Ingredients: Gather 4 cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 packet of active dry yeast, 1 cup of warm milk, ¼ cup of melted butter
1 beaten egg, ½ cup of currants or raisins, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves.
Proof the Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and beaten egg. Stir until a dough forms.
Knead and Rise: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
Shape and Bake: Punch down the risen dough and knead in the currants or raisins. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape each into a ball. Place the balls on a greased baking sheet, cover them, and let them rise again for 30-45 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cross and Bake: Mix ½ cup of flour with 3-4 tablespoons of water to make a paste. Pipe crosses onto the buns. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
While the buns are still warm, brush them with a simple syrup made of equal parts water and sugar, boiled until sugar dissolves. Serve warm and enjoy!