Step 1

Pour the yeast into a large bowl. Pour warm water over the yeast and stir to dissolve.

Step 2

Pour the warm milk over the yeast. You want all your liquid ingredients to feel warm, but not hot.

Step 3

Stir in the sugar and beaten egg.

Step 4

Add 2 cups of the flour and salt, and then mix well by hand.

Step 5

Pour melted (but not too hot) butter in, and mix.

Step 6

Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour, and mix by hand until the dough is sticky, but pulls away from the sides of the bowl into one large ball.

Step 7

Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours.

Step 8

Turn the dough out of the bowl onto a well floured surface. I usually use another 1/4 cup of flour on my work surface, adding some to the top and bottom of the dough as I roll it out to prevent it from sticking to the counter.

Step 9

Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick, into the shape of a rectangle measuring 12 by 18 inches.

Step 10

Smear your softened butter all over the dough. Then sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over the butter, taking care to go to the edges.

Step 11

Starting with a long edge of the rectangle, roll the dough up.

Step 12

Using a sharp serrated knife or dental floss, cut the rolled up dough in half. Cut each half in half again. Then cut each quarter into equal thirds so you have 12 pieces.

Step 13

Place each piece into a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish with the spiral side up.

Step 14

Cover the baking dish and refrigerate overnight.

Step 15

In the morning, remove the baking dish from the fridge and let it sit in a warm spot in your kitchen for one hour. I usually turn my oven on for 30 seconds, then I turn it off and let the rolls rise covered in the just warm oven. Or you may have a “bread proof” setting on your oven.

Step 16

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place the baking dish on the center rack of your oven, and bake for 24-27 minutes. The tops will be golden brown.

Step 17

Place softened butter and cream cheese into the bowl of an electric mixer. Whisk together until smooth and then add powdered sugar and whisk again on low speed. When all of the powdered sugar is mixed in, add heavy cream and whisk on medium high speed for about a minute.