly before drizzling the glaze generously over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading time is important for developing gluten, which gives the buns their structure.
- The glaze is quite sweet; adjust the honey or powdered sugar to taste if you prefer a less sweet finish.
- The buns can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Frying the buns gives them a different texture and richer taste but increases calorie content.
