If you’re looking for a delicious and stress-free breakfast or brunch option, look no further than these Overnight Butterscotch Pecan Sticky Buns made with frozen rolls! These warm, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth buns are a perfect way to start your day, and best of all, you can prepare them the night before. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be able to whip up a batch that rivals anything from your favorite bakery. Plus, the convenience of using frozen dinner rolls makes this recipe not only easy but also incredibly foolproof.

Sticky buns after inverting onto a baking sheet.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these overnight butterscotch pecan sticky buns, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Sticky Buns:

20 frozen dinner rolls (I use Rhodes rolls)
1 (3.5 oz) package of cook & serve butterscotch pudding (NOT the instant pudding)
1 cup pecans halves
1 and 1/2 sticks of butter (unsalted)
3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)

Baked sticky buns in glass pan right after baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Rolls

Start by preparing your baking dish. You’ll need a 9×13-inch glass baking dish. Grease the dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Next, arrange the frozen rolls in the pan. As they rise overnight, they’ll expand and fill in the gaps. Sprinkle the DRY pudding mix evenly over the rolls, followed by the pecan halves.

Step 2: Make the Syrup

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, remove the pan from heat and whisk in the brown sugar until it is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth. This caramel sauce will create the delicious sticky glaze that coats the buns.

Pour the mixture evenly over the rolls and nuts, making sure they’re well-coated. Place the uncovered dish into a cold oven overnight. This gives the rolls time to thaw and rise, soaking up the syrup for a perfectly gooey texture the next morning.

Step 3: Bake the Sticky Buns

The next morning, remove the pan from the oven before you preheat your oven to 350°F. Once the oven is ready, put the rolls in and bake for 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the sauce is bubbling. You’ll know they’re done when the rolls are puffy and the edges are caramelized.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the buns from the oven and immediately invert them onto a serving platter or baking sheet. The gooey butterscotch sauce will drip across the rolls, creating a deliciously messy and indulgent treat!

Warm and gooey sticky buns, topped with pecans being serving.

Recipe Tips for Perfect Sticky Buns

Use quality frozen rolls: The quality of your frozen rolls will impact the texture of your sticky buns. Try to use a brand that you know and trust for the best results. I love how the Rhodes brand rolls turn out in this recipe.
Let the rolls thaw overnight: For the best texture and rise, let the rolls thaw and rise uncovered in a cold oven overnight. I choose not to cover them because as the rolls rise they tend to stick to saran wrap or other covering.
Add more nuts: If you love extra crunch, feel free to add more pecans.

Warm and gooey sticky buns served on a plate.

Variations to Try

Pumpkin Spice Sticky Buns: Add 1/2-1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the dry butterscotch pudding mix for a fall-inspired twist.
Apple Cinnamon Sticky Buns: Add finely chopped apples when you add the pecans for a caramel apple version. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar over the apples before baking adds extra spice.
Top with a cream cheese frosting: If you want to take these sticky buns over the top (Christmas!), add a simple cream cheese frosting. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a bit of milk until smooth, and spread it over the warm buns. I have also swapped eggnog for the milk on occasion.

Closeup view of warm and gooey sticky buns topped with pecans.

These Overnight Butterscotch Pecan Sticky Buns are the ultimate make-ahead treat for holidays, brunches, or any special occasion. They combine the convenience of frozen rolls with a rich, indulgent butterscotch pecan topping that will have everyone coming back for more. Whether you stick to the classic version or experiment with variations, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

Overnight Butterscotch Pecan Sticky Buns

Simply Styled and Well Seasoned

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Servings 10

Ingredients

20 frozen white dinner rolls I use Rhodes rolls
1 (3.5 oz) package of cook & serve butterscotch pudding
1 cup pecan halves
1 ½ sticks unsalted butter
¾ cup light brown sugar packed

Optional: Vanilla Sea Salt

2 tablespoons flake sea salt I use Maldon Sea Salt Flakes
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Instructions

Spray a 9X13-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Place 20 frozen rolls into the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the DRY pudding mix across the top of the rolls. Add the pecans across the top.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan on your stovetop over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the brown sugar. Pour the mixture over the top of the frozen rolls.
Place your uncovered pan into a cold/unheated oven overnight.
The following morning, remove the pan from the oven before preheating to 350°F. Once oven is heated, bake for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the rolls are baked through (I always check the center rolls since they take the longest to bake through). If the rolls around the edge are browning too quickly you can tent with aluminum foil.
While the rolls are baking, mix together the flake sea salt and vanilla bean paste, if using.
Remove the baked rolls from the oven and immediatley invert them onto a serving platter or baking sheet. Sprinkle with the vanilla sea salt and enjoy!

Ready to enjoy a warm, sticky treat tomorrow morning? Prepare these tonight and wake up to the heavenly smell of freshly baked sticky buns – all without the stress of last-minute prep!