Hot Cross Buns in England's Easter Tradition

Dept 56, Dickens Village,
"WM. Wheat Cakes and Puddings,"
56.58087

It's almost Easter, and my culinary standards must be slipping.  Instead of imagining the perfect holiday menu, I find myself lingering on thoughts of marshmallow Peeps, chocolate bunnies, Cadbury eggs, jelly beans, and Hershey's kisses wrapped in pastel foils. Not the stuff of a woman of "taste."  And yet, I have a plan..... On Good Friday morning, I am going to my local bakery, where I will stand outside the front door, waiting for it to open.  When it does, I will lean forward, to catch the first whiff.  My nose will absolutely quiver as a warm fragrance wafts out to embrace me, and I will be drawn inexorably in, by the aroma of hot cross buns.Dept 56, W.M. Wheat Cakes & Puddings

Dept 56, Dickens Village,
"Seton Morris Spice Merchant Gift Set"
56.58308

What are Hot Cross Buns?  These are small sweet and spicy bread buns that have been made with yeast, so they will rise.  Hot cross buns typically contain spices such as coriander, cinnamon, caraway seeds, and mace, along with dried fruits like currants, lemon peel, raisins, or sultanas.  Before baking, the buns are first brushed with beaten egg or a sugary glaze, which is why they appear shiny.  Then a sharp knife is used to cut intersecting lines in the form of a cross on top of the bun.  Frequently, but not always, this cross is filled with frosting after baking.Dept. 56 - "Seton Morris Spice Merchant Gift Set

Hot cross buns from
Marks and Spencer.
Picture:  Andrew Twort

Early History of Hot Cross Buns There is much speculation as to the origin of hot cross buns.  They may be derived from a custom in Saxon England, when an ox was sacrificed to the goddess Eastre, who may have been a goddess of dawn or spring or fertility.  The cross would have symbolized the crossed horns of the ox, and in fact, the word 'bun' is probably derived from the Saxon word for 'sacred ox,' which is 'boun.'

Another version of the story is that the bun is divided into four parts, to commemorate the four phases of the moon.  And the relationship to Easter.....?  Well, the lunar calendar is used to determine the date that Easter is to be celebrated each year.  Easter always falls during a specific time or phase, the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.  It is actually more complicated than this,  in part because the Roman churches use a Gregorian calendar and the Eastern Orthodox use a Julian calendar to calculate Easter.  Hence the different churches celebrate Easter on different days.

Dept 56, Dickens Village,
"St. Luke's Church," 808858

Symbolism of Hot Cross Buns Today hot cross buns are firmly associated with the story of Easter.  Steve Jenkins, spokesman for the the Church of England, said, "You have got the bread, as per the communion, you have got the spices that represent the spices Jesus was wrapped in in the tomb, and you have got the cross.  They are fairly full of Christian symbolism." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8598312.stm

Dept 56, Dickens' Village,
"Windsor Castle," 56.58721.
One of Elizabeth I's residences.

Elizabeth I's Influence on Hot Cross Buns!  In the time of Elizabeth I, hot cross buns were eaten year-round.  During the 16th century, however, religious tension between Catholics and Protestants ran high.  Elizabeth, a Protestant, feared that the symbolism of hot cross buns was a little too 'Papist.' In 1592 she signed an edict forbidding the sale of "any spice cakes, buns, biscuits, or other spice bread except it be at burials, on Friday before Easter or at Christmas."  Yes, the Queen of England feared the influence of a sweet bun.  Anyway, from that time on, the relationship between Good Friday and hot cross buns was sealed by law.   www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/8451569/Hot-cross-buns-Warm-soft-and-best-with-butter.html

Dept 56, Dickens Village,
"Boz's Books,"  8055113

Charles Dickens on Hot Cross Buns  Our very own Villager, Charles John Huffam (Boz) Dickens wrote about Easter and then hot cross buns in Vol. 64 of "All the Year Round:"

"Good Friday, as the presumed anniversary of the Crucifixion of our lord, has for centuries been observed with the greatest solemnity throughout the civilized world....Good Friday probably derived its name from God's Friday, though by our Saxon Ancestors it was known as long Friday, on account of the length of the fastings and offices ordained by the primitive Church...."Department 56 Dickens Village Boz's Books

Dept 56, Dickens Village,
"Chelsea Market Fruit Monger
& Cart," 56.58130

Dickens goes on to discuss the brisk sale of hot cross buns at Chelsea's market:

"For a century and a half Chelsea was famous for its special buns, as much as two hundred and fifty pounds having been taken on one Good Friday morning at the Chelsea Bun House.  On Good Friday morning, 1839, nearly a quarter of a million buns were made and sold."  HERITAGE VILLAGE COLLECTION CHELSEA MARKET FRUIT MONGER & CART

www.books.google.com/books?id=TNkRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA370&lpg=PA370&dq=charles+dickens+hot+cross+buns&source=bl&ots=M4W8wRHbsQ&sig=OnH9_RLyXMQMvKffKY_FJiRpw8U&hl=en&ei=rgStTaLMIMrjiAKq4ti-DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false 

Dept 56, Dickens Village,
"Begging for Soul Cakes," 56.58412

Soul Cakes Hot cross buns were normally served during Easter, but a virtually identical bun is called a soul cake, and it was served on All Souls Day, Nov. 2.


www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/8451569/Hot-cross-buns-Warm-soft-and-best-with-butter.html

Dept 56, Dickens Village,
"Golden Swan Bakery, Ann. Edition"
805517

Hot Cross Buns in Contemporary England  Today hot cross buns are among the most popular pastries in England.  Over 114 million hot cross buns are sold there each year.  Between January and Easter, 8 million packs, or 32 million buns, are sold at Marks and Spencer stores alone.  This equals 28% of the total country's consumption during the Easter season.Department 56 Dickens Village Golden Swan Baker - Anniversary Edition
www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/8451569/Hot-cross-buns-Warm-soft-and-best-with-butter.html