My mother’s recipe, adapted from 1973 flour bag recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. yeast
• 1⁄2 c. warm water
• 1⁄2 c. sugar
• 1⁄4 c. shortening
• 1 c. hot milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1⁄2 tsp. ground allspice
• 1 1⁄2 tsp. salt
• 1 c. currents or raisins
• 1⁄2 c. citron or candied lemon chunks
• 5 c. flour

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water.
2. In another bowl, dissolve sugar & shortening in hot milk.
3. Let Cool, before adding dissolved yeast.
4. Gradually add flour, beaten eggs, and the cinnamon, allspice, salt and fruit.
5. Let dough rise.
6. When ready, punch down the dough and knead dough until elastic, adding more flour as is necessary.
7. Pinch off pieces of dough and shape into balls for buns. Place on greased baking sheet.
8. Make a cross in each bun by cutting 2 slits about 1⁄2 inch deep with scissors or sharp knife.
9. Let rise again for a short time.
10. Brush tops of buns with melted butter.
11. Bake at 375? F for 20 to 25 minutes.
12. When buns are cool, make a simple icing of confectioners sugar, water, and a few drops of (vanilla or almond) flavoring, drizzle across to outline cross.