MAPLE PECAN STICKY BUN BISCUITS WITH CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Position racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Line another baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• For the biscuit dough: Whisk the 5 cups flour with the baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter cubes and toss until each cube is fully coated in the flour. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour until it's about the size of peas.
• Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk. Stir until just incorporated; do not overmix. Use a bench scraper or spatula to divide the dough in half, then refrigerate it while you prepare the topping.
• For the topping and filling: Use 1 tablespoon of the butter to generously grease a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, then combine it with the maple syrup in a liquid measuring cup. Gently pour this mixture into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle the pecans over the brown sugar in an even layer. Set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, pat out one half of the biscuit dough into a 9-inch square; brush evenly with the cream. In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over the biscuit. Carefully transfer the biscuit to the baking pan and gently press it as needed to fill the pan.
• On a lightly floured surface, pat out the remaining biscuit dough into another 9-inch square and place it on top of the biscuit in the baking pan, pressing firmly to fill the pan. Place the baking pan on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake on the lower oven rack until a tester inserted in the center of the biscuit comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
• While the biscuits bake, prepare the candied bacon: Place the bacon strips on the foil-lined baking sheet. In a small bowl, stir to combine the brown sugar and maple syrup. Drizzle a spoonful along the center of each bacon slice, then use your fingers to spread it evenly. Season generously with black pepper.
• Bake the bacon on the upper rack of the oven until crisp and browned, 13 to 17 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately transfer the bacon to a cutting board and let cool. Coarsely chop the bacon.
• Let the sticky buns cool in the pan for 3 to 4 minutes before turning them out onto a serving platter. Spoon any topping still in the pan over the biscuits and sprinkle the bacon evenly over the top. Cut into 9 equal pieces and serve the biscuits warm.