You’ll have noticed that many of my Monday blog babbles are themed around national event days. Well, today is National Hot Cross Bun Day. Hot cross buns were traditionally eaten by Christians on Good Friday to mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the end of Lent. Why they have a national day in September is beyond me.
Hot Cross Bun Timeline
As always, I’m keen to get a few historical bits in for your enjoyment.
- The Greeks have marked cakes with a cross since the 6th Century CE.
- The Christian hot cross bun dates from 14th Century England, when a monk distributed buns marked with a cross to the poor on Good Friday.
- In 1592, Elizabeth I prohibited the sale of all spiced bread products on any day other than Good Friday (or you could have them at a funeral), and this was continued by her successor, James I.
- The Poor Robin’s Almanac in 1733 provides the first official record of the London cry: “Good Friday comes this month, the old woman runs. With one or two a penny hot cross buns”.
- The famous children’s rhyme below appeared in the London Chronicle in June 1767.
“Hot Cross Buns,
Hot Cross Buns,
One ha’penny, Two ha’penny,
Hot Cross Buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your son.
One ha’penny, Two ha’penny,
Hot Cross Buns.”
Note: We used to sing: “One a penny, two a penny” when we were kids.
What is a Hot Cross Bun?
It’s basically a bread roll made with an enriched dough (using butter and eggs), plus spices, raisins, and candied peel. They traditionally made the white cross on the top from short crust pastry, but these days just made from plain flour and water paste, then piped onto the bun.
In the UK, hot cross buns are available all year round. You can buy different varieties, including chocolate, apple, cinnamon, toffee, sourdough, and bacon (urgh, not one for me).
Superstitions
There are a few superstitions surrounding the spiced bread.
One suggests if you make your buns and serve them on Good Friday, they won’t go stale or mouldy for the following 12 months. If you’re feeling unwell, a hot cross bun kept from Good Friday will also help you recover quickly. Hang one in your kitchen to protect from fire and ensure all the bread you bake turns out well. You just have to replace the bun every year. You should also take a bun when you go on a voyage to protect yourself from shipwreck.
Are you a Fan?
I love a hot cross bun. My husband would eat them all year round and he likes them toasted with butter. I don’t mind them toasted, but I can also eat them cold. I’m not a fan of these different flavoured options, though. Give me a traditional bun every day. Do you like hot cross buns, and do you have a favourite variety?
For more historical facts about Easter traditions, check out my blog post.
