Pecan Monkey Bread

Sweet, nutty, and flavored with warm spices, monkey bread is great to serve for to a large crowd for brunch or afternoon tea.

Serves: 18Hands-on: 30 minutesTotal: 2 hours 20 minutesDifficulty: Medium

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Serves: 18

Ingredients

  • 1 package (2 1⁄4 tsp.) active dry yeast
  • 1⁄4 cup warm water
  • 3⁄4 cup milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 Tbsp. honey
  • 1⁄4 cup plus 1⁄3 cup butter, divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄2 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1⁄4 tsp. ground cardamom
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
  • 1⁄4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp. heavy cream

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 12-cup fluted tube pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • For the dough: In large bowl, combine yeast and warm water; set aside. Combine milk, 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar, honey, and 1⁄4 cup butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; heat until butter melts, about 3 minutes. Let cool to lukewarm.
  • Add cooled butter mixture and egg to the yeast mixture; beat for 1 minute. Gradually add flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk together 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
  • Punch down dough. Divide dough into 1-inch pieces and roll each piece into a smooth ball. Roll dough balls in sugar mixture and place in prepared pan, sprinkling each layer with pecans.
  • Combine brown sugar, 1⁄3 cup butter, maple syrup, and cream in a heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour over dough.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until bread is deep golden brown. Invert onto a serving plate and let cool for 20 minutes, then serve.