Cinnamon Pecan Sticky Buns

Well, here it is. The big splurge of the high calorie season. You have New Year’s Day left to induldge before the New Year’s Resolutions begin. These sticky buns are actually based off Ina Garten’s easy sticky buns. I’ve made them several times, but this past Christmas I nearly caught my mother in law’s kitchen on fire because of all the smoke and mess from the original recipe. Additionally, my family felt the sticky rolls were just too sweet. There is so much butter and sugar they have an almost candy coating to the exterior. Most of our pecans were over done. The butter and sugar ran off the pans and created a huge mess in the oven.

Everyone has a house full of guests and you want to serve something special other than toast with your fantastic Egg Strata. These simple sticky buns are the perfect breakfast treat. They are quick, require only a few ingredients and NO dough making! Yay!

So, I attempted and created a lower sugar and butter recipe that has a much easier clean up and will leave your oven spotless. We added more pecans and golden raisins, which I find plumper than standard raisins. To make them extra special, I topped the dough with smoked salt flakes just before baking to cut the sweetness. This recipe is super easy. No yeasted bread to rise overnight, no kneading- simple puff pastry is the star of the show. The layers are delicate, sweet, tender and flaky. Give these a try tomorrow morning with a strong cup of coffee (assuming everyone is going overindulge tonight) and as always, let me know your thoughts. Put on Macklemore’s amazing Christmas song while you bake these. Enjoy!