At Easter time, bakeries put out hot cross buns, a traditional seasonal pastry that has grown in popularity in recent years. A hot cross bun is a spiced bread with dried fruit, topped with a cross made of shortcrust pastry or a kind of paste (though there are some modern variations). They are made and eaten when breads made with dairy are forbidden during Lent. According to lore, hot cross buns made on Good Friday will not go mouldy.

You might recognize this old rhyme: Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! one a penny, two a penny, Hot cross buns! These days hot cross buns aren’t quite a penny (and considering we’ve taken the penny out of circulation in Canada, pennies are hard to come by, to boot) but they’re in high demand, and available at a number of popular bakeries in Vancouver. Here are a few places you’ll find hot cross buns in Vancouver:

Bel Café

Hot cross buns are a popular seasonal treat from Downtown’s Bel Café. Their hot cross buns will be available individually for $2.80, as well as by the half dozen ($16.80) and dozen ($33.60). Advance online orders are encouraged. Address: 801 West Georgia Street, Downtown Phone: 604-673-7000 Website: www.belcafe.com

Beaucoup Bakery

Hot cross buns at Beaucoup Bakery’s are made with their buttery brioche recipe, combined with candied lemon and orange peel sourced from France, currants and a pinch of spice. They are sold individually ($2.75) from March 23 to April 6. Those wanting to place bigger orders are encouraged to call the bakery to ensure availability. Address: 2150 Fir Street, Kitsilano Phone: 604-732-4222 Website: www.beaucoupbakery.com

Purebread

Purebread bakery will be making and selling their hot cross buns starting March 30. They’ll run $10 for a six-pack, and will be available at all their locations, including in Downtown Vancouver. Address: 159 West Hastings Street Phone: 604-563-8060 Website: www.purebread.ca

Patisserie Lebeau

Patisserie Lebeau makes their hot cross buns with brioche, their own spice mix, and the cross is made of pastry cream. “Soft, moist and very flavorful” says Olivier Lebeau of their creation. They are $2.00 apiece. Address: 1728 W 2nd Ave Phone: 604-731-3528 Website: www.grababetterwaffle.com

Uprising Breads

Uprising Breads is known for their hot cross buns. They sell their six packs of hot cross buns for $5.25, and they are available through to Easter Monday (April 6). Uprising encourages pre-orders the week before Easter. Address: 1697 Venables Street at Commercial Drive Phone: 604-254-5635 Website: www.uprisingbreads.com

East Village Bakery

East Village Bakery makes gluten-free hot cross buns (four for $5.75), as well as a vegan gluten-free holiday bread full of nuts and fruit ($7.25), and a wheat baguette with pecans and cranberries ($4.25) the bakery says their customers love for Easter meals. Address: 2166 E Hastings Street, Grandview-Woodlands Phone: 604-568-5600 Website: www.eastvillagebakery.com

COBS Bread

Vancouver-based bakery franchise COBS Bread offers three kinds of hot cross buns for Easter eating enjoyment. They’ve got a Traditional Fruit filled with raisins, currants and mixed spice, a Cranberry Orange, and their Chocolate Chip is filled with 100 mini chocolate chips in each and every hot cross bun. Address: COBS Bread has several locations in Metro Vancouver Website: www.cobsbread.com

Terra Breads

Terra Breads was born and bred in Kitsilano, and they brings hot cross buns to their bakery cafés every spring. They make them fresh daily using organic raisins, apricots and currants, and top the buns with real maple lemon icing. Pre-orders are encouraged. Hot cross buns are available at Terra until April 6. Address: Terra Breads has locations in Kitsilano, Granville Island, Olympic Village, and Mount Pleasant. Website: www.terrabreads.com