A friend of mine saw this on Pinterest and declared that it must be made…quickly! A cooking date was planned, and between three adults and four kids under the age of four (oh yeah…it was a zoo!) this ooey, gooey, sticky, wonderful creation was made and devoured! There are some discrepancies as to where the recipe originated. I used the recipe found on I Heart Food…who stated that she found it on Mandy’s Recipe Box. It’s a fairly easy recipe, but there is a good amount of down time waiting for the dough to rise, and rise, and shape, and rise. We were able to fill this time with snacks, chasing after kids, painting, play doh, and a book or two. All in all it made for a busy, delicious morning!  And surprisingly enough, the bread really isn’t as sweet as you might expect it to be.  It has a lovely flavor, but you could always add a quick powdered sugar drizzle or light glaze to really amp up the dessert factor!

For the Dough:

• 2 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour, divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast (I used quick rising, because it’s awesome)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Filling:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted until browned

In a large mixing bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Set aside.

In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and milk. Once the butter is completely melted take off the burner and add the water and vanilla. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes, or until the mixture cools to about 125 degrees.

Pour the milk mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.

Add eggs and mix well. Add 3/4 cup of flour and mix well. The mixture will be very sticky which means it’s perfect

Place the dough in a medium greased bowl. Cover with wrap and let it sit in a warm place to rise for about 30-45 minutes.

Confession:  This was one of the best baking experiences ever (and I’m not speaking sarcastically, I had the giggles the majority of the time!)  My host: “I’m going to preheat the oven” as soon as she saw the dough come together.  Me: “turn off the oven”  Her: “But, don’t we need to preheat the oven?”  Me:  “We can preheat the oven in about two hours when the dough is ready” Her:  “What!?!”

Once the dough has doubled its size, knead in the final 2 tablespoons of flour. Cover the dough again for another 5-10 minutes.

While the dough is rising you can start on the filling. Mix together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl. Set aside.  Brown the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, which will take about five minutes. Once browned, take off heat and set aside.

Once the dough is ready, roll it out on a floured surface. Brush the butter on the the dough

Confession:  Man…I love browned butter!  The smell, the flavor, the nutty little specks of caramelized proteins in the butter…it’s just lovely!

Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the butter. Make sure the dough is covered in the sugar mixture right up to the edges!

Confession:  Her: “Can I start the oven now?”  Me: “Not quite yet”  Her:  “Are you kidding me!?!  How much longer!”

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into six equal strips.