Make-Ahead Ooey-Gooey Sticky Buns

From Cooking light, December 1998.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 3 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4ounce) package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1  teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup warm water (105 to 115 )
• 4  cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1  teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  evaporated skim milk, divided
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1  large egg, lightly beaten
•  cooking spray
• 1 1⁄4 cups  packed dark brown sugar, divided
• 1⁄3 cup dark corn syrup
• 2  tablespoons  stick margarine or 2  tablespoons butter
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped pecans
• 1  tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar in 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place 3 3/4 cups flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, nutmeg, and salt in a food processor; pulse 2 times or until blended. Combine 2/3 cup milk, 1/4 cup water, and egg. With processor on, slowly add milk mixture and yeast mixture through food chute; process until dough forms a ball. Process for an additional minute. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.
2. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. Combine 1/3 cup milk, 1 cup brown sugar, corn syrup, and margarine in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Divide pecans evenly between 2 (9-inch) round cake pans coated with cooking spray. Top each with half of brown sugar mixture.
3. Punch dough down; let rest 5 minutes. Roll into a 24 x 10-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface; coat entire surface of dough with cooking spray. Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over dough. Beginning with a long side, roll up jelly-roll fashion; pinch seam to seal (do not seal ends of roll). Cut roll into 24 (1-inch) slices, using string or dental floss. Arrange 12 slices, cut sides up, in each pan. Cover with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray, and let rise in refrigerator 8 to 24 hours or until doubled in size.
4. Preheat oven to 375°.
5. Bake rolls at 375° for 23 minutes. Run a knife around outside edges of pans. Place a plate upside down on top of pan; invert onto plate.
6. Mixer Variation: Combine yeast mixture, 3 cups flour, granulated sugar, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl. Add 2/3 cup milk, 1/4 cup water, and egg. Beat at medium speed of a mixer until blended. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands. Proceed to step 2.