Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the sugar and butter. Mix in the eggs, milk, dissolved yeast in water, and vanilla. 
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt; add to the wet mixture and beat until incorporated. Set the bowl aside, cover loosely with a clean dishtowel, and let the dough rise until doubled in size (1 1/2 to 2 hours).
3. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, melted butter and nuts (you can use the cherries for a festive look if you don't care for nuts).
4. Punch the dough down and spread into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Sprinkle the topping on top.
5. Place the pan in a cold oven and cover with a clean dishtowel. Let it sit overnight in the cold oven to rise. You can turn on the oven light to add a little bit of heat to the oven.
6. The next morning, remove the dishtowel (don't forget this step!!), turn the oven to 350°F. and bake for 30 minutes. Serve warm.