2 pkg. dry yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 c. warmed milk
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
3 eggs, room temperature
5 1/4-5 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1 c. raisins (optional)

Sprinkle the yeast over the 1/4 cup warm water in a small cup. Stir. Let stand for a minute to dissolve. Combine 1 cup warm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 cup butter, softened and 3 eggs in a large mixing bowl; beat well. Stir in the dissolved yeast. Add 2 1/2 cups of flour and beat until smooth and well blended. Add 2 1/2 cups more flour and beat until the dough holds together in a rough, shaggy mass.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or two. let rest for 10 minutes. Resume kneading for 8-10 minutes. More gradually adding a little more flour if the dough sticks to your hands. Stop when it is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk. Punch dough down and let rest about 10 minutes.

Mix 1 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon together and spread out on a large plate or piece of waxed paper. Grease a 10 inch tube pan heavily. Have 1/2 cup melted butter slightly warm. Tear off golf ball size pieces of dough and with lightly floured hands roll them in the sugar mixture tossing until they are completely coated. Place the balls in the prepared pan, leaving about 1 inch in between. Dip 6 more balls in the butter and roll in the sugar mixture, place them in the pan. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the nuts and raisins and continue layering and sprinkling until dough is used. Sprinkle any of the remaining sugar mixture over the top, cover with foil and let rise to the top of the pan.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour. If the top begins to brown too much, cover loosely with a piece of foil and continue baking. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Unmold onto a large platter.