How do you make a hot cross bun?
Pour hot water down a rabbit hole.
...is said to have invented them
The legend has it that Thomas Rodcliffe, a Benedictine monk from St. Alban's Abbey, invented the hot cross bun in the 14th century. He called it an Alban Bun.
Sadly, the Greeks marked sweet buns with a cross from at least the 6th century. They are a Christian symbol of Good Friday and the end of Lent.
Queen Elizabeth I of England made it illegal to sell them except on Good Friday itself. The penalty was confiscation of the buns and distribution to the poor.
The first to sing the rhyme
The nursery rhyme started life as a London Street cry:
'One a penny, two a penny, hot cross-buns;
If you’ve no daughters, give them to your sons'
In the 18th century, lots of things were sold from baskets in the street. Muffins, Hot Cross Buns, Chickens, Clothes Lines, Oranges, Coffee, Water...
Hot Cross Buns
Everywhere that Christians follow their faith, you can find Hot Cross Buns, or similar sweet treats. In the Czech Republic, mazanec is made, and in Australia, Not Cross Buns are available from Boxing Day.
There are many superstitions about them. They will not grow mouldy all year if baked on Good Friday, and will protect the kitchen from fire. Sailors say they will protect from shipwreck. I say they're nice split and toasted with butter.
It's so easy to play Hot Cross Buns on Soundbops that a bunny could do it!
Images: Jasmine Waheed, Waranya Moolde, William Navarro, Unsplash, WikiCommons
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