Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread Recipe

By carol gorman

Ingredients

• CARAMEL:
• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1-1/4 cups warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
• 2 large eggs
• 5 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup melted butter, divided
• 1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 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

Details

Servings 20
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 50mins
Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, eggs and 5 tablespoons 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, about 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-in. diameter). Pour remaining melted butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining 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 3 minutes. Pour half of the caramel into a greased 10-in. 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 last 10 minutes if top browns too quickly.) Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.

For optional glaze, beat cream cheese and butter until blended; gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Add enough milk to reach desired consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm bread.
Yield: 1 loaf (20 servings).