This is a homemade hot cross buns recipe from Mary Hannnah Aston (nee Pugsley), Nana’s Grandmother. You can see Mary Hannah in the below photo that was taken for the family Christmas Card (c 1912). She is in the center holding an infant. Nana’s mother Harriet is located in the back row, back right corner. The Aston’s lived in Wales, UK and the recipe is dated circa 1898.

Grandma Aston’s Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup of flour
½ cup lukewarm water
2 oz of currants
1 pkg of yeast
1 cup milk
2 oz of margarine
1 egg beaten
2 oz of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 oz mixed peel
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp mixed spices

Directions

Rub margarine in flour, salt and dry ingredients. Add fruit. Put ½ cup of lukewarm water, 2 oz sugar in a dish and add the yeast; let rise. Warm milk and add HALF of the milk to the flour mixture. Then add the yeast and egg. Add enough milk to make soft dough. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until dough is double in size (about 1 hour). Turn onto floured boards and knead well for five minutes. Form into 16 buns and put on greased sheet and make a cross on top. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes in a warm place. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes and brush with the
glaze of water and sugar.