Hot Cross Buns

The hot cross bun is an Easter tradition that is especially associated with Britain, although it has spread elsewhere. In the nineteenth century they were sold by street vendors who were so commonplace that they inspired a song which has now become a children's nursery 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
One a penny, two a penny
Hot cross buns

What Is A Hot Cross Bun?

There are, of course, many forms of Easter bun. The term "Hot Cross Bun" refers specifically to a sweet, mildly spiced bun containing currants. Its name comes from the cross in the top that divides it into quarters.

Sometimes the cross was simply cut into the top, however more expensive hot cross buns - and almost all those you can buy today - have the cross added to the top with some form of icing.

It is possible that this difference between basic and iced buns was responsible for the different prices - "one a penny, two a penny" - in the nursery rhyme.

History

Buns have long been associated with holy festivals, as have crosses of various sorts. The symbolism of an equal-armed cross is often associated with the "four corners" of the world or the ancient elements.

Of particular interest is the ancient Greek bous, a bun with "horns" given as an offering to the gods. The circular bun was said to represent the moon with the cross dividing it into its quarters.

These buns were also said to never go off - since none have survived we can probably assume that was an exaggeration!

To modern Christians, the bun represents the cross and the crucifixion of Christ. The earliest known reference to such a bun in written English is from "Poor Robin's Almanac" in 1733. These became "Hot" Cross Buns in the early 19th century.

Traditionally these buns were eaten on Good Friday. Now, of course, we can buy and enjoy them all year round - which seems to rather defeat the point.

Site Information