Hot Cross Buns

Here is another recipe for you to drool over. Since I'm not making these myself and I don't have any pictures to use, I'm just going to give you two different links for the recipe. I have never made hot crossed buns in my life so I have no idea if they are tasty or not...but they really look good. :-)

So recipe 1 HERE  or recipe 2 Here
You can choose which recipe sounds better to you.

It's actually the tradition of hot cross buns that appeals to me. I am a sucker for traditions. :-)

This buns are traditionally made for Good Friday. In fact, I don't think you can find them any other time of the year but Easter time. I don't know if I've ever seen them being sold in the stores over here in the States, but in the UK they are a big deal.

It's hard to find out the origin of this tradition but from what I've read, it wasn't always associated with Easter. Their origins lie in pagan tradition. During early missionary efforts, the cross on top of the bun, which used to stand for the quarters of the moon, symbolised instead, the Crucifixion of Our Lord. In the year 1321, Father Thomas Rockcliffe began the tradition of giving the buns to the poor on Good Friday. As time went on, different traditions and superstitions grew up around the buns. It was fervently believed that the buns were a strong protection against sickness.
In the 16th century during the persecution of the Catholics, Queen Elizabeth banned the making and consumption of hot cross buns except for such occasions as Easter, Christmas and, ahem...funerals. Ah-well.

Anyway, I am hoping to try hot cross buns myself. Whether I make them for Good Friday or Easter I have yet to decide. They seem rather nice for Good Friday! I'm not sure about the raisins in the recipe...I might put them in but I might not. Raisins are sometimes overwhelming.

God Bless,
Amy