Praline-Pecan Monkey Bread

1 cup pecan pieces, toasted & divided
20 frozen yeast rolls, thawed & quartered [I used Rhodes]
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup butter [1 1/2 sticks] 
1/3 cup heavy cream
2 tsp pure vanilla or rum extract
sea salt

Directions:
30 minutes prior to preparing:
Place the frozen yeast rolls in a single layer on a platter, and thaw on the counter for 30 minutes.  [tip: If the rolls are slightly frozen in the middle, they're much easier to quarter.]  
Toast the pecans: 
Preheat the oven to 350 °F.  Spread the pecan pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast for 6-8 minutes.  Cool completely
To assemble: Spritz a tube pan with cooking spray. [tip: The rolls will rise while baking. A Bundt pan is not quite deep enough for this monkey bread]    Use a sharp knife and quarter each roll.
Mix together 2/3 cup of granulated sugar and 1 Tbsp of ground cinnamon.  Toss with the quartered rolls in a large plastic storage bag until evenly coated.  

Sprinkle 1/3 of the toasted pecans on the bottom of the tube pan.  Layer half of the quartered rolls on top of the pecans in the pan.  Sprinkle the first layer of rolls with 1/3 of the remaining pecan pieces.  Layer the remaining quartered rolls on top.  Sprinkle any leftover cinnamon and sugar over all.  Top with the last 1/3 cup of toasted pecan pieces.

On the stove top, melt the brown sugar,  butter and heavy cream together over medium-high heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Cook for 1 minute.  Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla or rum extract.  The mixture is very hot, handle carefully.

Pour evenly over the rolls in the pan.  Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 °F for 35-40 minutes until golden.  Rest for 5-10 minutes before carefully inverting onto a platter.  All of the gooey praline sauce will drizzle down the sides.  Sprinkle the top with sea salt.  Pull apart and enjoy!