With Lent now underway in many Christian countries, following the tradtional pancakes eaten on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) before Ash Wednesday as the begining of the 40 day Lent, buns are traditionally eaten hot or toasted during Lent through to Good Friday. The cross on the buns rperesents the symbol of the Crucifixion. The first known use of the term “hot cross bun” was not until 1733.
Some historians think that buns marked with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eostre (the cross is thought to have symbolised the four quarters of the moon);[2] “Eostre” is probably the origin of the name “Easter”. Further claims are that the Greek Orhodox Church marked cakes with a cross, much earlier.
In the times of Elizabeth I of England (1592), the London Clerk of Markets issued a decree forbidding the sale of hot cross buns and other spiced breads, except at burials, on Good Friday, or at Christmas. The punishment for transgressing the decree was forfeiture of all the forbidden product to the poor. As a result of this decree, hot cross buns at the time were primarily made in home kitchens. Further attempts to suppress the sale of these items took place during the reign of James VI (1603-1625)
There is a popular nursery rhyme about the selling of hot cross buns
We had our first hot cross buns this Sunday morrning for breakfast and yummy they were:-) They were made from a special recipe of top chef Heston Blumenthal for Waittrose supermarket chain. The pastry contained Earl grey tea flavour with manderin orange and raisins. The buns are heated in the oven at 180c for 10 minutes then buttered to melt!
Our Delicious breakfast hot cross buns today (Heston Blumethal recipe)
It was really delicious. Warmed in the oven then liberally buttered. It was so good, I was so glad we bought a few packs from Waitrose.