Warm milk. Add yeast and 1 T. sugar to lukewarm water and stir until dissolved. Add 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth.
Beat in soft butter, 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, salt and cardamom. Stir in 2 1/2 cups flour. Place remaining 1/2 cup flour on board or pastry cloth to be used as needed for kneading dough. Turn out dough and knead until smooth and elastic.
Place in butter bowl, cover with a clean cloth and let rise until double in size, about 1 to 2 hours.
On a lightly floured surface, roll into a log. Brush with 1 T. melted butter. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup vanilla bean sugar, 1 tsp of cardamom, and 1/4 cup almonds (if using). Cut at 1 1/2" inch intervals and twist off and turn all slices flat.
Brush top with slightly beaten egg yolk and milk. Sprinkle with your choice of sugar topping. Cover and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.