The Cloud-Like Dough
* 1 cup whole milk
* 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 (1/4 ounce) packs active dry yeast
* 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
* 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
* 1 large egg
* 4-4 1⁄2 cups bread flour
The Gooey Caramel Topping
* 1⁄2 cup salted butter
* 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
* 1⁄4 cup light corn syrup
* 3 tablespoons heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* 1 1⁄2 cups pecans, roughly chopped
The Cinnamon Cream Filling
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup light brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Warm the milk to 80-90°F. Pour into a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of the sugar and the yeast. Stir and let bloom for 5-10 minutes until foamy
2. Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, egg, and 4 cups of bread flour. Knead (by hand or with a dough hook) for 3-5 minutes until a soft, elastic ball forms. Add remaining flour only if needed
3. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let proof until doubled in size (about 1.5 to 2 hours in a warm winter spot)
4. Prepare two 9-inch round pans by greasing them generously
5. Make the topping: Melt salted butter, dark brown sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan until sugar dissolves. Whisk in heavy cream and vanilla until smooth
6. Divide the caramel evenly between the two pans and scatter the 1.5 cups of pecans evenly over the very top of the sauce
7. Make the filling: Beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and cinnamon together until well combined into a paste
8. Punch down the dough and divide into two equal portions. Roll each into a 14×6-inch rectangle on a floured surface
9. Spread the cinnamon-butter paste evenly over each rectangle. Roll up tightly into logs and cut into 8-9 even pieces each
10. Arrange rolls in the pans over the caramel. Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until doubled
11. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until deep golden brown
12. Immediately invert the pans onto serving plates while the caramel is hot. Be very careful—the sauce is scalding!
13. To assemble: Lift the pans to reveal the thick, glistening pecans and caramel now on the very top
14. Serve warm and enjoy the ultimate pull-apart texture!
