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1
Preheat oven to very hot 425u00b0F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
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2
Sift the flour into a large bowl, then add the butter. Using fingertips, lightly rub in 2 tbsp butter until it is well combined. Stir in the raisins and 2 tbsp sugar.
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3
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and egg. Reserve 1 tbsp of mixture and pour remainder into the well. Using a palette knife, quickly mix to create a soft, sticky dough. Do not over-mix.
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4
Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly. Break the dough into 9 even-sized pieces, and roll into narrow buns about 4 inches long.
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5
Place the buns close together on the prepared tray. Brush with the reserved milk mixture and bake for 12-15 mins, until the buns sound hollow when tapped.
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6
Remove from the oven. In a small dish, combine 1 tbsp just-boiled water and 1 tbsp sugar and brush over the buns. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
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7
To make the icing: combine the powdered sugar, water and 1 tsp butter in a bowl. Add the food coloring, as desired, and mix well. Spread a strip down the centre of each bun. Serve.
