Hot Cross Buns: The Holy Week bread

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MANILA, Philippines — Research about what bread to eat specifically for the Holy Week, and Hot Cross Buns would be the first item that appears on the internet. This is because Hot Cross Buns are spiced yeast-leavened round buns that are marked with a cross on top so it is impossible not to associate them with Holy Week.

The crosses are marked using a paste made of mixed flour and water, and the dried fruits and spices — mostly raisins, candied orange peel, currants, cinnamon, and nutmeg — are incorporated into the bread.

While the cross symbolizes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ to save mankind from eternal death, the spices represent the spices that were used to embalm and bury His dead body.

Hot Cross Buns originate from England, but as to exactly when, there is a dispute going on about it. Mentions of spiced buns have been made as early as 1502, but there are no records to show that these spiced buns were Hot Cross Buns. Food historian Ivan Day simply puts it this way: “The buns were made in London during the 18th century. But when you start looking for records earlier than that, you hit nothing.”

These days, Hot Cross Buns are still baked and sold by specialty bakeries and bread makers during Holy Week. While traditionally eaten on Good Friday towards Easter Sunday to mark the end of the Lenten season, they are now eaten on any day of the Holy Week. The Cross remains, but the spices and flavors have also evolved through the years. Chocolate chips and lemon zest are now incorporated into the dough for variation from the traditional Hot Cross Buns.

Over at Flour Pot, Chef Rhea Castro SyCip always brings back the bakery’s Traditional Hot Cross Buns every Resurrection Sunday starting Good Friday until Easter Sunday. People love her Traditional Hot Cross Buns, which are light brioche buns filled with warm spices, orange zest and raisins and then brushed with Mango Passion Fruit Glaze. These are sold at P375 per pan.

Flour Pot has also come up with a variant, which is called Earl Grey Chocolate Hot Cross Buns. These are tea-infused brioche buns with dark chocolate chips, warm spices, orange zest and Earl Grey loose leaf tea incorporated into the bread and then brushed with Mango Passion Fruit Glaze. This variant sells for P450 per pan.

Several other bake houses are also baking up fresh batches of Hot Cross Buns this weekend.

RELATED: Messe Fries with Tzatziki Sauce for Holy Week