Soft, sticky, and beautifully glazed, homemade honey buns are the kind of nostalgic treat that instantly takes you back to childhood. Whether you grew up eating the packaged version from convenience stores or enjoyed them warm from a local bakery, making honey buns at home brings a whole new level of flavor and comfort. This recipe produces tender, golden spirals of enriched dough soaked in a glossy honey-sweet glaze. They’re warm, buttery, and lightly caramelized on the edges — everything a classic honey bun should be.

Unlike cinnamon rolls, honey buns are lighter, fluffier, and glazed instead of frosted. Their signature shine comes from a warm honey syrup that melts into every swirl, creating that iconic sticky-sweet finish. These are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat with coffee. They also stay soft for days, making them ideal for meal prep or gifting.

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Why You’ll Love This Honey Bun Recipe

Homemade honey buns are worth every minute of effort because they deliver a level of freshness, aroma, and tenderness you simply can’t get from store-bought versions. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and eggs, giving the buns a pillowy texture that bakes into soft spirals with just the right amount of chew. The honey glaze seeps into the layers, making the buns moist without being soggy. They’re incredibly versatile — eat them warm as-is, lightly toast leftovers, or drizzle extra honey on top for an ultra-indulgent treat. These buns also freeze beautifully and reheat in seconds, making them a reliable anytime dessert. This recipe is approachable even for beginner bakers and yields bakery-quality honey buns every time.

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Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm milk (110°F)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt

For the Filling

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

For the Honey Glaze

• ½ cup honey
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp butter

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Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
• Rolling pin
• Medium saucepan
• 9×13-inch baking dish or two round cake pans
• Pastry brush
• Measuring cups and spoons

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How to Make Homemade Honey Buns

Step 1 — Activate the Yeast

Warm the milk until it reaches about 110°F — warm but not hot. Add the yeast and a tablespoon of sugar, then let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures the yeast is alive and ready to help the dough rise.

Step 2 — Make the Dough

In a stand mixer bowl (or large mixing bowl), combine the softened butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth. Pour in the yeast mixture and add 2 cups of flour. Mix on low until combined, then gradually add the remaining flour until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 3 — First Rise

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 1–1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 4 — Roll the Dough

After the rise, punch the dough down to release air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 12×18 inches.

Step 5 — Add the Filling

Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough. Mix the honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon (if using), then spread it across the surface. Roll the dough tightly from the long side to create a log.

Step 6 — Slice and Arrange

Cut the log into 12 equal rolls. Place the spirals into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving slight space between them to expand.

Step 7 — Second Rise

Cover and let the buns rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

Step 8 — Bake

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the honey buns for 18–22 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Step 9 — Make the Glaze

In a saucepan over low heat, warm the honey, butter, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.

Step 10 — Glaze the Buns

Brush the warm glaze generously over the hot honey buns. Let them soak for a few minutes before serving warm.

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Tips for the Best Honey Buns

• For extra softness, replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cornstarch.
• Use room-temperature ingredients to help the dough rise more evenly.
• If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in an unheated oven with the light turned on.
• To make them richer, add 1 extra tablespoon of butter to the dough.

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Variations

• Orange Honey Buns: Add orange zest to the glaze.
• Caramel Honey Buns: Replace half the honey in the glaze with caramel sauce.
• Honey Walnut Buns: Sprinkle chopped walnuts in the filling before rolling.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with tea, hot chocolate, or morning coffee. Add a drizzle of honey or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.

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Storage

• Store at room temperature for 2–3 days.
• Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Freeze (un-glazed) for up to 2 months. Reheat, then glaze.

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