Bobby Flay’s Sticky Buns with Orange–Honey–Brown Sugar Glaze and Toasted Almonds

Preparation

1. Step 1

   To make the dough, sprinkle the yeast and the pinch of granulated sugar over the warm milk in a small bowl; set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes.

   Step 2

   Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Whisk the butter, vanilla, and egg yolk into the yeast.

   Step 3

   Whisk the flour, remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and the salt together in a large bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture to make a sticky dough. Knead the dough on a floured work surface until it is soft and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. Shape it into a ball and brush it with a little melted butter. Place in a bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

   Step 4

   Remove the dough from the bowl and gently knead for a few minutes to deflate. Re-form it into a ball. Return it to the bowl, cover with buttered plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 hours.

   Step 5

   To make the glaze, generously butter a 9×13-inch baking pan. Combine the muscovado sugar, butter, orange juice, zest, and honey in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture thickens and the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Carefully pour the glaze mixture into the buttered pan, evening it out by tilting the pan. Sprinkle the almonds over the top. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the buns.

   Step 6

   Roll the dough into a 10×18-inch rectangle with a long edge facing you. To make the filling, spread the 4 tablespoons butter over the surface. Combine the muscovado sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl, and scatter the mixture over the butter. Roll the dough into a long tight cylinder; pinch the long edge to seal. Using fine string or dental floss, cut the cylinder into 1 1/2-inch-thick rolls. Evenly space the rolls, cut side up, on top of the caramel mixture in the pan. Cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

   Step 7

   Preheat the oven to 350°F.

   Step 8

   Place the baking pan in the oven and bake the buns until golden, 30 to 35 minutes.

   Step 9

   Remove the pan from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before inverting the buns onto a large platter. Serve warm.