Fluffy, Golden Homemade Honey Buns Recipe for Breakfast Joy

Sweet, pillowy, and irresistibly soft, these homemade honey buns will transport you to bakery bliss.

Baking enthusiasts adore this honey buns recipe for its tender crumb and delicate sweetness.

Golden brown edges peek through a delicate glaze that promises pure comfort in every bite.

Warm from the oven, these buns beckon with an aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth and nostalgia.

Each bite combines the rich depth of honey with a cloud-like texture that melts on your tongue.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike celebrate this simple yet extraordinary treat.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and create a batch of these delectable honey buns that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

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Cook Time:

Total Time:

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Homemade Honey Buns

• Water: Activates yeast and helps bind ingredients, choose filtered or spring water for best flavor.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and enhances caramelization, select fine granulated sugar for smooth texture.
• Active Dry Yeast: Provides rise and airy texture, ensure it's fresh and within expiration date.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and foundation, look for unbleached variety for better taste.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and moisture, choose local raw honey for deeper flavor.
• Shortening: Provides tender crumb and rich mouthfeel, select pure vegetable shortening.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute richness and color, pick fresh large eggs from free-range chickens.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens overall flavor profile, opt for pure vanilla for authentic taste.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice, select high-quality ground Ceylon cinnamon.
• Granulated Sugar: Creates crispy exterior and sweet layer, use fine white sugar.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy coating, sift to prevent lumps.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and sheen, use unsalted butter for controlled sweetness.
• Warm Water: Adjusts glaze consistency, use filtered water at right temperature.

Tools to Make the Softest Honey Buns

• Stand mixer: Essential for kneading dough efficiently and creating smooth texture.
• Whisk attachment: Perfect for initial mixing of yeast and water.
• Dough hook: Crucial for kneading bread dough to right consistency.
• Small mixing bowls: Needed for preparing cinnamon sugar and glaze.
• Large pan or stockpot: Required for deep frying honey buns.
• Thermometer: Helps monitor oil temperature for perfect frying.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows excess oil to drip off after frying.
• Parchment-lined baking sheet: Provides space for dough to rise.
• Sharp knife: Used for cutting and scoring dough pieces.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Baking Instructions for Honey Buns

• Yeast Activation

Mix water, sugar, and yeast in a mixer bowl. Allow the mixture to become bubbly and fragrant, creating the foundation for soft, pillowy dough.

• Dough Creation

Combine remaining ingredients and knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. The texture should be soft and slightly sticky, promising delightful treats.

• First Rise

Let the dough rest in a cozy spot, growing and developing rich flavors. The dough will expand and become puffy, signaling it’s ready for the next stage.

• Shaping and Seasoning

Roll out the dough and sprinkle with warm cinnamon sugar. Carefully shape into beautiful rolls, creating delicate swirls of sweet potential.

• Second Rise

Allow the shaped rolls to become light and airy, preparing for their transformative cooking journey. The dough will become soft and pillowy.

• Frying Magic

Carefully drop the rolls into hot oil, watching them turn golden brown. Each bun will transform into a crispy, delectable treat with a beautiful exterior.

• Glorious Glaze

Whip up a silky honey glaze that will coat each bun in sweet, glistening goodness. The glaze adds a luxurious finish to the crispy pastries.

• Final Touches

Dip each freshly fried bun into the honey glaze, creating a perfect sweet coating. Let them rest briefly to set their crispy, glossy exterior.

Flavoring Your Honey Buns

• Elevate the classic recipe with these tasty twists and expert techniques.
• Experiment with alternative fillings like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or fruit preserves to create unique flavor combinations that suit your taste preferences.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature by using a deep-fry thermometer and working in small batches to ensure each honey bun turns out perfectly golden and crispy without absorbing excess oil.
• Play with different glaze flavors by adding a splash of maple syrup, a pinch of cinnamon, or a few drops of almond extract to create your signature honey bun finish.
• Keep freshly made honey buns at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or freeze unglazed buns for up to a month – just reheat and glaze when ready to serve for that just-made taste and texture.

Ways to Serve Honey Buns Warm

• Breakfast Companion: Pair these golden honey buns with fresh scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a hearty morning meal that will kickstart your day with deliciousness.
• Afternoon Tea Treat: Serve these warm, glazed honey buns alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a delightful mid-afternoon snack that feels like a special indulgence.
• Dessert Centerpiece: Transform these honey buns into a stunning dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzling extra honey, and sprinkling chopped nuts for an elevated sweet experience that will impress friends and family.
• Picnic Perfect Snack: Pack these honey buns in a portable container for outdoor adventures, creating a sweet and portable treat that everyone will love during road trips, beach days, or park outings.

Storage Tips for Freshness

• Honey Bun Meal Companion: Best enjoyed fresh and warm, these delightful treats taste incredible within the first 24 hours of preparation.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store honey buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, ensuring they remain soft and delectable.
• Freezing Magic: Carefully wrap individual honey buns in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen honey buns can maintain quality for 1-2 months when stored properly.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated or thawed honey buns in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their original freshly-made texture and irresistible warmth.

Sweet Honey Buns

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• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet homemade honey buns blend nostalgic bakery comfort with simple ingredients. Home cooks can craft these golden pastries quickly, creating warm memories for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 4 ⅔ cups (1.17 L) powdered sugar
• 2 ½ tbsps (37.5 mL) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) melted butter
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) salt
• Warm water (as needed)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Combine yeast with lukewarm water and a hint of sugar in a stand mixer. Allow the mixture to bloom and become frothy for about 5 minutes.
2. Dough Formation: Attach the dough hook and introduce remaining sugar, flour, honey, shortening, egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Knead until the dough transforms into a smooth, elastic consistency that stretches translucently.
3. First Proofing: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, ensuring complete coverage. Let it rest in a warm environment until volume doubles, approximately one hour.
4. Flavor Preparation: Create a cinnamon sugar blend by thoroughly mixing ground cinnamon and granulated sugar in a separate container.
5. Dough Shaping: Gently deflate the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangular shape. Distribute the cinnamon sugar evenly, pressing it lightly into the dough. Roll from the longest side to form a compact log, then slice diagonally into uniform sections.
6. Second Proofing: Arrange the shaped pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving adequate spacing. Allow them to develop a puffy texture for approximately 45 minutes.
7. Frying Process: Heat oil to 365°F, maintaining a consistent temperature. Carefully lower honey buns into the hot oil, frying each side for about 90 seconds until achieving a rich golden-brown color.
8. Glaze Creation: Whisk powdered sugar, honey, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Gradually introduce warm water to develop a smooth, pourable glaze.
9. Final Touches: Transfer fried honey buns to a wire rack and immediately immerse each in the prepared glaze, ensuring complete and even coverage for a crisp, sweet exterior.

Notes

• Yeast Activation Tip: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F for optimal yeast performance, preventing potential killing or sluggish activation.
• Dough Stretching Test: When kneading, perform a windowpane test by stretching a small piece of dough. Translucent, thin membrane indicates perfect gluten development.
• Oil Temperature Control: Use a candy thermometer to maintain precise 365°F oil temperature, preventing burnt exteriors or undercooked centers during frying.
• Glaze Consistency Hack: Add warm water incrementally to powdered sugar mixture, creating a smooth, drizzle-ready glaze that adheres perfectly to honey buns.

• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg