Maple Pecan Rings!

I must admit....I have trouble writing about anything "maple" in May...."Maple" just seems like a September/October thing. But I guess it's my fault. I don't have trouble BAKING anything maple in May..... I made these maple rings for our local coffee shop a few Fridays ago and then posted the pic on Facebook. It got LOTS of views and LOTS of "likes"! That is what my hubby tells me is a "clue".....Maybe people would enjoy having this recipe! Fortunately, all the maple ingredients are available to most of us year-round, and there certainly is no seasonality to a sweet bread with all these wonderful tastes and textures. So, to those of you who like to occasionally like to serve it up sweet, don't let "maple in May" stop you -

 TRY THIS RECIPE!! 

                    Maple Pecan Rings  (Makes 2 rings)                                     

Dough:

1 packet/Tbsp. Red Star Platinum yeast 

¼ Cup warm water

½ Cup warm milk

¼ Cup softened butter

2 eggs

3 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

3 ¼-3 ½ Cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Filling:

½ Cup brown sugar

½ Cup chopped pecans

1/3 Cup sugar

¼ Cup maple syrup

¼ Cup butter, softened

2 Tbsp. unbleached, all-purpose flour

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. maple flavoring

In EZ DOH bucket, dissolve yeast in water. Let rest 1 minute.  Add one cup of flour, then remaining dough ingredients. EZ DOH-it till dough is formed, adding additional flour as necessary to make a smooth and elastic dough. Remove dough from bucket. Spray bucket with cooking spray, replace dough, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled. Remove dough from bucket and divide in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece to a 14x8” rectangle. Combine filling ingredients. Spoon ½ on each rectangle and spread to ½” of the edge. Starting with the long edge, roll up jelly-roll style. Pinch seam and place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet. Cut one roll in half lengthwise, carefully keeping cut side up. Loosely twist strips over one another, keeping cut side up. Join ends by pinching dough together and shape into a ring. Repeat with second roll. Cover and let rise briefly. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes, or until browned. Remove from oven. Cool on a wire rack. Drizzle with a maple confectioners icing, if desired. Enjoy! 

Maple Pecan Rings!