One A Penny, Two A Penny

I know ... I know ..... the mighty Hot Cross Bun is traditional fayre for a Good Friday (with the cross standing as a symbol of the Crucifixion), but I was holding off until I arrived back in Pocklington for a mother/daughter baking session. Great teamwork paid off ..... and thanks to Mum's measuring and my kneeding, these homemade buns turned out beautifully and we spent the rest of the day beaming with pride and all parties licking their lips!

They are believed by some to pre-date Christianity, although the first recorded use of the term "hot cross bun" was not until 1733. It is believed that buns marked with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eostre (the cross is thought to have symbolised the four quarters of the moon) and "Eostre" is probably the origin of the name "Easter". Others claim that the Greeks marked cakes with a cross, much earlier.

Protestant English monarchs saw the buns as a dangerous hold-over of Catholic belief in England, being baked from the dough used in making the communion wafer. Protestant England attempted to ban the sale of the buns by bakers but they were too popular, and instead Elizabeth I passed a law permitting bakeries to sell them, but only at Easter and Christmas.

English folklore includes many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. One of them says that buns baked and served on Good Friday will not spoil or become mouldy during the subsequent year. Another encourages keeping such a bun for medicinal purposes. A piece of it given to someone who is ill is said to help them recover and maybe this rings true as I started the weekend with a terrible sore throat and having enjoyed two of my buns since, I'm starting to feel better already!

Sharing a hot cross bun with another is supposed to ensure friendship throughout the coming year, particularly if "Half for you and half for me, Between us two shall goodwill be" is said at the time. Because of the cross on the buns, some say they should be kissed before being eaten. If taken on a sea voyage, hot cross buns are said to protect against shipwreck. If hung in the kitchen, they are said to protect against fires and ensure that all breads turn out perfectly.

All I know is that they're mighty fine .... a particular favourite of mine!! :o)