Hot Crossed Buns, A Good Friday Tradition.

Hot Crossed Buns, Hot Crossed Buns, one a penny, two a penny, Hot Crossed Buns

Above are the widely known innocent lyrics to a children’s verse about a simple baked good right? Not when you look into the history of the bun for the proof (I could not resist that one!)

Growing up I could always be certain of three things during Easter; I would find more chocolate eggs than my brother and sister and would have to share them equally, we would go to church, and there would be roast lamb for supper. Mum would spend hours in the kitchen lovingly roasting a leg of lamb, steaming veg, magically creating crisp golden roast murphs (potatoes), mint sauce and somehow finding time to make gravy. Come to think of it, I don’t know how she did it, my siblings, pops and I certainly didn’t help!

At this time of the year we start thinking about the festivities that we will be participating in during this holiday season. Food and holidays go hand in hand. We always had ham at Easter but I was jealous of my Orthodox friends who got to roast a whole lamb for Easter dinner. This year I felt like a little lamb so I figured a couple of racks of lamb would do just fine.

The history, folklore and symbolism of Easter breads are as rich as the breads themselves! Easter breads come in various shapes and sizes, and can be laden with cheese, nuts, citrus, cinnamon, saffron and other precious ingredients. They are also sometimes decorated with brightly coloured eggs.