Caramel Pecan Upside-Down Muffins

Source: Recipezaar

These taste just like caramel rolls, but without the fuss.- Dec 3, 2003 

1/3 cup brown sugar 
2 tablespoons butter, softened 
36-48 pecan halves (three or four per muffin) 
1 cup flour 
1 cup quick-cooking oat 
1/4 cup sugar 
3 teaspoons baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
1/4 cup butter 
1 egg 
1 cup buttermilk 

Preheat oven to 400*. 
Blend brown sugar and 2 Tbs softened butter. 
Evenly pat this mixture into muffin cups. 
Arrange pecan halves on top of this mixture. 
In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. 
Cut in 1/4 butter into this mixture. 
Blend egg with buttermilk and stir into flour mixture until just moistened. 
Spoon batter into muffin cups, on top of pecan pieces. 
Bake in 400* oven for 15-20 minutes. 
Take these out of the pan immediately or they will stick.