Good Friday Hot Cross Buns

Good Friday is a major fast day but it is traditional for simple foods to be eaten after the Good Friday church service which takes place from 12-3 pm (the hours that Our Lord was on the cross).

In Great Britain, Hot Cross Buns are traditional fare on Good Friday. They originated at Saint Alban’s Abbey in 1361. The buns were marked with the sign of the cross and distributed by the monks to the poor.

Hot Cross Buns

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sugar

1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) of active dry yeast

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. (heaping) baking powder

1/2 tsp. (scant) baking soda

2 tsp. salt

1/4 c. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Spices: Cardamom, nutmeg, allspice (optional)

1/2 c. raisins

1 Tablespoon orange zest

Cooking spray

1 egg white