On September 11 we celebrate, National Hot Cross Bun Day a day dedicated to tasty treat, these buns are delicious. A hot cross bun is made from yeast dough and is usually a bit sweet. However, some may even contain spices such as cinnamon along with raisins, currants, or other dried fruits.
Most of us prefer having a hot cross bun for breakfast with a cup of coffee or a glass of warm milk and always with a generous dose of butter. Whether you prefer them fresh from the bakery, toasted with a bit of butter, or even with a creative twist, it’s a perfect opportunity to indulge in this spiced, fruity treat.
History of National Hot Cross Bun Day
Did you know that many stories relate to the origin of the hot cross bun likewise, one story to be believed is that the 13th-century Anglican monk baked these buns to share with others, and marked them with a cross in honour of Good Friday. However, the buns back then might have had a bland taste but they were meant to be shared as a show of friendship and love.
Later in the 16th century, these buns had been introduced to Elizabethan England. Queen Elizabethan decided to keep the buns sacred and a law was passed to limit the sale of the buns to Christmas, funerals, and the Friday before Easter. Eventually, The law was too difficult to enforce and was eventually scrapped. So people of England rejoiced and started baking hot cross buns throughout the year.
Along with this, there is a superstitious belief that people had these buns as medicinal or healing powers. While others people believed that the buns baked on Good Friday would never go stale. Others thought that hot cross buns could ward off evil spirits. Also, some of the few others claimed that the buns protected sailors from shipwrecks while on sea voyages!
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Although the hot cross might have existed before Christianity, these buns have been historically only eaten on Good Friday as a Christian symbol of the crucifixion. So in many places, hot cross buns are now widely sold and eaten practically every day of the year. The superstitions also seem to be fading since these buns are no longer used for any purpose other than having a fill when you are hungry.
| 6th Century A.D. | The Greeks mark their buns with a cross. |
| Early 1600s | James I of England tries to impose restrictions on the sale of these buns. |
| 1733 | Poor Robin’s Almanac records the Hot Cross Bun street cry. |
| 2012 | Buns with the same ingredients but different markings hit the market. |
Classic Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Ingredients
For the Buns:
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp or 7g) active dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (75g) currants or raisins
- 1/4 cup (25g) chopped candied peel (optional)
For the Cross:
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (60ml) water (or as needed)
For the Glaze:
- 1/4 cup (60ml) apricot jam or honey
- 1 tbsp water
How to Make
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and mix the warmed milk, softened butter, and eggs in a separate bowl
- Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Add the currants (and candied peel if using) and knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface after it is porpldy done divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball.
- Place the shaped buns onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Cover the buns with a cloth and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they have doubled in size and mix the flour with enough water to make a thick paste in a bowl.
- Transfer the paste to a piping bag or a plastic bag with the tip cut off, and pipe a cross on top of each bun.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by heating the apricot jam or honey with water until it’s liquid and smooth.
- Brush the glaze over the hot buns as soon as they come out of the oven and allow the buns to cool on a wire rack before serving.
- Enjoy them warm or toasted with a bit of butter.
Source: Times of India
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The British love their bread- British women eat around 76 grams of bread every day while men consume approximately 113 grams a day.
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Bread has many varieties- There are up to 200 varieties of bread.
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Don’t store bread in the fridge- Bread goes stale six times faster in the fridge than at room temperature.
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Bread was used as an eraser- People used soft bread crumbs to erase pencil marks.
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Bread has been to the moon- The first meal consumed on the moon was bread and wine.
National Hot Cross Bun Day on September 11, 2024, presents a delightful opportunity to enjoy and celebrate a beloved baked good that’s often associated with Easter but deserves appreciation year-round. Hot cross buns, with their rich blend of spices, currants or raisins, and distinctive cross on top, offer a comforting taste of tradition and a touch of sweetness that can brighten any day.
Overall, This special day is not just about enjoying a hot cross bun as it’s traditionally prepared but also about exploring variations and modern twists on this classic treat. You might bake them from scratch, try a new recipe that incorporates different ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts, or even experiment with savoury versions. It’s a chance to get creative in the kitchen and share these delicious creations with friends and family.
In addition to enjoying these treats, National Hot Cross Bun Day can serve as an opportunity to reflect on culinary traditions and their evolution over time. It’s a day to appreciate the simple joy of a well-made bun and to connect with others through food. So, whether you’re toasting a bun with butter, making it part of a special meal, or simply savouring one with a cup of tea, this day invites you to celebrate and savour the little pleasures that bring warmth and happiness to your lives.
FAQs
What are hot cross buns?
Hot cross buns are spiced sweet buns made with currants or raisins and marked with a cross on top. They are traditionally flavoured with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and are often served toasted with butter.
Where can I find hot cross buns if I don’t want to bake them myself?
You can easily find hot cross buns at bakeries, supermarkets, or specialty food stores.
Can I make hot cross buns gluten-free or vegan?
Yes, there are gluten-free and vegan recipes available for hot cross buns.
Also, read more about National Toasted Marshmallow Day – August 30, 2024
