Since I come from an English family; most of whom still live in England, and I was raised on these every Easter, I will say that traditionally they are eaten from Good Friday through to Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent; and there is no sugar or risen goods eaten for forty days (hence Pancake Tuesday the day before). But this recipe has far too much spice in it; and we do not traditionally put icing crosses on the buns. Instead, a cross is cut into each bun gently before baking, and then checking it for rising about halfway through the baking time. After that, a mixture of either water and sugar or milk and sugar is brushed on the top to make a shiny and somewhat sweet taste, without over doing the sugar. There are many bakeries here in America though that have all kind of things in them; even lemon icing crosses on the tops. They might taste good, but are not authentic.
Since I come from an English family; most of whom still live in England, and I was raised on these every Easter, I will say that traditionally they are eaten from Good Friday through to Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent; and there is no sugar or risen goods eaten for forty days (hence Pancake Tuesday the day before). But this recipe has far too much spice in it; and we do not traditionally put icing crosses on the buns. Instead, a cross is cut into each bun gently before baking, and then checking it for rising about halfway through the baking time. After that, a mixture of either water and sugar or milk and sugar is brushed on the top to make a shiny and somewhat sweet taste, without over doing the sugar. There are many bakeries here in America though that have all kind of things in them; even lemon icing crosses on the tops. They might taste good, but are not authentic.