Hot cross bun
Homemade hot cross buns | |
| Type | Spiced bun |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | England |
| Main ingredients | Wheat flour, currants or raisins with spices |
A hot cross bun is a spiced bun, usually containing small pieces of raisins and marked with a cross on the top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, India, Pakistan, Malta, United States, Argentina and the Commonwealth Caribbean. They are available all year round in some countries, including the UK.
The bun marks the end of the season of Lent and different elements of the hot cross bun each have a specific meaning, such as the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him and sometimes also orange peel reflecting the bitterness of his time on the cross.