One of the many things I look forward to during Easter are the hot cross buns.
Have you ever wondered how hot cross buns came about? And why are they only available during Easter? Is the cross a depiction of the crucifixion? Somehow, I feel “uncomfortable” eating crosses… Here’s the blurb from a Coles Autumn recipe magazine.
“The tradition of eating hot cross buns at Easter has been around for centuries, but as to when it started, no-one knows for sure. It’s believed, though, that spiced fruit buns were baked in England to celebrate many occasions. Then Queen Elizabeth I passed laws in the 16th century restricting the sale of spiced fruit buns to particular days, including Good Friday. The signature crosses were added to the buns in the 18th century to “brand” them as hot cross buns – first with a knife, then with pastry strips as we recognise them today.”
The buns come in four varieties these days.
1) Fruit bun – these are actually raisin-filled or what Aussie’s call sultanas
2) Choc-chip bun – perfect for chocoholics
3) Mocha – hands down my favourite
4) Plain – the boys’ favourite as they always prefer it simple
Plus, there’s the gluten free variety for the coeliacs.
These buns are divine when toasted or heated and lashed with butter.
The hot cross buns only appear after Christmas in supermarket shelves. Then they disappear altogether after Easter. You will not see them again until next year. So be very quick. Put a break on dieting and indulge!
Do you have a unique Easter tradition where you live?
Ariel Giron says
I read some time ago that hot cross buns represented the stone that was rolled away from Jesus’ tomb at Easter. Religious connotations or not, I think they’re magnificent.