Hot Cross Buns
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23404)
United Kingdom
April 10, 2020 6:34am CST
Good day to my lotters. So today is Good Friday and traditionally here in the UK we eat Hot Cross buns at some point during the day. They can be warmed or toasted but are served with lashings of butter.
They have been around since the 1300's when a monk in St. Albans in the United kingdom baked them to give to the poor. He made a cross on them to signify the death of Christ on the cross and the spices in the bun were to represent the spices used to embalm the body of christ.
Today they are sold year round but we do not usually by them until holy week and have them toasted for breakfast. The type we have this year are with sultanas, spices and apple in them. They are lovely toasted or slightly warmed.
Do you eat hot cross buns?
29 people like this
29 responses
@LadyDuck (471272)
• Switzerland
10 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 I have found some recipes and they seem really easy to make. They will be on our Easter table for sure.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
You would be able to make them with your eyes shut and one hand behind your back. They are easy to make Anna
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
@LadyDuck Much nicer than an Easter Egg too Anna!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
I am surprised knowing how big the Philippines are with Easter celebrations and parades and the crucifixions! I guess that has all been put on hold this year!
2 people like this
@kokoks (466)
• Philippines
10 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 maybe it's called differently here, I'm not sure. We just like to avoid meat during Good Friday.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47256)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
10 Apr 20
I've had really good ones from a bakery and really awful ones (mass produced) that no amount of toasting and butter could improve. I haven't had any in a while.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47256)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
10 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 Marks and Sparks closed their stores over here some years ago.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
@BarBaraPrz Oh dear that is a shame. They have also closed them around Europe too!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
We got ours from Marks and Spencers which are always lovely!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
10 Apr 20
i have had buns that are hot and not angry. But an upset bun that has been crossed makes me nervous!
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
And so you should be nervous of a couple of upset buns! 
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
10 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 i should be, sometimes buns have tempers!
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@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
10 Apr 20
I only heard about them today and they look good
4 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
They are sweet but spicy and quite tasty I think you might like them!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
Yes you are right!
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!
No traditionally a cross was cut in the buns but now it is just a paste of flour and water which is rolled and placed on top of the bun before it is cooked!
1 person likes this
@much2say (55512)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 For only pennies, I would be buying so many of them 
(for a while there it was difficult to find any sort of bread in our stores) . . . and I have both a daughter and a son .
Ah, a decorative touch - but fitting for Good Friday.
(for a while there it was difficult to find any sort of bread in our stores) . . . and I have both a daughter and a son .
Ah, a decorative touch - but fitting for Good Friday.2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
M&S do exceedingly good Hot Cross Buns! NO Mr Kipling though! Flour that is as evasive as toilet paper!
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
10 Apr 20
@garymarsh6 And eggs!! I think the whole world is baking at the moment.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
We stick with our traditions Judy! They are quite tasty a bit like toasted tea cakes!
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@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
Off you trot to the bakers! Oops I forgot you can't!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
You sound like my daughter she picks all the sultanas out before she will eat them!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
10 Apr 20
I guess loosely you say they were like cinnamon buns with sultanas in them and a cross on the top without any icing!
1 person likes this
@isweartokira (3460)
• United States
11 Apr 20
I learned how to play Hot Cross Buns on the recorder as a kid, but I've never actually eaten them. they look so fluffy and appetizing 
2 people like this
@isweartokira (3460)
• United States
11 Apr 20
@agwira18 I don't know of anywhere near me that sells them. but sure I'll keep an eye out
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
10 Apr 20
You learned me something. I didn't know hot cross buns was a tradition in the UK.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
10 Apr 20
@garymarsh6
I have heard of them, but, not so sure what is in them. No bread here till the end of next week. We eat matza which is unleavened bread for one week for our holiday of Passover. It started Wednesday night and will be over next Wednesday night.
2 people like this
