What is a Hot Cross Bun?

What are hot cross buns? What are they made of and why are they eaten at Easter?

Freshly made Hot Cross Buns on a cooling rack

Hot cross buns are sweet, spiced bread buns, usually made of fruits, with a cross on the top and traditionally eaten on Good Friday. Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Christ and his death in Calvary. 

Golden glazed Hot Cross buns

Why do they call them hot cross buns?

The crossed buns mark the end of Christian Lent, and different parts of the hot cross bun have specific meanings. For example, some recipes also include orange peel to reflect the bitterness of Jesus's time on the cross, and the cross itself is meant to represent the crucifixion of Jesus, also the spices inside the buns are meant to represent the spices used to preserve, treat or embalm Jesus at his funeral. Also these sweet buns taste best served hot hence the name "hot cross buns".

What do hot cross buns taste like?

What's the taste of a hot cross bun? Slightly sweet, these bread buns contain ground spices, grated orange peel, and currants. It has a warm and spicy taste with a hint of citrus. The included sugar crosses provide another sweet touch.

How many calories are in a hot cross bun?

Traditional hot cross bun recipes contain around 280 calories per bun. Adding butter and jam will add even more calories. If you're looking at your calorie intake, skip the extra fillings and just enjoy this warm spiced bread.

Hot Cross Buns
Perfect hot cross buns for Easter. These buns are airy, fruity, and lightly spiced and have a beautiful sticky glaze too.
Check out this recipe
glazed Hot Cross buns