Good Friday Hot Cross Buns
Although it’s not known exactly when or where the tradition of hot cross buns began (though Greece in 200 A.D. seems likely), there is no doubt that hot cross buns took on a life of their own in England. In the city of Chelsea, around 50,000 people would line the streets of the city each Good Friday selling, eating, and sharing these buns with one another. One man, Peter Symonds, even wrote in his will that money from his estate should be used each year to give 60 pennies and a “cross bun” to orphans in the area.
There are also many tall tales that surround these buns… some said a bun baked on Good Friday could remain fresh all year long, others that a bun eaten on Good Friday would cure any sickness. That all sounds pretty silly to me! Regardless of these old traditions, though, one thing is certain: you cannot eat an entire bun yourself! They are meant to be shared with others, so please make sure you give at least part of your bun to someone else. The cross on the bun also reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made on Good Friday, so it's important to acknowledge that as well.
Making the buns
There are a variety of good recipes out there for homemade cross buns, but you can also use Hawaiian rolls, icing, and raisins if you want a simple but still effective "cross bun" taste.
If you're feeling ambitious, here are a few recipes for homemade hot cross buns:
There are also many tall tales that surround these buns… some said a bun baked on Good Friday could remain fresh all year long, others that a bun eaten on Good Friday would cure any sickness. That all sounds pretty silly to me! Regardless of these old traditions, though, one thing is certain: you cannot eat an entire bun yourself! They are meant to be shared with others, so please make sure you give at least part of your bun to someone else. The cross on the bun also reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made on Good Friday, so it's important to acknowledge that as well.
Making the buns
There are a variety of good recipes out there for homemade cross buns, but you can also use Hawaiian rolls, icing, and raisins if you want a simple but still effective "cross bun" taste.
If you're feeling ambitious, here are a few recipes for homemade hot cross buns: