Good Friday Delicacies: Hot Cross Buns and Where to Find Them in India

By



Good Friday, observed during the Holy Week leading up to Easter, is a solemn day for Christians across the globe. While it's marked by prayer and reflection, traditional foods also play a meaningful role in the day’s observance. Among the most iconic Good Friday delicacies is the Hot Cross Bun—a sweet, spiced bread roll marked with a symbolic cross on top.

The History Behind Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns have a rich cultural and religious significance. Traditionally made on Good Friday, these soft buns are spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, studded with raisins or currants, and topped with a flour-paste cross. The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus, while the spices are said to represent the spices used during his burial.

Other Good Friday Delicacies Around the World

While Hot Cross Buns are the star, other countries also have unique Good Friday recipes:

  • Italy: Pane di Pasqua (Easter bread with eggs)

  • Spain: Torrijas (similar to French toast)

  • Philippines: Binignit (sweet stew of fruits, root crops, and coconut milk)

  • India: Various regions prepare fish curries, veg stews, and coconut-based sweets—especially in Goa, Kerala, and the Northeast.

Where to Buy Hot Cross Buns in India

Thanks to India’s diverse Christian communities and growing interest in international cuisines, Hot Cross Buns are increasingly available in major cities—especially around Easter.

1. Artisan Bakeries & Cafés

  • Theobroma (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune)

  • Smoor Chocolates & Patisserie (Bangalore, Mumbai)

  • Artisan’s Lab (Delhi NCR)

  • Glen’s Bakehouse (Bangalore)

  • Wenger’s Deli (Delhi)

2. Local Bakeries in Christian Communities

  • Panjim Bakeries in Goa

  • Thom’s Bakery (Bangalore)

  • Spencers Daily (Chennai)

  • Kottaram Bakery (Kochi)

3. Online Delivery Platforms

  • Zomato and Swiggy (search for "Hot Cross Buns" around Easter)

  • Bakingo, The Baker’s Dozen, and Amazon Fresh (seasonal stock)

  • Instagram Bakers: Many home bakers offer customized Easter boxes

🧁 Recipe: How to Make Hot Cross Buns at Home

Here’s a simple and delicious homemade Hot Cross Buns recipe you can try this Good Friday!

Ingredients

For the buns:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 packet (7g) instant dry yeast

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • 1 tsp cinnamon powder

  • ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 cup warm milk

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 egg (or flaxseed egg for a vegetarian version)

  • ¾ cup raisins or currants

For the cross paste:

  • ½ cup flour

  • 5–6 tbsp water (to form a thick paste)

For the glaze:

  • 2 tbsp apricot jam or honey (warmed)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In warm milk, dissolve 1 tbsp sugar and add yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

  2. Make the dough: In a bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, remaining sugar, and salt. Add yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix to form a soft dough. Add raisins.

  3. Knead & rise: Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 hours or until doubled.

  4. Shape the buns: Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Shape into balls and place on a greased baking tray with a little gap between each.

  5. Second rise: Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.

  6. Make the cross: Mix flour and water to a thick paste. Pipe a cross over each bun using a piping bag or ziplock with the tip cut.

  7. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.

  8. Glaze: While still warm, brush with apricot jam or honey for a beautiful sheen.

✨ Serving Suggestion

Serve warm with a pat of butter or enjoy with your evening tea. These buns stay fresh for 2–3 days and can be lightly toasted before serving.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re observing Good Friday for religious reasons or simply enjoying the cultural richness of the season, Hot Cross Buns offer a comforting connection to centuries-old tradition. And now, you can either grab them from a local bakery or bake a batch yourself and share with family.

Wishing you peace, warmth, and sweetness this Good Friday. 🙏




Hello! I’m Kavya, an aspiring blogger with a passion for sharing thoughts that matter. I don’t limit myself to a single niche—I explore a wide range of topics including social issues, current events, and lifestyle. My blog is a space where curiosity meets creativity, and every post is a step towards meaningful conversations.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragmented Thoughts 1: Wearing my comfort, no apologies!

By
Image
Struggling to fit into fashion trends? Here's my heartfelt take on choosing comfort over societal expectations when it comes to dressing up. Be yourself unapologetically! Dressing Up Is Fun — But Not Always Dressing up has always been seen as fun and exciting. But for me, it wasn’t always that simple. Right from childhood, I struggled with fitting into the "expected" way of dressing — whether it was at school, college, events, parties, trips, or even at work. There was always a silent (and sometimes loud) pressure to wear clothes in a way that pleased others. Trends, flattering fits, or styles that fit the "vibe" of a group were the norm. And when I tried to keep up with these expectations, it only led me to feel uncomfortable and disconnected from myself. I vividly remember attending a friends' meet where a friend casually suggested I wear something more "Western" to blend in. Another time, I was called out for wearing a simple kurta to a movie. ...
Read more

How Women Drone Pilots Are Revolutionizing Indian Agriculture

By
Image
  Introduction: In a recent Instagram post, Bill Gates shone a spotlight on a group of women who are quietly revolutionizing Indian agriculture—women drone pilots. These trailblazers are not only breaking gender barriers but also using cutting-edge technology to address some of the biggest challenges in farming. From precision crop monitoring to efficient pesticide spraying, drones are transforming the way India grows its food, and women are at the forefront of this change. The Rise of Women Drone Pilots in India: Traditionally, agriculture and technology have been male-dominated fields in India. However, initiatives like the  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation  and government programs are empowering women to take on new roles. Women from rural areas are now training as drone pilots, using their skills to improve farming practices and boost productivity. One such inspiring story is that of  Priya Sharma , a young woman from Maharashtra who became a drone pilot to he...
Read more

The Illusion of Settled: Chasing Luxury, Losing Life

By
Image
  We live in a society that often equates "settled" with a checklist of materialistic achievements: the high-paying job, the fancy car, the sprawling apartment in a prime location. We're bombarded with images of seemingly successful individuals, draped in luxury, leading lives that appear enviable. The narrative sold to us is that these external markers are the ultimate indicators of a life well-lived, a life where one has "made it." But scratch beneath the surface of this glossy veneer, and a different reality often emerges. Many who seemingly possess these symbols of success find themselves trapped in a gilded cage. The high-paying job comes with relentless pressure, demanding long hours and constant availability, leaving little room for personal pursuits or simply breathing. The luxury items are often financed by hefty loans, creating a constant undercurrent of financial stress and the fear of losing it all. The very pursuit of this definition of "settle...
Read more