Not So Pretty Sticky Buns

So what’s with the title of these? Well you know when you are making something, whether it’s food or some other project and in your head you imagine how great it’s going to look? Then it comes out looking a hot mess and you’re disappointed? Well that’s this recipe!

So I call them my “not so pretty” sticky buns. They are messy, and by no means perfect, but they are a healthier version and absolutely delicious! I had to stop myself from eating the whole pan.

If you walk by a Cinnabon in the mall and smell the baked goods, keep walking! One of those sticky buns has 880 calories (320 calories from fat), 36 grams of fat (17 grams saturated fats), 127 grams of carbs (wow), and 59 grams of sugar (yikes).

My sticky bun has 205 calories, 1.7 grams of fat, 33.4 grams of carbs, 3.2 grams of protein, and 13.4 grams of sugar.

Now you might be thinking 13.4 grams of sugar is still a little high, but when you compare the two, it’s quite a steal! Plus next time you grab that greek yogurt mixed with fruit take a look at the side nutrition and you will find out those are loaded with sugars! Sometimes up to 18 grams for one little yogurt. That’s why I eat plain. So enjoy these sticky buns guilt free 🙂

To show you what we end up with:

Sticky Bun mmmmmm!
Sticky Bun mmmmmm!

I think I’ve caught your attention!

For this recipe you will need: 

BUNS:

  • 3/4 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/4 cup of unsweetened natural applesauce
  • 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup of stevia in the raw
  • 1/2 packet of organic active dry yeast
  • 1 cup of whole wheat flour
  • 3/4 cup of unbleached white all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt

FILLING:

  • 1 very ripe banana
  • 3 Tablespoons of organic molasses
  • 3 Tablespoons of sugar free maple syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon of natural honey
  • 3 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar

ICING: 

  • 1/2 cup of xylitol 
  • 1 Tablespoon of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar free maple syrup

Got all that? I know it sounds like a lot, but really it all comes together nicely! You do this in shifts, so it’s easier than it seems!

Let’s start with the buns! Mix 3/4 cup of almond milk, the applesauce, and coconut oil in a sauce pan. Heat on medium-high heat. When it has heated through, add the 1/2 cup of stevia. Remove the pan from the heat right before it comes to a boil.

Milk mixture
Milk mixture

Let it cool and then add to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 the package of dry active yeast on top of the mixture and let it sit for 1 minute

One minute is all it takes!
One minute is all it takes!

Add 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour, and 1/2 cup white flour to the top of this

Mix it up!
Mix it up!

Once mixed, place a kitchen towel over the top and let it sit for 20 minutes

You come back to this:

Rising from the yeast
Rising from the yeast

Now here I added the rest of my flour, you want to add 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour and 1/4 cup of regular flour and mix. I ended up refrigerating the dough overnight and using it the next morning to let it rise some more. But you can also work with it right away. Might have to add a tad more flour if you do it this way!

The next morn:

(Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit)

All rise!
All rise!

Next is the filling. To a sauce pan add the molasses, ripe banana, honey, and sugar free maple syrup

Organic Molasses
I ended up only paying 3.49 for this molasses that was 10 bucks. I didn’t realize it was that much until I came home and looked it up, but at the checkout it didn’t recognize the item so she only charged me 3.49!
I ended up only paying 3.49 for this molasses that was 10 bucks. I didn't realize it was that much until I came home and looked it up, but at the checkout it didn't recognize the item so she only charged me 3.49!
Really thick! Mix on medium heat
The banana will break down
The banana will break down

Next roll out your dough. Make sure you sprinkle the counter with flour first so it doesn’t stick! Make a large rectangle (about 10 x 30)

This isn't completely rolled out yet
This isn’t completely rolled out yet

It doesn’t need to be perfect, the sides will be pinched later! Once it has been rolled out add the molasses mix

Pour Pour Pour
Pour Pour Pour

Then spread it out evenly. WARNING. Things will get messy!

Just painting away
Just painting away

Sprinkle with Brown Sugar, you could also substitute cinnamon here for a cinnamon roll, but I wasn’t feeling the cinnamon today!

See, not so pretty, but good!
See, not so pretty, but good!

Now it’s time to get rolling. Take the part of the dough farthest from you and roll towards you.

Keep rollin'
Keep rollin’

You end up with a log of dough (pinch the sides in so the filling doesn’t fall out)

Slide onto a cutting board to slice pieces. This is where it got messy for me!
Slide onto a cutting board to slice pieces. This is where it got messy for me!

Cut into 8 equal pieces! Spray a pie tin with olive oil spray and place evenly in the tin

Spaced buns
Spaced buns

Cover with a kitchen towel for 20 minutes to let them rise a little more

See? They fluffed a bit!
See? They fluffed a bit!

Place in the oven for 18 minutes.

While these are cooking we make the icing!

To a food processor add 1/2 cup of xylitol. Xylitol (40% less calories than real sugar) is a crunchy sugar crystal, so when blended, it makes a powdered sugar! Blend for a minute or two until it becomes snow like

Powdered Snow!
Powdered Snow!

Add 1 Tablespoon of almond milk to make a glaze! Then drizzle in 1 Tablespoon of sugar free maple syrup (I just folded in by hand)

Mmmm I could just eat this straight out of here folks
Mmmm I could just eat this straight out of here folks

 DING! Sticky Buns are ready!

FABULOUS!
FABULOUS!

Let’s look up close and personal

Pull apart goodness!
Pull apart goodness!

Pour the icing over the top while they are still warm and gooey!

I know, you want to jump through the screen, perfectly normal :)
I know, you want to jump through the screen, perfectly normal 🙂

All glazed and ready to eat!

Not So Pretty Healthy Sticky Buns! 205 calories and 1.7 grams of fat!
Not So Pretty Sticky Buns! 205 calories and 1.7 grams of fat!

These are best warm right out of the oven. So try to make them when you want to eat them!

Sticky Bun mmmmmm!
Sticky Bun mmmmmm!

These really didn’t stand a chance… even sick I couldn’t resist!

Gone in seconds!
Gone in seconds!

Guilt free sticky bun, well worth it!

Happy eating…

XOXO With a Cherry On Top,

-Minnie

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7 Comments

  1. Anna

    Thanks for the great recipe! I may have to venture on trying out a GF recipe of this. Not sure if GF flour would be good (taste wise)… but maybe I can use oat flour. We shall see… it will be interesting i’m sure 🙂 Lots of trial and error. Thats the fun part, though!

    1. Jess

      Yes, I’m interested in that too. If I can use oat flour instead of white flour. Would it work?

      1. Katie

        You might be able to. As long as it rises with the yeast!

    2. Katie

      Soy flour might work too? Or almond?

      1. Jess

        I’ll give it a try, thanks!

        1. Katie

          🙂 let me know how it turns out!

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