Recipe
1 1/3 cups milk
1 egg, beaten
1/4 butter
1/3 cup sugar
3 3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 1/4 tsp yeast
3/4 cup raisins
Measure each ingredient and add to the baking pan in order listed.
Select Dough/Pasta setting and press Start.
When cycle is complete remove dough from machine to a lightly floured surface. If necessary, knead in enough flour to make it easy to handle. Divide into 16 – 18 pieces.
Shape each piece into a round, slightly flattened bun. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets or pans.
Cover and let rise for about 3o minutes or double in size.
To create the cross on the buns:
1 cup flour
2 tbsp sugar
3/3 cup water
Mix flour and sugar. Add the water 1 tbsp at a time to make a thick paste. Spoon paste into a piping or Ziplock bag. Pipe a line along each row of buns then repeat in the other direction.
Bake in a pre-heated 350 F oven for 15-18 minutes
Glaze
Combine 2 tbsp warm milk with 2 tbsp sugar
Brush over the buns when they come out of the oven.
Tips
Add candied fruit for a variation.
The flour paste cross can be eliminated. With a sharp knife, make two cuts about 1/4 inch deep on top of each bun to form a cross just before baking.
An alternative glaze, mix 3/4 cup icing sugar with 1 tbsp of milk and 1/4 tsp vanilla or almond flavouring. Drizzle cross with glaze.