PIONEER WOMAN STICKY BUNS RECIPES

Steps:

• For the dough: Heat the milk, oil and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat to just below a boil. Set aside and let cool to warm.
• Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit on the milk mixture for 1 minute. Add 4 cups of the flour. Stir until just combined, then cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside in a relatively warm place for 1 hour.
• After 1 hour, remove the towel and add the salt, baking powder, baking soda and remaining 1/2 cup flour. Stir thoroughly to combine. Use the dough right away or place in a mixing bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down the dough if it rises to the top of the bowl. (The dough is easier to work with if it's been chilled for at least an hour or so beforehand.)
• To assemble the rolls: On a floured baking surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30 inches by 10 inches. The dough should be very thin.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the filling: Pour the melted butter over the surface of the dough. Use your fingers to spread the butter evenly. Sprinkle over the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Don't be afraid to drizzle on more butter or more sugar! Gooey is the goal.
• Now, beginning at the end farthest from you, roll the rectangle tightly towards you. Use both hands and work slowly, being careful to keep the roll tight. Don't worry if the filling oozes as you work; that just means the rolls are going to be divine. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. You'll wind up with one long buttery, cinnamony, sugary, gooey log. Slip a cutting board underneath the log and, with a sharp knife, make 16 equal slices.
• For the smear and base: Cream together the brown sugar, butter, honey and salt until lightened, then slowly add the whiskey and vanilla while mixing.
• Butter a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, layer the bottom with the pecan pieces and then scoop 5 large scoops of the smear on top. Heat in the oven until the smear is slightly foamy and bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the oven and place the sliced rolls on top of the melted smear (it's fine to put them on the hot smear). Allow the rolls to rise for 20 minutes.
• Return the skillet to the oven and bake until the rolls are golden brown and the smear is brown and sticky, 20 to 30 minutes. Take another 12-inch skillet and place it on top of the hot skillet. Flip over quickly and carefully. All of the caramelly, boozy goodness will be on top.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a 12-cup muffin tin on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Line 2 additional baking sheets with aluminum foil.
• Lay the bacon slices on the baking sheets lined with foil. Bake until almost crispy, but not quite done, about 18 minutes. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour the bacon fat into a small pot. Once the bacon is cool, crumble into small pieces.
• Place the pot over medium-low heat. Add 1 cup brown sugar and cook, whisking frequently, until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. (The mixture will look granular.) Slowly stream in the maple syrup and whisk vigorously as the mixture begins to bubble. Once syrup comes together, add the cream and kosher salt. Remove from the heat and whisk until all of the cream is incorporated. Reserve until ready to use.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Unfold both sheets of puff pastry and arrange the sheets so that the fold lines run parallel to the counter edge. Generously brush the sheets with the melted butter. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar with the cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the buttered sheets. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled bacon and some of the chopped pecans over the pastry. Gentle press the bacon and nuts into the sugar mixture with your palms. Roll the pastry away from you, forming 2 tight logs. Use a serrated knife to cut each log into 6 equal pieces.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of the bacon caramel into each muffin cup. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon each crumbled bacon and chopped pecans. Place sticky buns cut-side into caramel in each muffin cup and gently press down, maintaining the round shape.
• Bake until the caramel bubbles and the buns are deeply golden brown, about 35 minutes. Work quickly to release the sides of the buns from the muffin cups, using a small knife. Carefully invert the muffin tin onto another baking sheet. Spoon any caramel that remains in the muffin tin over the buns. Serve immediately.