Ooey-Gooey Cinnamon Buns

1. Stage

Make the dough: Pour water into a liquid measure. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and active dry yeast; stir until dissolved. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

2. Stage

Meanwhile, warm milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just starts to bubble around the edges; do not boil. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, and salt until melted. Let cool until lukewarm. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

3. Stage

Lightly whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture, lukewarm milk mixture, and 1 1/2 cups flour; stir until well combined. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

4. Stage

Mix in remaining 2 1/2 cups flour (1/2 cup at a time), mixing well after each addition, until dough comes together.

5. Stage

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, silky, and elastic, about 8 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

6. Stage

Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

7. Stage

While the dough is rising, make the glaze: Melt 3/4 cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup brown sugar and whisk until smooth.

8. Stage

Grease a 9x13-inch pan. Pour glaze mixture into the pan; sprinkle pecans over top. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

9. Stage

Make the filling: Place 1/4 cup melted butter in a small bowl. Combine 3/4 cup of brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

10. Stage

When the dough has doubled in size, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 14x18-inch rectangle. Brush 1/2 of the melted butter over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border unbuttered. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over top. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

11. Stage

Start at the long edge and roll the dough tightly, pinching the seams to seal. Brush remaining butter over the dough. Cut dough into 15 equal rolls. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

12. Stage

Place rolls, cut-sides down, into the glaze in the prepared pan. Cover and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

13. Stage

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

14. Stage

Uncover and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

15. Stage

Let cool in pan for 3 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter so the glaze is on top. Scrape any remaining glaze from the pan onto the rolls. DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS