Bermudian Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup warm water (yeast)
• 2 packets dry yeast
• ¼ cup room temp water
• ¼ cup hot water
• ¼ margarine
• 1 tbsp crisco
• ¾ cups + 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup powdered milk
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp allspice
• 1 cup raisins

Instructions

1. 1
   Add 2 packets of yeast to the warm water with a tsp of sugar and let stand for 5 minutes then stir to combine.
2. 2
   Combine the hot water, room temp water, melted margarine and crisco, salt, and sugar. Allow to cool (lukewarm) before adding the yeast mixture.
3. 3
   Blend in the egg.
4. 4
   Sift together the flour, powdered milk, cinnamon, and allspice. Add the flour mixture one cup at a time until fully combined. Add the raisins *optional* and stir to combine.
5. 5
   Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently into a ball before adding the dough to a greased bowl. Allow to rise for 1 hour.
6. 6
   Punch down the dough and separate 12 equal pieces then roll into balls. Add the rolls to a well-greased baking pan and allow to rise for 1 hour.
7. 7
   Make a paste out of flour, water, and sugar and pipe onto the raised dough in the shape of a cross. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, Bake for 15-20 minutes.