History of the Simnel Cake and Hot Cross Buns

Simnel Cake

I've just read a few articles online about this cake and they all seem to agree that originally it was baked as a gift for mothers on mothering Sunday. It seems to date back to the 1600s (17th Century) and the name is thought to come through Old French from the Latin simila which referred to a fine flour.

The cake is mentioned in a verse written in the 17th Century:

I'll to thee a Simnell bring
'Gainst thou go'st a mothering,
So that, when she blesseth thee,
Half that blessing thou'lt give to me

Source: http://www.wyrdology.com/festivals/easter/simnel-cake.html

Whatever its origins - it looks totally scrummy and appears to be somewhat like Christmas cake! On the top 11 balls of marzipan are placed and these (traditionally) represent the 11 disciples which were left after Judas betrayed Christ and hung himself.

Hot Cross Buns

Buns have long been associated with holy festivals, as have crosses of various sorts. The symbolism of an equal-armed cross is often associated with the "four corners" of the world or the ancient elements.

Of particular interest is the ancient Greek bous, a bun with "horns" given as an offering to the gods. The circular bun was said to represent the moon with the cross dividing it into its quarters.

These buns were also said to never go off - since none have survived we can probably assume that was an exaggeration!

To modern Christians, the bun represents the cross and the crucifixion of Christ. The earliest known reference to such a bun in written English is from "Poor Robin's Almanac" in 1733. These became "Hot" Cross Buns in the early 19th century.

Traditionally these buns were eaten on Good Friday. Now, of course, we can buy and enjoy them all year round - which seems to rather defeat the point.

Source: http://www.wyrdology.com/festivals/easter/hot-cross-bun.html