Step 1

Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter for the filling in a medium bowl and let sit at room temperature to soften while you make the dough.

Step 2

Make the dough: Place 4 cups of the all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 packet active dry yeast, and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment and whisk to combine. (Alternatively, place in a large bowl if kneading by hand.)

Step 3

Place 1 cup warm water, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 large eggs, and 1 large egg yolk in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Turn the mixer speed on to low and slowly pour in the egg mixture. Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth, soft, and forms a ball, 7 to 8 minutes. If the dough is sticking to the edges of the bowl, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time and continue mixing -- you may need up to 4 tablespoons more. (If kneading by hand, stir until the dough comes together, then knead on a lightly floured work surface.)

Step 4

Gently remove the dough from the bowl and coat the bowl in cooking spray. Tightly cover the bowl in plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, make the filling when the butter is softened.

Step 5

Make the filling: Prep the following, adding them to the bowl of softened butter: Mince 8 garlic cloves. Finely chop 1/2 bunch of fresh parsley leaves (about 1/2 cup) and finely grate 1 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup). Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and stir and smash together to combine.

Step 6

When the dough is ready, punch it down and transfer onto a lightly floured work surface. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a 24x10-inch rectangle (about 1/4-inch thick), with a long side closer to you.

Step 7

Spread half of the filling onto the dough. Starting at the long end closest to you, roll the dough up tightly into a log, using a bench scraper as needed to help release the dough from the work surface. Pinch the seam together at the top.

Step 8

Position the log seam-side down. Cut crosswise into 15 pieces with a sharp knife or piece of unflavored dental floss. Arrange the cut rolls cut-side up in the baking dish, 5 across and 3 down. Loosely cover in plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

Step 9

Uncover and bake until puffed, golden-brown, and a toothpick or skewer inserted in several spots comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Immediately spread the remaining butter mixture over the knots and let it melt.