Bourbon Bacon Pecan Sticky Buns

These sticky buns are loaded with bacon, pecans and sticky goo perfect for fall breakfasts or desserts. With a fool-proof dough recipe, these bourbon bacon pecan sticky buns will be a new tradition. 

The best season is carb season. I mean, fall. Basically anything after summer and before spring is carb-season, and I am in full carb-mode. Thank goodness I can bundle up in sweaters and cover up any of the unsightliness that might be making an appearance on the sweater body I am so diligently working on.

And in fall time the temperature plummets, and I have got to full on cozy carb mode to keep my internal body furnace running at full steam. And it’s not just because I’m a carb lover, but I really need that extra heat here people. I work in construction and the tiny job shack I am currently taking up work-residence in is 1) tiny (emphasis on the tiny) 2) is drafty 3) has obnoxiously poor heating, where I literally have a blanket wrapped around me in the mornings,. I’m one step away from turning into Randy from a Christmas Story who is so bundled up that he can’t put his arms down!! and 4) NO BATHROOM. The Horror.

So, I have to trek outside 300 yards to get into the main building to use the terlet. Oh and you know what it does a lot of here in Seattle? Sunshines? LOL, Nope. It rains. So when I am trudging out into the soggy abyss to go use the bathroom – because I staunchly refuse to use the Port-o-potties on the job site. I’m not a wilting, delicate flower, but port-o-potties are line which shant be crossed.

I feel like I really should have had things like a toilet written into my contract, along with  bringing Huck into work, daily shoulder massages and a steady supply of carbs, like these sticky buns in particular, with coffee supplied to me every day. And a raise, because I’m awesome. Obvi.

I think I need my daily sticky bun just to psych myself into going in to work every day.

These Bourbon Bacon Pecan Sticky Buns are a sinful way to fuel you up in the morning and take the edge off the arctic chill that is coming our way this winter. Boubon is by definition the coziest of boozes, and bacon makes everything  better – so naturally, these will rock the socks of anyone who tries them. For the dough I went with a recipe I already knew was the best there ever – for serious –  from Lauren’s Latest with her Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll recipe – and then loaded it up with caramel, bacon, pecans and sinful sticky goo.

I {reluctantly} gave them away to my friends, except for a couple because I knew they would be dangerous to keep solely for Ben and I. I received pictures of their demise and knew that they were a huge hit. The two that I squirreled away didn’t last long at all and I know they will be making another appearance here soon. As in, this weekend. I am a carb-loading machine. I can’t be stopped.

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Bourbon Bacon Pecan Sticky Buns

Yield: 12 Rolls

Prep Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 45 Minutes

Total Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

Dough::
3/4 cup warm water - Not hotter than 102 degrees
2 1/4 teaspoons active Rapid Rise yeast
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 egg
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
4 1/2-5 cups all purpose unbleached flour

Caramel Glaze::
1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
12 Tbsp Butter
⅓ cup Corn Syrup
1/4 cup Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp Bourbon

Filling::
5 Slices Bacon, cooked and finely chopped, divided
¾ cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp Cinnamon
¼ tsp Ground Cloves
¼ tsp Nutmeg
1 Tbsp Butter, melted

Bacon Pecan Topping::
½ of the the Prepared Caramel Glaze
½ cup Pecans, chopped coarsely
3 slices Bacon, cooked and chopped

Directions:

For the Dough::
Hook dough hook to your stand mixer. Into stand mixer bowl add in warm water, yeast and 1 Tablespoon of sugar. Gently swirl once with a spoon and let sit for about five minutes, or until the yeast becomes slightly foamy. Add in remaining sugar and salt. Turn mixer on low and mix. In a large measuring cup whisk together buttermilk, oil and egg and pour into stand mixer bowl and allow to mix. Start by pouring in 2 cups of flour into mixer and stir on low until incorporated. Add in remaining flour in ¼ cup increments until the dough is sticky but not sticking to the sides of the bowl or your hands. Remove dough from mixer bowl and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a dish towel and place in a dark warm place. My favorite place is on my dryer while it's running. Rise 1-2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.

Carmel Glaze::
In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients and whisk constantly over medium heat until the butter has melted and the mixture has combined. Remove from heat. Pour half of the caramel glaze into the bottom of a lightly sprayed 13x9 inch baking dish or casserole pan. Set aside the other half the glaze for later.

Filling::
In a small bowl whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, salt and nutmeg. Roll out proofed dough into a 16 inch by 12 inch rectangle. Pour melted butter over the dough and using a pastry brush distribute the butter over the dough. Sprinkle on the filling over the melted butter. Sprinkle on about half of the cooked and chopped bacon. Starting at the top of the long-edge of the dough, tightly roll the dough in on itself. When you reach the ends of the dough, pinch together the seam and place seam side down. Knick the dough using a VERY sharp knife into 12 sections. Nimbly slice through the 12 sections and place each roll, cut side down,on top of the caramel glaze in the baking dish. Don't pack too tightly, they will need space for a second proofing. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and let rise again - 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Bake rolls in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the rolls register 180 degrees on an instant read thermometer. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

For Bacon Pecan Topping :: If the caramel glaze has thickened too much, reheat gently. Stir in remaining bacon and chopped pecans. With a serving platter, cover the baking dish and carefully invert the baking dish so the sticky buns fall out onto the serving platter. Top with bacon pecan topping. Serve while warm.

Dough recipe by Lauren Brennan :: Filling recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen Sticky Buns with Pecans