Place sugar, raisins and butter in a large bowl. Add boiling water and leave until butter melts.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, dissolve a 1/4 teaspoon sugar in the lukewarm water. Sprinkle yeast on top and leave 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.

Add yeast to the other ingredients and mix to combine.

Add 2 cups flour and mix until you have a shaggy dough.

Add the remaining flour, a little at a time, until you have a soft and elastic dough. Knead well for 5 minutes.

Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and a clean kitchen towel. Leave to rise for about 1 hour until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and spray with non stick spray.

Shape dough into a round and place on the cookie sheet. Cover with a towel and leave to rise for 30 minutes.

Brush the top with milk and bake for 30 minutes.

Reduce oven to 350 F. Bake for another 15 - 30 minutes, until it sounds hollow when tapped.