the best sticky date buns

A cross between sticky date pudding and cinnamon buns, these Sticky Date Buns are big, fluffy, soft, delicious and absolutely perfect. Filled with a generous layer of gooey rich sweet sticky dates and glazed with luscious date cream cream cheese frosting that drips into the middle and soaks every single scrumptious bite – you’ll never go back to any other cinnamon bun recipe once you’ve tried this one.

Lovely, I shared a behind-the-scenes look of these warm and gooey Sticky Date Buns fresh from the oven on Instagram last week and you went crazy! I’ve never received so many ‘give me the recipe NOW, pretty please!’ messages! So without further ado, I’m thrilled to be sharing the recipe with you today as well as all the tips and tricks so you can master the BEST home made Sticky Date Buns EVER!

These Sticky Date Buns came about thanks to spending extra time at home on Sunday mornings. Prior to the pandemic we’d usually be out-and-about first thing but since being at home we’ve been baking much more and mastering recipes we’ll keep for a lifetime. These sticky date buns are a recipe worthy of tradition status and one I plan on baking for my little family at every special occasion. Christmas morning and birthdays I’m looking at you!

It’s so easy to see why these sticky date buns deserve special occasion status. They are everything a good cinnamon bun should be – soft, fluffy, generous, oozing with filling and adorned with lashings of frosting with the added cosy deliciousness of rich gooey sticky date pudding. Yep, they’re amazing. Cinnamon buns and sticky date pudding seriously make one scrumptious match made in foodie heaven. Who knew?

Sticky Date Bun Ingredients:

This sticky date bun recipe doesn’t require many ingredients. It does however need just a little love and patience. It also helps if you follow the tips and tricks I spell out, these darlings are the best for a reason, and that means following the recipe and suggestions. Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make the best sticky date buns:

Milk: Use full fat milk and be sure to heat the milk so that it’s warm and not hot (or else it will kill the yeast). Luke warm is perfect.

Yeast: Quick rise or instant yeast is best for this recipe. It helps the dough rise faster. You can use active dry yeast, however the buns may take a little longer to rise.

Eggs: Use room temperature eggs. Why? This ensures the yeast will do it’s thing. Only have fridge cold eggs? Pop them into a glass of warm water to bring them to room temp.

Butter: Required for both the dough (melted and slightly cooled) and the sticky date filling (at room temperature). I like to use salted butter, it’s just tastier.

Plain Flour: Regular plain flour works perfectly in this recipe. The dough should be tacky, soft and a little sticky. Don’t be tempted to add more flour.

Caster Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and sweeten the dough just enough.

Salt: Required for flavour and to keep the yeast in check. A must.

Medjool Dates: These sticky little morsels of sweetness are soaked in hot water and blitzed to a paste. The dates are then divided between the oozing, buttery, cinnamon spiked filling and gooey luscious cream cheese frosting.

How To Make Sticky Date Buns:

Step One: Make The Dough

1. Into the bowl of a stand mixer (with dough hook attached) place the warm milk, sprinkle yeast over the top of the milk.
2. Add in eggs, melted butter, sugar, flour and salt.
3. Mix on low speed until incorporated.
4. Increase speed to medium-high and knead dough for 8 minutes or until elastic and smooth. Note: The dough should be tacky and sticking to the sides of the bowl. Don’t be tempted to add more flour.
5. Transfer dough to a well oiled bowl. Cover with a damp tea towel and place in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size. Note: This may require more or less time depending on the humidity and temperature in your home.

Step Two: Prepare the Sticky Date Filling/Frosting

1. To prepare the dates: Place the dates into a bowl and cover with recently boiled water.
2. Stand for 20 minutes or until the dates are softened.
3. Drain.
4. Place softened dates into the bowl of a food processor and blitz for 2-3 minutes or until dates are smooth.
5. Divide date mixture into two equal portions (half will be used for the filling, the other half for the frosting).
6. To make the filling: place half the date mixture into a large bowl along with brown sugar and room temperature butter and stir thoroughly to combine. Set aside.
7. To make the sticky date frosting: Return half the date mixture to the bowl of the food processor, add cream cheese, butter, vanilla and salt and blitz until lusciously combined. Set aside.

Step Three: Roll Out Dough and Add Filling

1. After dough has doubled in size, transfer dough to a well-floured surface and roll out into a 60 cm x 40 cm rectangle using a floured rolling pin.
2. Use the back of a spoon to smooth the sticky date filling over the dough, reaching the edges.

Step Four: Roll up the Sticky Date Dough

1. Starting on the long end, tightly roll up the dough. It’s super important to get a tight roll, to help this along I recommend pulling the dough towards you and gently pressing down as you roll. That said, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Once finished rolling, place seam side down making sure to seal the edges of the dough as best you can.

Step Five: Cut the Sticky Date Buns

1. Cut into 3-centimetre sections with a floured knife. You should get 10 buns. If the buns smoosh a little when you’re cutting simply reshape.
2. Arrange buns in a greased baking dish.

Step Six: Let the Sticky Date Buns Rise

1. Cover the buns with a damp tea towel and place in a warm place to rise for 20 minutes or until nearly doubled in size.
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 190 C (375 F).

Step Seven: Drizzle with Warm Heavy Cream

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm heavy cream until its luke warm.
2. Drizzle the cream in between the buns prior to baking. TIP: This secret ingredient creates the most soft, rich and gooey cinnamon style buns you’ll ever taste.

Step Eight: Bake Sticky Date Buns

1. Place the cream soaked buns into the oven and bake for 17-19 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly golden brown and the centre rolls are cooked through. 
2. TIP: The baking time will vary depending on the size of the buns, how close they are packed in the pan and what size pan you’re using. The buns could take up to 25 minutes to cook.

Step Nine: Frost Sticky Date Buns

1. Whilst warm, generously cover the buns with a thick layer of date cream cheese frosting. The frosting melts and oozes its way into the middle of the Sticky Date Buns soaking every single bite.

Whenever you need a special breakfast or home made baked treat – this sticky date buns recipe is for you. The rich butterscotch cosy indulgence of sticky date pudding in the form of big, soft, fluffy cinnamon style buns is the stuff of dreams. Happy baking beautiful!

MORE FAMILY-FRIENDLY BAKES YOU’LL LOVE:

Berry Friands

Strawberry Bars

The Best Blondies

Banana Blackberry Poppy Seed Bread

Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sticky Date Granola Cookies

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Peach Raspberry & Coconut Cookies

One Bowl Banana Carrot Mini Loaves

One Bowl Blueberry Poppy Seed Lemon Muffins

Apple Crumble Muffins

Healthy Jam Drop Cookies

Apple Coconut Buckwheat Breakfast Cookies

Apple Brown Butter and Hazelnut Mini Bundt Cakes

Raspberry Pistachio and Lemon Scones

I know you’re going to love these Sticky Date Buns, please let me know if you make it by leaving a comment and rating the recipe below. I’d love to hear from you and it helps encourage others to make the recipe too! Kayla xo.

★ DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING BELOW!

Print