Hot Cross Buns

[petal]

Hot Cross Buns

The exchange and consumptions of treats for Easter goes back hundreds of years, mainly believed to have begun with the tradition of Hot Cross Buns. Hot Cross Buns became the traditional breakfast of Good Friday and became a Christian tradition as well. But Hot Cross Buns were not always associated with Christianity. Their origins lie in pagan traditions of ancient cultures, with the cross representing the four quarters of the moon. During early missionary efforts, the Christian church adopted the buns and re-interpreted the icing cross. In 1361, a monk named Father Thomas Rockcliffe began a tradition of giving Hot Cross Buns to the poor of St Albans on Good Friday.
In years that followed, many customs, traditions, superstitions, and claims of healing and protection from evil were associated with the buns. In the 16th century, Roman Catholicism was banned in England, but the popularity of Hot Cross buns continued. Queen Elizabeth I passed a law banning the consumption of Hot Cross Buns except during festivals such as Easter, Christmas and funerals. From then on, Hot Cross Buns became the ?Marshmallow Peeps” of their time.

Hot cross buns
Hot cross buns
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot cross buns
If you have no daughters
Give them to your sons
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot cross buns

That nursery rhyme was born from the original cries of the English street sellers who would advertise their wares by crying out ?Hot Cross Buns, Hot Cross Buns?.
Another treat that became a well known part of early Easter tradition was the baked pretzel. Although, most of its manifestations were not ?sweet?; this baked food also became a symbol of Easter goodness. Its very design, consisting of twists, was seen to resemble arms that were crossed in prayer.
The tradition of these ?treats?, which were tied directly with the religious aspects of Easter, continued on through the years. But in the early 1800's, fans of Easter sought to up the ante. It was then that Chocolate would find its way into this sacred holiday.