CARAMEL-PECAN MONKEY BREAD

Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread image

The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

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Ingredients

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

Steps:

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Melt 5 tablespoons butter. Add milk, eggs and 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, 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). Melt remaining butter. In a 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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 334 calories, Fat 15g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 52mg cholesterol, Sodium 207mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.