Easy Sticky Buns with Crescent Rolls

These Easy Sticky Buns are made with just seven simple ingredients and require no time to rise. They're fast, simple, sticky, and delicious. Perfect easy recipe for a lazy weekend morning with a cup of coffee. 

If you need more delicious recipes. then be sure to try making a batch of Cinnamon Rolls, Chess Squares, or Apple Dumplings (also made with crescent rolls). 

This sticky bun recipe is an amazingly soft, sweet, and sticky treat. Just in case you have never heard of them before, think of them as the cross between a cinnamon roll and a honey bun, just covered in way more sugary glaze. If I had to describe the taste to you with a little more detail, then I would say they are sweet, nutty, soft, spicy, and oh-so sticky!

These sweet rolls get their ooey-gooey glaze from a warm mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and a small amount of fresh lemon juice. The mixture is then spread on the bottom of a baking dish and topped with some roughly chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch. Trust me, you want to save this recipe for later to give them a try. 

Let's get started!

What Is The Difference Between Homemade Buns And Sticky Buns?

Normally when you make fresh buns, it would require them to begin like any other homemade bread and that is with yeast. But this recipe cuts that part out with the use of refrigerated crescent roll dough.

I believe you will appreciate that part because there is no need to wait for the yeast to proof and the buns to rise before baking. You then must roll out the crescent roll dough and make sure that you seal all of the perforated edges together to make a solid rectangle for the filling mixture.

What Ingredients For Easy Sticky Buns?

1. Crescent Rolls - Flaky and buttery dough that forms the rolls. You can use original crescent rolls, big crescent rolls, or the crescent dough sheets. 
2. Butter - Helps to form the sticky syrup and is added to the center of the rolls to hold the cinnamon sugar mixture. May use salted butter or unsalted butter that can easily be located at the grocery store.  
3. Brown Sugar - May use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, either will work depending on your preference. 
4. Light Corn Syrup - Helps to form the sticky base and sweetens the buns.
5. Lemon Juice - Adds a much needed punch of citrus acid to balance the sweet syrup mixture.
6. Walnuts - Add a nutty element plus a bit of crunchy texture to each bun. Pecans could be used instead. 
7. Ground Cinnamon - This warm spice adds a slight sweetness and traditional cinnamon rolls flavor.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How To Make Homemade Sticky Buns

Begin the crescent roll recipe by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F. and grabbing a rectangle 8x5-inch baking dish. Lightly spray the baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper and set aside. 

Using a small saucepan, over medium-low heat add in the butter and allow it to melt and become foamy. Add in the brown sugar, corn syrup, and lemon juice. Increase the stovetop heat to medium-high. Whisk the sticky mixture until the brown sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens and comes to a rolling boil, about 1-2 minutes.

Pour the mixture into the bottom of the pan (prepared baking dish). Top the sticky mixture evenly with the chopped walnuts. Set aside the baking dish while working with the crescent rolls.

Roll out the crescent roll dough onto a clean and lightly floured work surface. Press the perforated edges together and use a rolling pin to form an even rectangle.

Evenly rub the dough with the softened butter, the butter melts as it's spread on the dough in a thin layer. Sprinkle with the rest of the brown sugar and ground cinnamon (cinnamon-sugar mixture) over the top of the dough.

Next, you will then begin to roll the short end of the dough rectangle tightly up to the other shorter end of the dough to form a single log-shaped roll. Pinch the dough closed. This process is similar to when you're making regular cinnamon rolls or jelly-roll style.

Using a sharp knife/serrated knife, cut 6 to 8 even-sized rolls. Add the cut rolls into the prepared baking dish on top of the sticky brown sugar and walnut mixture. Make sure to leave enough space between each roll as they will spread while baking. 

Place the sticky buns into the oven to bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Spoon any extra mixture in the dish on top of the sticky buns. Carefully invert pan onto a baking sheet before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

​Best Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Crescent rolls come in a few different sizes. Use either the 8-ounce package or the 12-ounce package. 
• The recipe can easily be doubled and made in an 8x8-inch baking dish or cake pan. 
• You can use a small bowl to combine the brown sugar and cinnamon to create the cinnamon mixture to spread evenly on top of the buttered dough. 
• Chopped pecans or any other nut that you prefer could be used if you're not a fan of walnuts. 
• For extra sweetness, drizzle the finished rolls with some maple syrup or caramel sauce. 

Storage 

Storage. If you have any leftover sticky buns, allow them to cool to room temperature before storing. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, place in a plastic bag, or store them in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. You can store them in the refrigerator longer if needed.

Reheat. When ready to serve again, reheat in the oven at 300 degrees F. until warm. They can also be reheated in the air fryer or microwave for a quicker option.  

Need A Few More Easy Dessert Recipes? Try These:

• Chess Squares
• Homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese
• Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
• Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls
• Elephant Ear Pastry 
• Brown Sugar Pie
• Peach Galette

Do you have any comments, questions, or other tasty ideas for this Crescent Cinnamon Roll Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Original post date 03/30/2020. Updated 01/17/2024.