Honey Buns: The Ultimate Honey Buns Recipe

Introduction to Honey Buns

Honey buns are a delightful treat that brings back memories of home-baked goodness and sweet aromas wafting through the kitchen. These soft, fluffy pastries are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a dessert. With their sweet honey flavor and a touch of cinnamon, they are bound to become a family favorite. In this article, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know to make the perfect honey buns from scratch, ensuring that every bite is as delicious as the last.

A Personal Story Behind My Honey Buns Journey

Growing up, my grandmother had a special recipe for honey buns that she would make every Sunday. The whole family would gather around the table, eagerly waiting for the warm, sticky treats to come out of the oven. I remember the excitement of watching her knead the dough and the sweet smell that filled the house. Now, I make these honey buns for my family, passing down the tradition and the love that comes with each batch.

What Makes This Honey Buns Recipe Special?

What sets this honey buns recipe apart is its simplicity and the use of honey, which not only adds sweetness but also gives the buns a unique flavor profile. The combination of warm dough, cinnamon sugar, and a delicious glaze makes these buns irresistible. Plus, they can be fried for that classic doughnut-like texture or baked for a lighter alternative, catering to all preferences. Whether you choose to fry or bake, you’ll end up with a treat that’s sure to delight.

The Full Honey Buns Recipe

Ingredients

• For the Dough:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup warm water (between 105°F-115°F)
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup shortening, melted
• Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
• For the Cinnamon Sugar:
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• For the Glaze:
• 4 ⅔ cup powdered sugar
• 2 ½ tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Warm water, as needed

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the warm water, honey (you can warm the honey in the microwave for a few seconds if it’s too thick), egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until the egg is well incorporated. Add the melted shortening and stir until combined.
3. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and knead for about 8 minutes. The dough will be slightly sticky but manageable. Tip: If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled glass bowl, turning it to coat the top with oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has nearly doubled in size.
5. While the dough is rising, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
6. Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the dough, leaving a clean edge. Gently press the mixture into the dough.
7. Roll the dough tightly from the long side towards the clean edge. Brush the clean edge with a little water to help seal it, then pinch to secure.
8. Using a sharp serrated knife, trim the ends of the roll (about 1 ½ inches from each end) and cut the roll into 1-inch pieces. Place each piece on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between them. Lightly press down on each piece and shape them with your fingers. Let them rise for about 45 minutes until puffy.
9. While the buns are rising, heat oil in a large pan or stockpot to about 3 inches deep over medium heat until it reaches 365°F. A clip-on pot thermometer is helpful for this.
10. Prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add warm water until you reach your desired consistency.
11. Once the buns have risen, gently press them down again. Fry a few honey buns at a time in the hot oil for 90 seconds on one side, then flip and fry for another 90 seconds until golden brown.
12. Remove the honey buns from the oil and place them on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Immediately dip each bun into the glaze and return to the cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining buns.
13. If you prefer to bake the honey buns, preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the rolls have risen, bake for 18 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let them rest for 5 minutes, then dip or brush with glaze and place on a wire cooling rack.

Serving Suggestions and Variations for Honey Buns

Honey buns are delicious on their own, but you can elevate them even further! Serve them warm with a dollop of whipped cream or alongside a cup of coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. For a fun twist, try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit to the dough before rolling it up. You can also experiment with flavored glazes by adding cocoa powder for a chocolatey version or citrus zest for a refreshing touch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Buns

Can I make honey buns ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, let it rise, and then refrigerate it overnight. Just bring it back to room temperature and allow it to rise again before shaping and cooking.
Can I freeze honey buns?
Absolutely! After frying or baking, let the honey buns cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw and reheat them in the oven or microwave.
What if I don’t have shortening?
You can substitute with an equal amount of unsalted butter or margarine for a different flavor profile.

Enjoy the delightful sweetness of homemade honey buns!

Honey Buns

Delightful, sweet honey buns that are soft and fluffy, perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 200 kcal

Equipment

• Stand Mixer For kneading the dough.
• Deep Fryer or Pot For frying the buns.
• Baking sheet For placing the buns while rising.

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup warm water between 105°F-115°F
• 0.333 cup honey
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 cup shortening melted
• Oil vegetable or peanut oil for frying

Cinnamon Sugar

• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 1.5 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze

• 4.67 cup powdered sugar
• 2.5 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• Warm water as needed

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the warm water, honey, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until the egg is well incorporated. Add the melted shortening and stir until combined.
• Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and knead for about 8 minutes.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled glass bowl, turning it to coat the top with oil. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
• Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to a rectangle about 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the dough.
• Roll the dough tightly from the long side towards the clean edge. Brush the clean edge with a little water to help seal it, then pinch to secure.
• Trim the ends of the roll and cut it into 1-inch pieces. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Let them rise for about 45 minutes until puffy.
• Heat oil in a large pan or stockpot to about 365°F.
• Prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add warm water until desired consistency.
• Fry a few honey buns at a time for 90 seconds on each side until golden brown.
• Remove from the oil and dip each bun into the glaze.
• If baking, preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 18 minutes.

Notes

For a fun twist, try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit to the dough before rolling it up. If you want a lighter glaze, simply reduce the amount of powdered sugar and add more warm water. No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.

Keyword Honey Buns Recipe