Oatmeal, Pecan, and Date Sticky Biscuits

Whisk in vanilla.

Spread syrup evenly in prepared pan.

Arrange pecans, rounded side down, in concentric circles in syrup.

Mix 1/3 cup sugar, dates, and cinnamon in small bowl.

Whisk first 5 ingredients in large bowl.

Add diced butter.

Rub in with fingertips until coarse meal forms.

Add 3/4 cup buttermilk and toss, using fork, until moist clumps form, adding more buttermilk by tablespoonfuls if dough is dry.

Gather dough into ball; flatten into rectangle.

Roll dough out on floured parchment paper to 16x8-inch rectangle.

Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter.

Sprinkle evenly with date mixture; press to adhere.

Starting at 1 long side and using parchment as aid, roll up jelly-roll style.

Cut dough log crosswise into 8 equal pieces.

Place 1 piece, cut side down, in center of pan; arrange remaining 7 pieces around center.

Press each to flatten slightly.

Brush tops with 1 tablespoon melted butter.

Bake biscuits until tester inserted into dough comes out clean and syrup is bubbling thickly, about 35 minutes.

Remove biscuits from oven and let stand 1 minute.

Place platter over pan.

Using oven mitts, hold pan and platter together and invert.

Lift off pan; scrape syrup left in pan over biscuits.

Cool at least 30 minutes.

Serve warm or at room temperature.