In a large bowl, using a stand or handheld mixer, combine 1 ½ cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Set aside.
In a small saucepan combine milk, water and butter.
Heat gradually until butter melts and mixture is warm.
Slowly add milk mixture to your large bowl with the flour mixture in it.
Beat until smooth.
Add the egg and enough flour to make a thick batter, about 3 cups.
Beat until smooth.
Next, prepare your work surface with flour and place the batter on top of the flour.
Knead in the remaining flour until an elastic dough forms. You may not need all of the flour.
Place the dough inside a well greased bowl and paint melted butter all over the top.
Cover with a clean, damp towel and let the dough rise until it has almost doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Punch in the middle of the dough at about the 40 minute mark. This will remove some of the air that has built up in the dough.
When you are getting ready to bake your dough prepare a medium sized bowl with brown sugar, corn syrup and butter.
Using a handheld mixer blend until smooth.
Grease a 13x9 inch pan with butter and a 9 inch round or square pan as well, if needed. (You can also use three 9 inch square or round pans as well.)
Pour caramel topping inside your prepared pan and make sure the bottom of the pan is covered.
Sprinkle with pecans, as many as you want. We always make sure the bottom is basically covered in pecans. If you choose to omit the pecans this is the time.
Again, punch in the center of your dough and divide the dough up into 3 even pieces. At your workstation flour your surface and roll out the dough until it is about 20 inches by 10 inches. A little more or a little less will not matter.
You have the option of including more filling in your buns if you desire and I have included the recipe to use if you want to. You really should try Option 2 at least once!