In a large bowl, combine 1 1/3 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat milk, water, and butter until very warm (120 to 130 F). Gradually add to dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 2 to 24 hours.
Prepare cinnamon filling. In a bowl, cut 1/2 cup butter into 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar and 3 tablespoons sugar until crumbly. Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Set aside.
Holding ends of each strip, tie into a knot. On lower third of large greased baking sheet, arrange 5 knots in a row, with edges touching. Build a tree with additional rows of knots – 4 knots in second row, 3 knots in third row, 2 knots in fourth row, and one for top of tree. Place remaining knot at bottom center of tree to make a trunk.
Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes or until done. Decorate with maraschino cherries, if desired.
Nutrition Information Per Serving (1/16 of recipe):
Calories : 300,
Total fat : 12 g,
Saturated fat : 7 g,
Cholesterol : 45 mg,
Sodium : 420 mg,
Carbohydrates : 41 g,
Dietary fiber : 1 g,
Protein : 5 g
