Caramel Glazed Monkey Bread

Wax paper

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Breakfast Bread Dough (see below)

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Caramel Glaze (see below)



1. Generously grease a 10-inch (12-cup) tube pan; line bottom with wax paper, and lightly grease wax paper.



2. Stir together granulated sugar and next 2 ingredients in a small bowl. Turn Breakfast Bread Dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead 3 or 4 times. Shape dough into about 60 (1 1/2-inch) balls. Dip each in melted butter; roll in sugar mixture.



3. Place a single layer of coated balls in prepared pan, covering bottom completely. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup pecans. Repeat layers twice. Top with any remaining sugar mixture; drizzle with any remaining melted butter.



4. Cover dough; let stand 1 hour.



5. Preheat oven to 350°. Uncover and bake 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool 20 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, discarding wax paper. Invert onto a serving platter. Drizzle with glaze. Serve warm.



To make ahead: Prepare recipe through Step 3. Cover and chill up to 24 hours. Let stand 1 hour and 30 minutes. Proceed as directed in Step 5.



Breakfast Bread Dough



1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°)

1 (1/4-oz.) envelope active dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

5 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

5 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons table salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup cold butter, cubed

1/2 cup shortening, cubed

2 cups buttermilk, at room temperature



1. Stir together first 3 ingredients in a 1-cup glass measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.



2. Stir together flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; cut butter and shortening into flour mixture with a pastry blender or 2 forks until crumbly. Add yeast mixture and buttermilk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill 2 to 72 hours.



To make ahead: Prepare recipe as directed. Cover and chill up to 72 hours. Use as directed in Caramel-Glazed Monkey Bread or Chocolate Rolls.



Caramel Glaze



3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

6 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract



Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Stir constantly 2 minutes; use immediately.



Southern Living