In a small saucepan, stir milk and butter together. Heat over low heat just until butter melts. Cool to about 100-105 F.
Pour the milk mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer.
Add the honey, yeast, and warm water. Stir to combine.
Add 2 cups flour and salt to yeast mixture. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed for about 1 minute.
With the mixer still going, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Mix about 1 ½ minutes, or until dough starts to clean the sides of the bowl.
Knead on low speed for about 2 more minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic – the dough will still be slightly sticky to the touch.
Place dough in a greased bowl, turning it to grease the top. Cover the dough with a clean, dry dish towel.
Let it rise in a warm place, free from draft, for about 10 minutes.
While dough is rising, prepare the filling.
Stir the filling ingredients together until combined. Set aside.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface, and roll into a 12x16-inch rectangle.
Spread filling over dough.
Roll dough up lengthwise, pinching seam to seal.
Cut into 12 pieces, and place in prepared baking dish. I use a serrated knife to cut the dough.
Cover the baking dish with the dish towel, and let the dough rise for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F.
Bake at 20-30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and baked through.
Let the honey buns cool in pan for 5 minutes.
While buns are cooling, whisk icing ingredients together. Icing will be thick.
Spread icing over warm buns.
Let buns sit 10-15 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Anything from skim to whole milk will work. However, a milk with more fat will give you a more tender roll.
A packet of yeast has 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of yeast, so you will need 2 packets to get 3 and 1/2 teaspoons worth of yeast. If you would like to use active dry yeast, after step 4, let the yeast mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy. If your yeast doesn't foam, start over or your dough won't rise.
You may need to use a little more or a little less flour. Go by the look and feel of the dough. You want the dough to be smooth and elastic.