A brief history of hot cross buns
Traditionally
eaten on Good Friday in the UK, as well as in other Commonweath countries, a
hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with either currants or raisins. These
delicious treats are marked with icing in the shape of a cross on the top and
are best enjoyed hot or toasted.
Origins
Although they are now associated with the Christian calendar, the tradition behind these buns may date back to ancient Greeks who marked cakes with a cross, although any claims of a connection with the goddess Eostre have no supporting historical evidence.
Forbidden sweets
In the sixteenth century, the London Clerk of Markets forbade the sale of hot cross buns and other spiced breads, except at funerals, on Good Friday or at Christmas.
Superstitions
There are many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns in English folklore including:
Buns baked on Good Friday will not spoil during the subsequent year.
Buns should be kept for medicinal purposes.
Sharing a hot cross bun will ensure friendship in the coming year.
Taking hot cross buns on a sea voyage will protect against shipwreck.
Hanging buns in the kitchen will protect your house against fires.
A wide variety
Nowadays, hot cross buns come in a wider variety of flavours. Major supermarkets in the UK produce variations on the original such as orange, toffee, cranberry, and apple and cinnamon.
At Dunn’s
Bakery, we’re fans of the traditional hot cross bun, with Californian
raisins, and the best quality cinnamon. We bake these treats all year ‘round!
