Whisk the milk, egg, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla together until blended. Following the bread machine manufacturer's instructions for order, add the milk mixture to the bread machine pan along with the flour, 4 tablespoons softened butter, salt, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and yeast.

Set your machine on the rapid dough cycle.

Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out to make a rectangle about 10-by-20 inches. Spread the rolled out dough with the 3 tablespoons of melted butter.

In a small bowl, combine the 6 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon and the chopped pecans, if using. Sprinkle evenly over the entire buttered surface. Roll up tightly from the long end; pinch seams to seal.

Cut the roll into 1-inch slices.

Place the rolls, cut side down, in a greased 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan. Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise in a draft-free place for 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until nicely browned.

Remove to a rack to cool slightly.

Combine the 2 tablespoons of melted butter with 3 tablespoons of hot water and 1 teaspoon of vanilla or vanilla bean paste. Stir in powdered sugar, then add a little more hot water to make an icing you can drizzle over the rolls. If too thin, add small amounts of confectioners sugar. Spoon the icing over the warm rolls.