A brief history of hot cross buns

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!