Cheesy Pecan Roll Recipes

GRANDMOTHER STOUGAARD'S CARAMEL PECAN SWEET ROLLS

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a small saucepan, and set over medium heat. Heat just until a skin starts to form on the top, then remove from the stove, and stir in salt and 1/4 cup margarine. Allow to cool to lukewarm.
• Place 1/8 cup of warm water in a small bowl. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the surface, and let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, stir together the cooled milk mixture and the yeast for 2 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. Add egg, and mix well. Use a large wooden spoon to stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until the mixture forms a dough. Knead on a floured surface, adding more flour if necessary, until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl, and turn once to coat the top. Cover, and let rise until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• Punch down dough, and let rest on the counter while you prepare the caramel topping. In a medium bowl, mix together the corn syrup, 1 1/2 tablespoons of water, 3 tablespoons of margarine and brown sugar until smooth. Spread an even layer onto the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish. Place pecan halves upside down in rows over the sugar mixture. Set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to a 9x12 inch rectangle Spread with 2 tablespoons of margarine. Mix together 1/4 cup of sugar with the cinnamon; sprinkle over the margarine. Roll the dough up starting at the long end to form a log. Pinch the seam together to seal. Cut the roll into 1 inch rounds. Place the rounds into the prepared baking dish. Set in a warm place to rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake rolls for 20 to 25 minutes in the oven, until golden brown. Invert baking pan onto a cutting board or a clean cookie sheet while still warm so the caramel topping is on top.

SIMPLE PECAN ROLLS

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until well blended. Spread in the bottom of a 9-in. round baking pan. Top with pecans. Place rolls upside down over pecans. , Bake at 450° for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Immediately turn onto a serving platter. Serve warm.

PAN FRIED PECAN CRUSTED CHEESY LASAGNA ROLLS & SWEET POTATO

Steps:

• Pasta -- These can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated. Boil until tender. They are pan sauteed, so make sure they aren't falling apart - just tender. Simply follow the directions on the package. You can use fresh or boxed for this, but don't use NO boil noodles, they do not work as well.
• Cheese -- In a small bowl, mix the ricotta, fontina, parmesan, egg, nutmeg and pepper. Mix well to combine and set off to to the side.
• Breading -- In 3 small bowls, add the flour to the first one; the eggs to one for dipping; and add the nuts and bread crumbs for dredging.
• Lasagna -- Layout each lasagna noodle on a piece of parchment paper or foil (my trick, I spray with Pam or non-stick spray so they don't stick) and spread 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on each noodle and roll up. DON'T over fill. Then dredge lightly in the flour, then in the egg and finally in the bread crumbs. Make sure you get the ends too. Now, they are all done, but I prefer to cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up before pan frying. They just hold together much better. While your pasta set up, make the sauce and a nice salad or side dish.
• Sauce -- Remember, you can make these ahead as well and refrigerate and then just reheat. But, in a small sauce pan, add the butter and bring to medium heat. Add the garlic, shallots and saute until soft and tender. There is no need to brown them, just sweat and slowly cook. While the garlic and shallot sautes, cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave. 8-10 minutes until fork tender. Once tender, let cool enough to handle and then scoop out the flesh. Add the potato to the garlic and shallot mixture. Slowly add in the cream until you reach the consistency you like. I prefer 1 1/2 cups, but you can more or less if you like. It should be nice and creamy. I don't like my sauce too thin, but add as much as you like. As it simmers it will reduce a bit, so you can always add in a bit more cream. Don't worry. Add in the salt and pepper and taste for seasoning. The fresh sage and parsley should be added right before serving.
• Lasagna Saute -- In a large non-stick saute pan (it works best for this), add the olive oil and bring to medium heat. Add the noodles, seam side down first and saute until golden brown on all sides. Don't worry as some of the cheese will come out. These don't take too long.
• Serve -- My favorite way is to saute some kale or spinach and serve these pretty cheesy rolls over the bed of greens and top with the warm sweet potato sauce and garnish with grated parmesan cheese.

PECAN CHEESE LOGS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheeses, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce. Shape mixture into two logs, about 6 in. long. Roll in pecans, pressing down gently., Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve with crackers.