The History of the Hot Cross Bun
It's that time of year again. The time when Christmas has just passed and hot cross buns have already hit supermarket shelves. Some people fume at the idea of hot cross buns being sold in December while others celebrate the delicious fluffy and fragrant treat. The debate over when hot cross buns should be sold is an ongoing one, but where did they originate and why are they associated with Easter? Keep reading to find out where hot cross buns came from. Where did Hot Cross Buns Come From? Many stories surround the origins of the humble hot cross bun. Some variations date back to ancient Rome, while similar sweet bread appears in Greek, Druid and Phoenician culture. One of the more common theories dates back to the 14th century in St. Albans, England. According to the Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban, an Anglican monk baked sweet buns on Good Friday and distributed them to the poor. The monk, named Brother Thomas Rodcliffe, marked the buns with a cross in honour of ...