Monday, May 14, 2012

Pecan Sticky Buns

I DID IT!  I was pretty sure I was not going to do this recipe.  I had slotted some time this past weekend to make these buns but after a long week of working, putting kiddos to bed, waking up with a teething baby, fighting a cold... it was looking doubtful.  There were signs upon signs telling me not to put one more thing on my plate (even if it was a giant plate of gooey, yummy sticky pecan buns).  Despite this, I picked up my friend's stand mixer on Friday night, still playing along with the calendar on my iPhone that stated "Pecan rolls" on Saturday.  And then I woke up Saturday, and said to myself, "Wait... I don't need to do this.  This baking group is just for fun and if I made these rolls right now it would not be fun, at all.  And if I really want a pecan bun I can go buy one down the street."   I even entertained the thought of dropping out of the baking group altogether.  I have enough things to do that aren't by choice right now, so the few things I do chose to do need to be fulfilling and rewarding and relaxing and not stressful.  That's a tall order.

So Saturday came and went and I didn't even think about the recipe.  Not even once.

The proofed sponge.
Sunday was a different story.  It must have been the 4-5 hour stretch of sleep I got the night before.  I had more energy.  And somewhere in the midst of naps and diapers and gardening I made the brioche sponge and then the brioche dough.  And it was fun.  It was like no other dough I have made and using the stand mixer was revolutionary for me.



The dough chilled overnight and Monday is a day off of work for me, so I was around the house enough to piece together the rest of the recipe throughout the day.  I wound up eating my Pecan Sticky Bun at 9pm on Monday night with a glass of milk (I debated whether or not to pair it with a glass of wine).  Not quite like I had envisioned in the morning with a cup of coffee but it was glorious.  And it was fun.  And it was way better than anything I could have bought.

Ready to bake.
My baking notes:
- I pretty much followed the recipe without variation.
- I used all the butter.  And I laminated the dough.   I would do the same next time.
- I upped the cinnamon to 1/2 tsp and I am glad I did.
- The mixer I borrowed was a Kitchen Aid Professional Series mixer and it didn't even break a sweat.
- I have 1/2 the recipe in my freezer- maybe this one will be made for breakfast!
- On one roll, I didn't trim the end and the bun came out all whompus so I would definitely trim all ends.

Look at all that butter!

For the complete recipe see our hosts:
Nicole of Cookies on Friday
Eat Drink Man Woman Dogs Cat





21 comments:

  1. Your are a "wonder-woman-mama" <3
    Hope your teething baby is feeling better.
    Your buns looks delicious. I did not like the topping but the brioche: oh yes!
    I've "decimated" and replaced the butter and were still fine.
    All the best from Switzerland

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    1. Baby is feeling so much better- thus I am too! Thanks!

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  2. Oh, little ones who are getting teeth is not fun. I don't remember sleeping much during those days.
    Your rolls look great - I am sure the stand mixer helped.
    We froze a log as well - I took them out of the freezer the night before, cut them & placed them in the prepared pan in the fridge over night for their second rise & baked them off in the morning. The kids were so excited for the breakfast treat :-)

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    1. I do want them for a morning treat but I wasn't sure how to do it so thanks for the how-to! Perfect.

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  3. I really enjoyed these buns despite the work, the butter and the time they required. yours look like they came out really well!! all that with a baby.. hats off to you!!

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  4. Great job.,.they look great! I loved these buns despite all the effort!

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  5. Couldn't imagine doing this when my kids were that small. You're my hero. And I'm totally co-opting the word "Whompus."

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  6. These were fantastic, weren't they? I agree with you - all that work and all that butter are worth the final product. Hope you get to enjoy some with your breakfast soon.

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    1. That frozen loaf is destined to be a breakfast treat soon! Looking forward to it already.

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  7. Great job!! Your sticky buns look lovely! I have to agree with Tammy…tough to work around little ones!

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  8. So glad the end result was so satisfying! They look delicious. And, your new blog design is great!

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  9. I am impressed that you can still garden with a little one in diapers AND bake. My garden took a nose dive when my kids were that little. Your sticky buns look beautiful in that springform pan! Great job!

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    1. My garden is paltry at best. This summer may be my last crop for awhile. (Crop is an overstatement.)

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  10. They look great! And good job getting it done with all those distractions! I think they were worth the trouble.

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  11. Glad you were able to find time and enjoy them. Hope your little one's teeth are doing better. I bought a nice bottle of champagne for myself once my son finally got his last tooth. :)

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    1. Great idea- the champagne I mean! She is doing so much better the last few days (figures). And she even has a second tooth.

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  12. You were wise to borrow a KA! Its not necessary but certainly makes it easier. Isn't it amazing what sleep can do for you? I thought about pairing the buns with wine too... you know, to help digest the fat.

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