Maple Pecan Sticky Buns

Directions

1. To make the dough, warm the butter, milk and sugar in a small saucepan. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer and let stand until slightly tepid. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk, stir gently, and let sit in a warm place until it starts to bubble, about 10 to 15 minutes. 2. Mix in the egg, flour, and salt, and knead with the paddle or dough hook at low-to-medium speed until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Knead the dough a few times with your hand until it’s a smooth ball, place it back in the bowl and cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Time can vary, and it may take longer, or less time. 3. While the dough is rising, make the topping. Lightly butter a 9-inch round or 8-inch square cake pan. Heat the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and salt in a small saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer and cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. When it gets foamy, after a minute or so, when a few of the bubbles start to get larger, remove from heat. . 4. Pour the maple caramel into the prepared cake pan and strew the pecans over the caramel. Set aside. 5. To make the filling, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. 6. When the dough has risen, knead the dough a couple of times on a lightly floured countertop and roll it into a 10-inch square. Spread the softened butter over the dough and sprinkle evenly with the filling mixture. Roll up the dough as tightly as possible and using a serrated knife, cut the dough into 8 or 9 slices. If using a square pan, cut into 9. If using a round pan, cut into 8. Place them in the pan with the cut side up. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean, lint-free kitchen towel, and let rise until almost doubled, about 1 hour. 7. Ten minutes before you’re ready to bake the sticky buns, preheat the oven to 375ºF . Place the pan of sticky buns on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake until the center roll is lightly browned on top and it doesn’t feel soft when you press it with your finger, 25 to 30 minutes. 8. Remove the rolls from the oven. Let cool for 5 minutes then run a knife around the outside , then tip the sticky buns out onto a cooling rack or serving platter.