Hot cross buns with cheese is 'work of the devil', says Queen's former priest

dailystar.co.uk:

Food giants are doing the 'devil's work’ by defiling hot cross buns with chocolate, caramel and cheese, according to the Queen's former chaplain.Gavin Ashenden - HRH’s chaplain at St James's Palace for 10 years - said the cakes’ Christian roots were being forgotten as supermarkets and restaurants added a range of unhealthy fillings aimed at enlarging appetites’.Originally eaten on Good Friday the buns symbolised the crucifixion with flour paste cross decorations representing the cross on which Christ died.Spices inside were said to reflect those used to embalm Jesus after his death.But Dr Ashenden said new hot cross bun-based products launched to broaden their appeal had warped’ the symbolism and for Chistians that was not an "accident" and could be seen as "the devil at work".Bakery chain Gail's tried a hot cross bun bacon butty’.KFC launched a hot cross bun burger with chicken and cheese.Last week Aldi launched a hot-cross-bun gin liqueur flavoured with notes of caramel, raisins and spice.Tesco announced it has launched six new varieties in time for Easter, taking hot cross bun innovation to the next level’.

Marks & Spencer offers a new range of 'Extremely Cheesy’ and 'Extremely Chocolately’ hot cross buns.Waitrose offers white chocolate and lemon flavours.

While Sainsbury's sells a cheddar and caramelised onion chutney variety.Dr Ashenden lamented the tampering with tradition and said the buns were not just a cultural requisite for Good Friday."It's a matter of massive importance in a multi-layered way," he said."Christians are sad that the symbolism is lost.

But it's also the loss of the narrative of struggle.To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.Hot cross.