Here’s a recipe for Alabama Pecan Delights, a sweet and gooey treat with rich pecans, caramelized sugar, and a soft, buttery dough—perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
For the Pecan Filling:
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted, if preferred)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the Sticky Caramel Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Make the Dough:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture is frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Mix everything together until the dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 5 minutes.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the Pecan Filling:
- In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- In another small bowl, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. This will be used to brush onto the dough before adding the filling.
3. Roll and Fill the Dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a 16×12-inch rectangle.
- Brush the melted butter evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over the dough.
- Starting from the long side, carefully roll the dough up tightly into a log, making sure the filling stays inside.
- Slice the log into 12 even rolls and place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
4. Make the Caramel Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the butter is fully melted. Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly before pouring it over the rolls.
5. Let the Rolls Rise:
- Cover the rolls with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes to an hour, or until they’ve puffed up.
6. Bake the Pecan Delights:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. If the rolls start to brown too quickly, you can cover them loosely with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time.
7. Serve:
- Let the rolls cool for 5-10 minutes before flipping them over onto a serving platter (to let the caramel sauce coat them).
- Serve warm, and enjoy your Alabama Pecan Delights!
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes before using them in the filling.
- You can make the dough the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, just take it out to rise and proceed with the recipe as usual.
These Alabama Pecan Delights will bring the perfect blend of gooey, nutty, and sweet, perfect for breakfast or dessert. Enjoy!
