In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Whisk in yeast and let it rest for one minute before continuing. Add 4 1/2 cups of the flour and mix with a spoon or dough whisk until all flour is moistened. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warmish spot to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled.

While dough rises, get everything else ready: Cut butter or margarine into cubes and place on a plate so it’s softened by the time the dough has risen. Combine dark brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside. Prepare your baking pan(s), either one 9×13-inch pan, 2 9-inch round cake pans, or 2 8-inch square cake pans by coating the sides and corners with butter or nonstick spray. Line the bottom of each pan with a piece of parchment.

Once dough has doubled, stir in remaining 1/2 cup flour and turn dough out onto a well-floured counter. Flour the top of the dough and roll into a large rectangle, about 20 inches wide and as deep as you can comfortably stretch it, keeping it about 1/2-inch thick. Spread dough with softened butter. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar mixture. Roll the dough away from you into a tight coil. Gently stretch it closer to a 24-inch log. Cut log into 12 or 16 even segments. 12 will make classic, generously-sized buns. 16 will make more of a muffin-sized bun.

If you’re baking the buns now: Let buns rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to finish proofing. Heat oven to 350°F. Bake the buns for 25 minutes, or until golden at edges and a toothpick inserted into the center of a few buns will come out with cinnamon goo on it, but not stretchy, uncooked dough.

If you’re baking the buns tomorrow morning: Lightly coat a piece (or pieces) of plastic with nonstick spray, cover your pan(s), and transfer them to the fridge to chill overnight. You can bake them directly from the fridge in the morning. Bake the buns for 25 minutes, or until golden at edges and a toothpick inserted into the center of a few buns will come out with cinnamon goo on it, but not stretchy, uncooked dough.

While the buns bake, make your glaze: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

When buns come out of the oven, cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then spoon cream cheese glaze on each. Eat right away.