About Easter

Hot Cross Bun

Hot cross buns

A hot cross bun is a type of sweet spiced bun made with currants and leavened with yeast. It has a cross on the top which might be made in a variety of ways: it could be pastry, made from a simple flour and water mixture, cut from rice paper and glazed onto the bun, or simply cut into the bun itself.

In many historically Christian countries, the buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of Christ. They are believed by some to pre-date Christianity, however, being used in rituals in paganism, though there is no original source and the first recorded use of the phrase is not until 1733. Another urban myth is that the Christian church in England attempted to ban them, but they were too popular, and instead Elizabeth I passed a law permitting their consumption, but only on particular religious occasions such as Easter and Christmas.

In Australia recently a chocolate version of the bun has become popular. They generally contain the same mixture of spices but cocoa is added to the dough and chocolate chips are used instead of currants. This is most likely due to the close association between Easter and chocolate.

Around Easter 2003, the Daily Telegraph among other newspapers, reported that several local authorities in England (in particular Tower Hamlets Borough Council) had banned schools serving hot cross buns on the grounds of political correctness, believing the symbol of the cross could be offensive to non-Christians. This step was widely condemned, most vocally by Ann Widdecombe. As one of the cited councils, that of the City of York, issued a statement making clear that while the buns were not being served, this was for "no particular reason", and accusing the newspaper's reporter of bad faith, the veracity of the entire report was questioned.

The Old Bunn House in Pimlico, London is mentioned by Swift in his Journal to Stella (1712) was a favorite of both George II and George III. This house, while quite a popular establishment in the 19th century, no longer stands.

Music

"Hot cross buns" is also a simple song for teaching basic notes for learning various instruments.

The song goes: "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"

The alternative lyrics are,

"Hot cross buns, One a penny buns, One a penny, Two a penny, Hot cross buns.

Fresh, sweet buns, Come and buy my buns, One a penny, Two a penny, Fresh, sweet buns.

Nice, light buns, Buy my currant buns, Come and try them, Then you'll buy them, Nice, light buns"

External links

• Recipe for hot cross buns
• "Hot cross banned: councils decree buns could be 'offensive' to non-Christians" (Daily Telegraph article)
• Rebuttal issued by City of York Council on the claim relating to them in the Telegraph's story
• A history of hot cross buns
• An alternative Hot Cross Bun recipe and related information
• A Short Sweet History of the Hot Cross Bun

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