Nana Buns

My grandma would make these all the time and this tradition has been passed down to my mom, aka Nana. A family recipe if there ever was one. I never remember where I store the recipe and have had it sent to me no less than 5 times.

8 cups flour (Robin Hood really is best)                                 
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3 tsp. salt
2 tbsp instant yeast
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cloves
1 cup raisins
1 bottle maraschino cherries cut in quarters
Mix above ingredients in a large bowl.
Heat to very hot the following. My rule of thumb is hot enough that you can still put your finger in it but hot enough that you really don't want to leave it in long
1/2 cup Crisco oil
1 cup skim milk powder
3 1/2 cups water

Add hot mixture to dry all at one and stir well
Add 3 eggs, well beaten to dough
Stir dough well, adding in extra flour (probably another 2 cups at least) until mixture is easy to knead. Knead for 10 to 15 minutes. Let rise in warm place for 10 min.
Shape into buns (about 40 large). I weigh my buns and have found 2.5 oz. of dough works best for me. If you don't have a scale, slightly bigger than a golf ball but smaller than a tangerine.
Let rise at least an hour in a warm location. I usually leave them longer, closer to 1 1/2 hrs.

Back at 375 for about 15 minutes. If you want a glossy looking top, brush with milk as they come out of the oven.

Now that your entire house smells amazing break into one of these mouthwatering buns, slather it with butter and enjoy it with a nice coffee. I have goosebumps.