HOT cross buns have been a staple at Easter for so long now their history is a little unclear with most people only aware of the often-absurdly-early timing of their arrival in supermarkets and the various derivative versions now offered.

Although the baking of buns with a cross symbol may go back to first century Greek pagan roots, by the end of the Medieval period it became common for Christian monks to bake spiced buns marked with a cross, symbolising the crucifixion of Jesus.

These buns were often distributed to the poor on Good Friday, adding a charitable aspect to their tradition.

The indignant reactions to their non-Easter appearance would appear to have some historical precedent – during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, the London Clerk of Markets passed a law restricting the sale of hot cross buns to funerals, Good Friday, and Christmas.

Breaking this decree would require all the product to be given to the poor.

The law was later repealed due to public outcry, but it reflects the popularity of the buns and their growing significance during this period.

From 1733, English literature references to the buns became more commonplace, and then in 1836 Charles Dickens also associated hot cross buns with Easter in his novel, ‘The Pickwick Papers’.

The 19th Century saw their influence extend beyond England, with similar cross-symbolled baked goods observed in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and United States.

So now with their commonplace prevalence in Hamilton, as in just about any Australian town, some women from the local St Andrews Presbyterian Church got together last week to bake delicious treats for local emergency crews.

Professional cook, Sarah Schapel said the recipe she had and her own experience with baking bread helped enormously, as they can be tricky to get just right.

“It’s helpful to have a few tips,” she said.

“Like, I know how much kneading needs to go into it.”

“They’re so much better than supermarket ones,” she laughed.

With some kids watching proceedings and ‘helping’, she said the buns were destined “specifically to the CFA and ambos … basically we just wanted to share God’s love with them.”