Hot Cross Buns!

Hot Cross Buns have been a tradition in our family since my husband and I were children (we met in University, but both families had this tradition!). Every Easter was marked by the presence of these delectable treats.

When we moved to Southern California we were SHOCKED to discover these were not an Easter staple down here! And then we discovered the phenomenal treat of our favorite bakery that makes hot cross buns all Lenten season! We have indulged in these for each Easter since we discovered them. However, they tip the scales at $7 a dozen. Our family of three can eat a half dozen for breakfast in one sitting.

So I decided to begin the search for a new recipe. I tried one from Taste of Home that smells delicious! They are cooling and awaiting the glaze.

I only have two problems with the recipe:
1. When you print it off it is so darn small it is almost impossible to read - and I have annoyingly perfect eye sight - my optometrist hates to see me coming! So I missed the egg wash. Oops.

2. It only calls for two kinds of fruit which kind of throws off the symbolism of hot cross buns. So I used 2/3 cup each currants, golden raisins and raisins.

Update - this recipe turned out well, however I changed the glaze by adding 2 tbsp of melted butter and 1/2 tsp of vanilla to the water and then adding the icing - this made for a better icing and more of it! Next time I would use 1/2 cup of sugar in the dough as it needed a bit more sweetness in my opinion. I will definitely make these again.

The Symbolism of Hot Cross Buns

Did you know there is a lot of symbolism in hot cross buns?

A traditional recipe calls for three kinds of fruits to represent the Holy Trinity.

The fruits are in one bun representing how the Holy Trinity is one God.

The buns are covered in a cross as our sins are and when we come to the cross we receive all of God, just like we get all the fruit in the bun.

And of course there is the sweetness of the glaze that makes the cross which I am convinced must be symbolic of the sweetness of the Christian life.