CAPTION: Families enjoyed the Hot Cross Bun Bake Along and learning about the Easter story on Good Friday
Good Friday Hot Cross Bun Family Bake Along Rose to the Occasion
The Hot Cross Bun Bake Along went live on Zoom at 2pm on Good Friday
On Good Friday the Diocese of Exeter held a Hot Cross Bun Family Bake Along on Zoom.
The aim was to have some fun and inspire families from across Devon to bake and pray together.
Helen Williams, the Diocesan Children’s Mission Advisor, said, “We have been really encouraged by the response to the ‘bake along’ video and, in this time of Covid, the Zoom session was a lovely way to gather together, laugh, share, reflect and cook.
“There are already lots of enthusiastic conversations about ‘what recipe for next year’!”
A dozen families or individuals took part in the live bake along, with children from as young as 4-years-old to teenagers participating.
Many of them had never made Hot Cross Buns before.
One child who had a go said: “I’m making them every year from now on.”
The tasty end result from the Hot Cross Bun Bake Along
One adult attendee said: “I’m sure everybody enjoyed it as much as I did! And they will have some nice Hot Cross buns to eat as well!
“A really good idea and a great start for cooking online with young people – and spreading The Word.”
The iconic cross on the top of a hot cross bun symbolises the crucifixion of Jesus. There is also religious significance in the preparation of the buns with the yeast representing rebirth and the fruit reminding us of the good things that have come from Jesus’ death. Prayers are said at specific stages of making the buns.
The Bishop of Plymouth, Nick McKinnel, opened the event and came along with his grandchildren. He said an opening prayer and the participants all said a prayer at each stage of the bake. Claire Nichols explained the significance of the hot cross bun and the Rev’d Preb James Grier shared some Good Friday reflections. Clare Cooke said the closing prayer.
Bishop Nick said: “It was great to see the children’s enthusiasm not only to bake (and eat!) the hot cross buns, but also to learn what the cross means and to join in the prayers as everything was explained. And the buns looked delicious.”
Later this week, Bishop Nick will judge the best looking hot cross buns this week and the winner will get an Easter egg.
Diocese Children’s Mission Advisor Clare Cooke joined in on the fun with her whole family.
Mission Advisor Clare Cooke with her family at the event
She said, “I was absolutely delighted with how our first diocesan wide children and families online event went. It was lovely to see people from across the country coming together in an electronic ‘room’. We had so much fun together and the bonus was that we all had something delicious to eat at the end. It was so lovely for me personally hearing my daughter explain the significance of the cross on the hot cross bun to her Grandpa on Easter Sunday and telling him how she had learnt that at the bake along.”
Lots of people have also commented on and used the Hot Cross Bun cookery video.
Claire Nichols presented the Hot Cross Bun Cooking Demonstration
It was presented by Claire Nicholls, a church family worker for St Mary’s, Uffculme, and filmed at the Square Corner community café she runs.
It was filmed and edited by the Diocese of Exeter’s Multimedia Storyteller, Matt Prior, as the first in our Biblical Bakes series of videos mixing baking with faith.
A Devon school also used the video for their year 5/6 class to make their own buns and from that they used the video as a basis for writing their own recipes.
“I love that it drew in all ages, in watching, sharing conversation, reflecting, and making!” said Helen.
Watch the demonstration video and download a prayer/recipe card here.