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Friday 6 April 2012

"Hot Cross Buns, Hot Cross Buns; One a Penny,Two a Penny, Hot Cross Buns!"



Hot Cross Buns 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!


Hot Cross Buns are a small, spicy bun decorated with a white cross and, although they now appear in the shops at any time of the year, they are mainly to be eaten at Easter to celebrate the religious significance of the resurrection of Christ, following his death on the cross. 

Hot Cross Buns were hawked by streetsellers to the cry of "Hot Cross Buns!" in the nineteenth century.  This particular way of selling wares is demonstrated in the movie "Oliver" , based on the novel by Charles Dickens. 

They are usually eaten (warm obviously!) with butter, but my earliest childhood memories are of my dear dad bringing me a hot cross bun in bed every Good Friday, and the bun would be filled with Devon clotted cream.  Yummy scrummy! If you haven't tried them with clotted cream, then I can highly recommend it. 

For me, eating a Hot Cross Bun on Good Friday morn, marks the nearing of Easter.




The obvious connection between the buns and Good Friday is the cross on the top of the bun, but there is more to the story of the Hot Cross bun. There are two legends that revolve around the association of Hot Cross buns and Good Friday. The first one dates back to the 12th century when a monk baked a batch of buns and placed a cross on them to honor Good Friday and asked everyone to eat only buns for that day.

The second legend is more interesting and touching. This legend tells about an English widow who sent her son to  sea after promising  to make him a batch of Hot Cross Buns every Good Friday. The son never returned but she continued baking the buns and putting them up in the bakery window in the faith that he would come back. After the old widow passed away the villagers kept the tradition going.

Well, after typing this little post, I'm ready for MY Hot Cross Bun - bring on the clotted cream!

If you are travelling to visit family or friends this Easter, I wish you safe travels.  Keep safe and have a lovely time. One of the days, we will be seeing my youngest daughter and her hubby, Eli & Ruby and my daughter's two step-sons, as they will be coming down for a meal, and, of course, we will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden. The family from France won't actually be here for Easter, but they are coming on the 13th April and staying until the 30th, so we're all looking forward to that.

Sending big hugs your way my little bloggy friends.











23 comments:

Shelly said...

What a neat thing to learn about hot cross buns. I've certainly heard of them and seen pictures, but was a little fuzzy on their origin and significance.

I will confess more of my ignorance. What is clotted cream? It must be yummy.

Happy Easter, and enjoy your lovely family!

Sush said...

It's the memories of our parents that keep them alive in our hearts! What a delightful thing of your Father to do for you.
Have a happy Easter and plenty of hot cross buns!

Bet they're more than a penny these days...
Hugs~

Lyndylou said...

Happy Easter to you too and I just love Hot Cross Buns but have never tried them with clotted cream. Guess who is heading out to buy some today...yum!

not displayed said...

I make my own hot cross buns every year. The kids love them and I think i have indulged in 3 today myself

Anonymous said...

Dear Diane, I certainly learned something new today regarding the cross buns. I've seen them but never knew the reason behind them. They are tasty indeed. Enjoy your hot cross buns and have a Happy Easter my friend! Bright blessings x

Eva

Shady Del Knight said...

I hope you've got a belly full of buns by now, dear Thisisme! Pour me a cup of tea in the garden. I'm on my way across the pond to consume a bushel or two myself! (LOL) I enjoyed reading about the origin of hot cross buns. They reminded me that pretzels are also believed to have been invented by monks. One story suggests that an Italian monk created them as "little rewards" for children who learn their prayers. I hope that you, your lovely daughter and her family have a joyous Easter and that you'll take lots of pictures to post. Have a wonderful weekend and holiday, dear friend Thisisme!

icedgurl said...

trekking your blog!!! Yummy buns!

Have a blessed Holy Week...
..TREK..

Linda O'Connell said...

My mother used to love hot cross buns. They don't fill them here, but it sounds delicious. Happy, blessed Easter.

SkippyMom said...

How wonderful to share so much of Easter & the month with your lovely girls & their families. That is so exciting.

I'm preparing my buns as I type this, but alas no clotted cream here. It just never caught on this side of the pond. ;)

I just know you will have the best time on Easter. Good thoughts & lots of hugs to y'all.

Claudia Moser said...

Interesting post! Happy Easter!

Unknown said...

I've never had a hot cross bun but sure want one especially after seeing yours and Trish's down in Australia this morning.
Have a wonderful time with family as we will be doing the same at a family gathering on saturday afternoon.
Happy Easter my sweet friend,
Hugs,
Odie

LindyLouMac said...

My baker, the other half made us Hot X Buns to have this morning as you cannot get them in Italy. Have a peaceful Easter Weekend, hope you are planning to stay away from the computer. xx

Empty Nester said...

I didn't know that story about the widow and her son. So touching! And sad. Of course, now I want a hot cross bun! Wait, do they come gluten free? LOL Hope y'all have a wonderful Easter weekend!

rainbow said...

I have always heard of Hot Cross Buns but have never had one or knew it was for Good Friday. Thanks for all your wonderful information. I am on my way to the Bakery to get two (one for hubby and one for me) Thanks for a new tradition I am starting today.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEKEND AND SPECIAL BLESSED SUNDAY. Have a GREAT time with your family at this special time if year.

rainbow (Momma Lyn)

Suzanne said...

Mmmm...your Hot Cross Buns look scrumptuous. I haven't had that delicacy in years. My mom made them a few times when we were growing up. And, I had no idea of the history...save, I remember the rhyme-'one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns!' Thank you so much for the tea time treat, and Happy Easter holiday Thisisme!

Anonymous said...

My dad is flying in from France on the 10th. I haven't seen him in 5 years. i'm so excited. I didn't know these stories about the hot crossed buns. Actually I've never had a hot crossed bun and I've never had clotted cream. I feel a little cheated. :) Have a wonderful Easter!

Sally Wessely said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful recounting of the history behind hot cross buns. I love hot cross buns. I can only imagine how yummy they would be with clotted cream.

Happy Easter, dear friend. Enjoy your time with family. XO

Teresa said...

happy easter to you! i've heard of the nursery rhyme but never had hot cross buns. they sound delish!

Anonymous said...

Yum, I love hot cross buns. By the way I've moved blogs, you can find me over at http://bornagainboho.blogspot.com
Hope to see you there xxx

tunisian said...

Hello,
i really like your blog
I hope that we will be friend,
me too I have a blog but it's written for a great part in french
have a nice day

Stafford Ray said...

There are four things Christianity brought to the world I regard as valuable. Great architecture, the religious music of Bach, the Salvos and hot cross buns. Note: This list is not necessarily in order of importance. Have a great Easter!

Chatty Crone said...

I just got home, but wanted to wish you a Blessed Easter. sandie

Knitty said...

I had not heard the story about the woman baking them for her son who never returned.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a Blessed Easter.