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Hot cross buns

Used to describe a sweet spiced bun made with raisins or currants and leavened with yeast and eaten throughout the Easter season. The buns have a cross on the top, which may be made of icing, pastry or intersecting cuts.

In many countries, buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion. However, they are thought to pre-date Christianity, as they were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eostre (the cross is thought to have symbolised the four quarters of the moon).

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  • Part of Speech: noun
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  • Industry/Domain: Festivals
  • Category: Easter
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