Friday, April 6, 2012

Hot Cross Bun Day!

I took a photo of a hot cross bun a few years ago... I know, weird, but it looked so yummy.
(Although not as yummy as the one in the photo later in this post!)

Today is Good Friday, the official hot cross bun day. The little breads with the icing crosses are traditionally eaten today, despite the fact that they have been in bakeries and grocery stores for weeks now.

There are a lot of fun little facts associated with hot cross buns:
  • Some historians believe the buns were part of pagan festivals. The round shape represents the moon, while the cross was sliced on top to divide it into four sections, representing the four seasons of the year.
  • The icing cross was believed to be added by monks and gave Christian meaning to the tradition. Many historians believe the first hot cross buns were created in the 14th century at an English abbey. A monk made small spiced cakes and stamped them with a cross. The cakes were given to the poor who visited the abbey on Good Friday.
  • Buns and cakes baked on Good Friday are believed to have magical powers. Bread baked on Good Friday is also believed to never mold.
And, of course, remember this little rhyme?


Hot cross buns,
Hot cross buns,
One a penny,
Two a penny,
Hot cross buns.
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons.
Hot cross buns,
Hot cross buns!


When I was a little girl, it was definitely an Easter tradition to have a few hot cross buns before they disappeared. I try to share this tradition with my own little girl, although the bakery where I liked to buy them recently closed.

The Pioneer Woman's hot cross buns
I have never actually attempted to make my own, although the Pioneer Woman has a recipe to make them at home. (I love Pioneer Woman, don't you?)

So if you have a moment today, search out a hot cross bun or two. Or pick some up for Easter breakfast.

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