Ingredients:
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 5 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup butter, divided
- 1-1/4 cups warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Caramel:
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans, divided
- Optional glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3 to 5 tablespoons 2% milk
Instructions:
- Dissolve yeast in warm water. Melt 5 tablespoons butter. Add milk, eggs, and melted butter; stir in 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
- Punch dough down; shape into 40 balls (about 1-1/4 inches in diameter). Melt remaining 1/2 cup butter. In a shallow bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining 1 cup sugar. Dip balls in butter, then roll in sugar mixture.
- For caramel, bring brown sugar, butter, and cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir for 3 minutes. Pour half of the caramel into a greased 10-inch fluted tube pan; layer with half the pecans and half the dough balls; repeat. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°. Bake until golden brown, 30-40 minutes. (Cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes if top browns too quickly.) Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
- For the optional glaze, beat cream cheese and butter until blended; gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar. Add enough milk to reach the desired consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm bread.
Tips: For an extra touch, consider adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream when serving this delicious pull-apart bread!
