Hot Cross Buns for Dan

April 12, 2015 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Last Thursday, this little man came to visit.

His name is Ben, and he’s three years old. His mother Dan is one of my best friends in the entire universe. She and her family moved to California eight years ago, but that hasn’t been an impediment to our relationship – if anything, we’re closer now than we’ve ever been. To steal her words, I love her to the moon and back.

Benny seemed to know this instinctively – even though I hadn’t seen him since he was a baby, he marched right into our house and plonked himself on my lap. Then he helped me take the selfie above to send to his mum. We dragged out our twenty year old collection of wooden Thomas trains and constructed a track on the living room floor. He was very chuffed…

Ben was over to visit his grandparents with Patrick, but Dan had stayed at home with the older kids. Which meant she’d missed out on hot cross buns at Easter – apparently they’re almost impossible to buy in San Francisco. So I baked a batch for her and sent them home with Patrick. I made our yeasted buns and coated them in a sugar and milk glaze…

Packing the buns became an engineering exercise – they were frozen until the morning of departure, then packed in bubblewrap first for insulation, then in a reinforced cardboard box to ensure they didn’t get squashed en route.

Patrick filmed Dan’s reaction, and it made me so happy that I thought I’d share…

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend!

Posted in Food & Friends | 44 Comments

44 Responses

on April 12, 2015 at 8:02 am anne54

What a delicious present, Celia! Ben looks like such a sweet boy and I bet he was absorbed by the train set for hours!
on April 12, 2015 at 8:16 am Francesca

What a lovely post. Made my Sunday. Those buns look fabulous and Dan’s reaction is too!
on April 12, 2015 at 9:07 am lizzygoodthings

Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing, love.
on April 12, 2015 at 9:31 am Sherri

Talk about sending a box filled with joy! Dan was so excited, it was lovely to see her response.
on April 12, 2015 at 9:33 am Manuela

Ben’s so cute! The hot cross buns look delicious. Dan’s reaction is priceless! What a treat!
on April 12, 2015 at 9:52 am lambsearsandhoney

I’d never have thought of sending buns across the pond. What a great friend you are!
on April 12, 2015 at 11:54 am sue marquis bishop

Beautiful hot cross buns!!! Sue
Womenlivinglifeafter50.com
on April 12, 2015 at 11:55 am Diane Charney

I don’t think I even like hot cross buns, but this video is so sweet.

Envoyé de mon Di-phone !

>
on April 12, 2015 at 12:13 pm Kathy

How wonderful that you could make them for her and even better seeing how she reacted to receiving them. She will remember that moment forever. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane “Food the international language of Love”…
on April 12, 2015 at 12:27 pm Jan

Smell-memory is so powerful isn’t it and can bring back so many lovely memories. What a wonderful thing to give, Celia, and it was such fun to see her reaction. Don’t you love it when little children march right in and just get on with being a friend!
on April 12, 2015 at 1:14 pm Three Well Beings

What a sweet story of friendship, Ceiia. How wonderful to hear how you maintain such a long distance, but very vital relationship. And that little guy is adorable–so is the selfie! You are beaming. :-) I took notice of Hot Cross Buns in some of the local shops last week, but they pale in comparison and weren’t anything special. Yours ARE definitely very special!
on April 12, 2015 at 3:52 pm Lina

I was quite confused at the beginning Celia upon seeing your lady friend’s name as being Dan, & then her son as Ben. Why? Well I usually share your blog with my son , DAN & bake your goodies for my other son, Ben!! Hahaha! I told my son Dan ‘ hey Dan come & watch this video of Dan’.. When I pointed to who ‘Dan’ was he was shocked! Oh but what a beautiful sentimental gift you gave Celia! We actually ‘smelled’ the Hot Cross Buns with your lovely friend Dan! I’ve always wanted to know if one could post baked goods overseas & if it’s acceptable! Thanks for sharing!
- on April 12, 2015 at 4:26 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lina, these weren’t posted – her hubby took them home with him on the plane. I’m not sure how they’d survive in the post – I suspect they’d be very stale by the time that got there! How funny that you have a Dan and Ben too! :) Our Dan is, of course, Danielle.. :)
  - on April 14, 2015 at 9:51 pm Lina
    
    Ah ! Thanks for clarifying Celia! I don’t think I’d attempt mailing any food whatsoever! And yes we have a Ben… Dan… & Andy!
on April 12, 2015 at 5:54 pm fergie51

:) Happy post!
on April 12, 2015 at 8:19 pm Elaine @ foodbod

Love it love it love it xxx
on April 12, 2015 at 8:21 pm Stefanie

Hi Celia, this proves why food gifts are the best of all :). x
on April 12, 2015 at 9:30 pm Jan (A gluttonous wife)

That’s just awesome!!!! Thanks for sharing x
on April 12, 2015 at 10:42 pm Jaqi

What perfect buns, Celia…and what a wonderful reaction from Dan. I agree with Kathy, food is the international language of live. I bet Dan could taste the love in those buns! :-)
on April 12, 2015 at 10:44 pm Jaqi

Oops! Of course I meant to write language of LOVE 😊
on April 12, 2015 at 11:12 pm lorkindf

That is very cool, what a lucky friend she is!
on April 12, 2015 at 11:30 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

Isn’t that cute!! I love this post!
on April 12, 2015 at 11:34 pm Misky

So sweet. :D
on April 13, 2015 at 12:40 am Glenda

Hi Celia, that is a lovely gift. Your friend certainly appreciated your efforts. How cool is that?
on April 13, 2015 at 2:39 am Selma's Table

How lovely!! Dan’s reaction put such a smile on my face – I can’t even imagine what it did for you!! And Ben is just adorable!!!!
on April 13, 2015 at 4:45 am narf77

Soul food in so many ways Ms Celia :)
on April 13, 2015 at 11:48 am Vita

That’s so good, You bring so many people so much joy. What a special person you are!
on April 13, 2015 at 1:30 pm cityhippyfarmgirl

That’s a long way for your baked goodies to fly Celia. Lucky people indeed!
on April 13, 2015 at 3:33 pm Mel @ The cook's notebook

You’re on a blogging roll!! Love this post.
on April 13, 2015 at 4:54 pm Chica Andaluza

What a fantastic gift and what a great reaction! True friendship lasts and grows even across the miles :)
on April 13, 2015 at 6:07 pm Christine Pope

Still working on my gluten and dairy free hot cross buns ( really look more like muffins) however yours looked amazing!
on April 13, 2015 at 7:08 pm thecompletebook

What a lovely surprise you sent your friend Celia – very special!
Have a happy day.
:-) Mandy xo
on April 13, 2015 at 11:53 pm Judy @Savoring Today

Aw, just warms my heart, what a sweet and thoughtful gift to bring friends close when so far apart. :)
on April 14, 2015 at 12:34 am Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

I hope you dont think that I have forgotten you, but had health issues and busy witht he grandkids, traveling…

I wish I had had some of these for Easter. I hope you and your family are well. Much love, Norma
- on April 14, 2015 at 2:00 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Norma, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been unwell. Hope you’re on the mend now! Traveling and grandkids though, sounds wonderful! xxx
on April 14, 2015 at 9:36 am MamaD1xx4xy

You are the best friend ever! What an awesome gift to send! Even if they weren’t the freshest buns when they arrived I’m sure she absolutely loved them.
- on April 14, 2015 at 2:01 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Gretchen, we baked them the day before, froze them that night, and Patrick took them home in his luggage the next day. So they were *almost* freshly baked! And yes, thank you, she loved them! :)
on April 14, 2015 at 11:58 am hotlyspiced

You’re amazing Celia. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen better hot cross buns. I wouldn’t have thought these would have made it through customs but there you go! Love the video – Dan is so thrilled it’s like she won the lottery! xx
- on April 14, 2015 at 2:02 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Charlie, I was amazed they made it through as well!
on April 14, 2015 at 10:49 pm The Bountiful Hunter

Ahhh thats what I love about food! The simple joy it can bring others. You are truly a good friend Celia. Dx
on April 15, 2015 at 3:44 pm sherry from sherrys pickings

those buns look fab and how wonderful to send them over.. i never would have thought of being able to do that, or get them thru Customs.
on April 15, 2015 at 11:15 pm My Kitchen Stories

Celia, that’s such a lovely video and such a touching thing to do. How nice for both of you! It must have been so heartwarming to see her boy…and not a surprise that he instinctively knew you. His Mother talks to you once a week, he knows your voice.
on April 16, 2015 at 8:35 am dianeskitchentable

That would have been my reaction too! Those look absolutely fantastic. That Ben is a cutie pie & you are marvelous to have a box of Thomas trains just waiting for favored guests. You do think of everything.
on April 19, 2015 at 5:53 pm Sally

You are truly a bread angel.