In a large mixing bowl put ¼ cup of warm water (not too hot but make sure it is very warm).
Sprinkle in the packet of yeast and let sit for a couple of minutes.
In a small saucepan heat on low, the milk and butter just until they are melted. Make sure milk and butter are warm to the touch. You do not want this hot but still warm.
While that sets whisk salt, sugar, spices, vanilla, and egg into yeast mixture.
Slowly whisk the milk and butter into the bowl. Make sure to do this slowly so you don't cook the egg.
Add the flour in one cup at a time. After 4 cups add flour in a tablespoon at a time. Do this until the dough is smooth and not that sticky.
Cover the dough with press and seal or a towel and set it on the counter until the dough doubles in size. (about an hour) but how long will depend on the temperature of your kitchen.
Filling
Mix softened butter, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and brown sugar in a small mixing bowl until fully incorporated and smooth like a paste.
Assemble
Spray two 1.5 quart loaf pans with cooking spray or brush with coconut oil.
Preheat oven to 350
When the dough is ready dump it onto a floured surface. With a floured rolling pin roll the dough out into a rectangle shape about 15 inches long.
Spread the filling evenly over the dough.
Cut the dough into about 1 ½ inch strips with a pizza cutter or knife, (as pictured above. ) You will get about 10 strips.
Make 2 stacks of strips about 5 strips in each stack.
With a knife cut the stacked strips into 4-5 sections.
Put each cut stack (uncut side up) in the loaf pan. You will have 2 loaf pans with 4-5 slices each.
Bake at 350 for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is nice and brown. When you pull it out of the oven brush it with melted butter. Make sure to check the center and make sure the bread is completely done and not doughy.