Hot Cross Buns - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pkg. dry yeast
1/4 c. water
1 c. milk, scalded
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 c. raisins

Preparation

Use very warm water for yeast.
Sprinkle yeast into water; let stand a few minutes, then stir until dissolved.
Pour hot milk over salt, sugar and shortening to cool to lukewarm.
Add yeast and 2 cups of flour; beat well and let rise about 1/2 hour.
Add egg yolks, then remaining flour mixed with cinnamon.
Add raisins. Knead.
Put in a large, greased bowl.
Brush top of dough with melted butter.
Cover and let rise about 1 1/2 hours.
Shape into small, round buns and place close together in greased pan.
Let rise until doubled in bulk.
With a very sharp knife, cut a cross just through the top surface of each bun.
Bake in preheated oven at 400\u00b0 for 15 minutes.
Brush with melted butter and continue to bake for 5 minutes more.
Cool on a rack.
If desired, brush each bun with a simple frosting made of confectioners sugar, moistened with water.