So much tastier than store bought ones — try it for yourself!
There’s still time to make something special for Good Friday and Easter. These pastries were easy to find when I lived near Chicago. In Appalachia, it’s easier to make them myself.
The link includes a recipe and a bit of cross-pastry history. 🙂 Have a blessed holiday!!
I didn’t realize this until doing this food story, but cross-related breads made all over the world are often loaded with spices and bitter elements such as orange zest. The bitter represents the sorrow of the cross, the spices are a nod to the ones used for Jesus’s burial.
A longtime journalist, Nora Edinger also blogs and writes books. Her Christian chick lit and faith-related non-fiction are available on Amazon and on this site. She lives in Appalachia with her family and a goodish puppy named Finn.
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19 thoughts on “Hot Cross Buns”
My mother always made hot cross buns, but they were very dry.
Nora, as soon as I read the title my mind immediately went to the nursery rhyme. Your article expanded my knowledge from the nursery rhyme level to the religious history of the bun. It’s fascinating how certain foods are associated with different religious holidays. In my Pennsylvania Dutch hometown, Shrove Tuesday was fastnacht day. The teachers of our Mennonite school would treat us to special donuts made only once of year on that day to mark the beginning of Lent the next day. I can’t find fastnachts here in Virginia but I can find hot cross buns. Maybe I need to consider making them a part of our Easter tradition.
Another treat I can’t seem to find anymore is a butter lamb. In the Chicago area, they were sold — at least during my childhood — in all the stores. All they were was butter pressed into a lamb-shaped mold, but they were so cute. Have a blessed holiday weekend!!
I live in Cincinnati, a historically German Catholic town, so hot cross buns are everywhere during this season. I’ve also developed a serious crush on schnecken!
Thanks Nora for visiting my blog. Belated happy Easter. Not had hot cross buns for years but they are always in the shops at Easter time. These look extra special .
Auntie Susie, my mums sister used to make home made soda bread and mark the filling on top with a cross before putting in the big round black lidded pot..
Nora Edinger -- JOY Journal 
My mother always made hot cross buns, but they were very dry.
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🙂 These are pretty moist — and that’s with the non-dairy version. I ate them plain, but I’d bet they’d be really good with marmalade!!
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Most things are good with marmalade!
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So true! Have a blessed Easter!
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You, too, Nora!
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Thank you for the buns you made me. I forgot all about them. They were delicious!!!
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You’re welcome!! I hadn’t made these in years. It was fun. 🙂
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I didn’t know this about the bitter elements! Thanks for the information.
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Nora, as soon as I read the title my mind immediately went to the nursery rhyme. Your article expanded my knowledge from the nursery rhyme level to the religious history of the bun. It’s fascinating how certain foods are associated with different religious holidays. In my Pennsylvania Dutch hometown, Shrove Tuesday was fastnacht day. The teachers of our Mennonite school would treat us to special donuts made only once of year on that day to mark the beginning of Lent the next day. I can’t find fastnachts here in Virginia but I can find hot cross buns. Maybe I need to consider making them a part of our Easter tradition.
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Mmmm. Those donuts sound wonderful!
Another treat I can’t seem to find anymore is a butter lamb. In the Chicago area, they were sold — at least during my childhood — in all the stores. All they were was butter pressed into a lamb-shaped mold, but they were so cute. Have a blessed holiday weekend!!
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Sounds yummy! And very interesting bit of information in the picture caption!
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🙂 Thanks! Have a blessed week!
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I live in Cincinnati, a historically German Catholic town, so hot cross buns are everywhere during this season. I’ve also developed a serious crush on schnecken!
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🙂 Had to look schnecken up, but it’s clearly something to love!
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Tasty recipe of buns thanks for sharing 😊👍
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🙂 You’re welcome. Thanks for reading!
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It’s all my pleasure stay blessed ❣️💕
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Sounds good and tasty.🌝
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Thanks Nora for visiting my blog. Belated happy Easter. Not had hot cross buns for years but they are always in the shops at Easter time. These look extra special .
Auntie Susie, my mums sister used to make home made soda bread and mark the filling on top with a cross before putting in the big round black lidded pot..
LikeLiked by 1 person