Bath bun facts for kids
![]() |
|
Type | Sweet roll |
---|---|
Place of origin | United Kingdom |
Region or state | Somerset |
Main ingredients | Sugar, candied fruit peel, currants or raisins or sultanas |
The Bath bun is a yummy sweet roll that comes from Bath, England. It's made from a soft dough, often with milk and yeast. After it's baked, a sprinkle of crushed sugar goes on top. Sometimes, these buns have extra treats inside. You might find a lump of sugar, or tasty bits like candied fruit peel, currants, raisins, or sultanas.
Contents
Discover the Bath Bun
The Bath bun is a type of sweet roll. It's known for its soft texture and sweet flavor. The dough is usually made with milk and yeast. This gives the bun its light and fluffy feel. A special touch is the crushed sugar sprinkled on top.
Tasty Variations
Not all Bath buns are exactly the same. Some versions hide a lump of sugar inside the bun. Others include different dried fruits. You might find candied fruit peel, small currants, or raisins. Sometimes, sultanas are added too. These additions make each bun a little different and extra delicious.
A Glimpse into History
The Bath bun has a long and interesting past. It has been around for many years. People have enjoyed these sweet treats for centuries.
When Buns Became Famous
The Bath bun became super popular around 1851. This was during the Great Exhibition in London. Almost a million of these buns were eaten in just five and a half months! This event really helped make the "London Bath bun" well-known.
Early Mentions of the Bun
We know about Bath buns from as far back as 1763. Even famous writer Jane Austen mentioned them. In a letter from 1801, she wrote about eating too many "Bath Bunns." This shows they were a popular treat even then.
The Original Recipe
The first Bath buns from the 18th century were a bit different. They used a richer dough, like brioche. This dough had eggs and butter. The buns were then covered with caraway seeds. These seeds were coated in many layers of sugar, similar to French dragée candies.
Who Created the Bun?
Many people believe William Oliver created the Bath bun. He was a doctor in the 18th century. Interestingly, Dr. Oliver also invented the Bath Oliver biscuit. He made this dry biscuit because the bun was too rich. It was not good for his patients who had rheumatism.
The Bath Cake Connection
The Bath bun might also have come from an older treat. This was called the "Bath cake" from the 18th century. Some people think this "Bath cake" was also the start of the Sally Lunn bun. The Sally Lunn bun is another famous sweet bread from Bath.
Where to Find Them Today
Even now, Bath buns are still made in the Bath area of England. You can still enjoy these historic and tasty treats.