HONEY NUT WASP NESTS — A TWIST ON CLASSIC DESSERTS

A delicious fusion of traditional Romanian “wasp nests” pastries and doughnut-inspired flavors, baked with a cinnamon sugar filling and topped with rich honey caramel and crunchy walnuts.

🕒 Prep Time: 1 hr 15 min (including rising)

🍳 Cook Time: 30-35 min
🍰 Servings: 8-10 nests

Ingredients

Dough:

210 ml milk
50 g sugar
½ packet dry yeast
2 tbsp melted butter
350 g all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt

Filling:

3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Caramel & Topping:

4 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp butter
150 g coarsely chopped walnuts

Instructions

Prepare a soft elastic dough by mixing all dough ingredients and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
Roll out the dough and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar mixture.
Roll dough tightly along the long side and slice into thick pieces about two fingers wide.
In an oven-safe dish, caramelize sugar over low heat until golden. Add honey and butter, stirring well off heat.
Sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly over the caramel.
Arrange dough rolls (“nests”) cut side up on top of the nuts, spacing them about one finger apart to allow room for rising. Cover and let rise another 45 minutes.

Tip: leftover end pieces can be baked in buttered muffin tins sprinkled with sugar.

Bake in a preheated oven at 220°C for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown.
Carefully invert the entire pan onto a serving platter so the caramel and nuts coat the nests. Serve warm or at room temperature.

💡 Tips

Keep an eye on caramel to prevent burning; remove from heat as soon as golden.
Serve with tea or coffee for a comforting treat.
Leftover nests reheat well and remain delicious.

🎉 Perfect For

Traditional inspired desserts
Festive family gatherings
Unique, sweet homemade treats