Hot Cross Buns and…Alison, Linda and Cherie

A few weeks ago I started my day by walking Alfie to school then went to do a swim squad.  As I entered the pool the person on reception said, ‘Oh hi Alison, how are you?  Looking forward to your swim?’  And I said, ‘Oh, sorry it’s not Alison, I’m Charlie’.  And she said, ‘Oh, sorry, I thought you were someone else’.

Hot Cross Buns

I didn’t think much of it but when I was walking home from the pool a woman grabbed me by the arm and said, ‘Linda, it’s so good to see you.’  And I wasn’t sure that I had heard her correctly so I said, ‘Oh, sorry?’  And she said, ‘Linda!’, grabbing hold of me, ‘I haven’t seen you for ages’.  And then with a slight look of doubt she asked, ‘It is Linda, isn’t it?’  And I said, ‘Oh no sorry, I’m Charlie’.  And she said, ‘Oh, I’m terribly sorry, you’re the splitting image of Linda’.


Next I was off to the butcher.  I walked in and Richard who owns the business said, ‘Oh hello Cherie, what can I get you today?’  Now I knew there was every chance he was going to call me Cherie.  I’ve been through this with him a few times because he likes to learn the names of all his customers so ever since I began buying my meat from him he’s been determined to learn my name.

The first few times I went there he’d say, ‘And I’m feeling bad, I’ve forgotten your name again.’  And I’d say, ‘It’s Charlie’.  And he’d say, ‘Oh, you’d think I could remember that.’  And then I’d say, ‘Well just remember the cartoon, Charlie Brown’.  And then he’d say, ‘Oh, now you’re making it difficult for me.  I’ll never remember that’.

So the next three or four times I went into the shop he called me Cherie.  And I’d quietly say, ‘It’s not Cherie, it’s Charlie.’  And he’d apologise and say things like, ‘Oh, I should write it down’.  But the very next time I was in the shop he’d forgotten and said, ‘Oh Cherie, how are you today?’

So when I was in there the other day and had been called Alison at the swim centre and Linda on the footpath and then Cherie by the butcher I just had no energy left.  I let him call me Cherie and he’s been calling me that ever since.  ‘Oh, Cherie, it’s so good to see you.  What can I get you Cherie?  Now Cherie, I think you’d like this rack of pork, but then again Cherie, you might like the rolled loin, you can have it stuffed or unstuffed.  Oh, you’d like the steak would you Cherie, can I trim that for you Cherie?  And what have you got planned for the weekend Cherie?  Plenty of entertaining?’  And on and on he’d go.

And the bizarre thing is, my mother’s butcher also used to call me Cherie.  My mother would gently say, ‘Look, I don’t have a daughter called Cherie, it’s Charlie’, but it fell on deaf ears because he called me Cherie for the next six years.

Alison, Linda, Cherie and I all like Hot Cross Buns.  I posted some last year and can still recommend that recipe but this year I adapted a recipe I found on Taste.

Hot Cross Buns

Wonderful Easter Treats

Makes:  12

Degree of Difficulty:  4/5  – because of the time involved

Cost:  Very inexpensive especially compared with what you pay for quality store-bought hot cross buns

  • 7gms powdered yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 2 1/2 cups plain flour
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 50g cold butter, cut into cubes
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup mixed dried fruit
  • 1/3 cup plain flour
  • 1/4 water
  • 1 tsp powdered gelatin
  • 1 tbspn sugar
  • 1 tbspn boiling water

In a small bowl combine yeast, sugar and milk and stir to combine.  Allow to rest in a warm place, covered for 1o mins until frothy.

Sift flour and spice into a large bowl and rub in butter with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs.  Make a well in the centre and add yeast mixture, egg, water and dried mixed fruit.  Stir until well combined.  Cover and leave in a warm place for 60 mins or until mixture has doubled in size.

Grease an 18cm x 28cm tin with 4cm high sides.

Punch down dough, turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes or until smooth.  Divide into 12 even portions and shape into buns.  Place in tin 1cm apart.  Cover and leave in a warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Pre-heat oven to 200C.

For the crosses:  In a small bowl combine water and flour and mix until a smooth paste.  Put into a piping bag and pipe crosses onto each bun.

Place tin in oven for 10 mins.  Reduce heat to 180C and cook for a further 15 mins.

For the glaze:  In a small bowl combine boiling water, sugar and gelatine.  Mix until smooth.

Remove buns from the oven.  Place on a wire rack to cool.  Brush with glaze.  Best eaten immediately!

Happy Easter!

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Comments

  1. Wow, three in one day! I once misheard a guy’s name in college (we met in a loud place — I don’t want to say it was a bar, but . . . ) and we knew someone in common, so when he asked me out, I said yes. On the date, I kept calling him by the wrong name. I called him George and his name was Dortch. Really, who is named that? No wonder I misheard him. Anyway he never asked me out again, and our mutual friend teased me about it. I’m guessing, though, that the butcher shop is not as loud as a bar.

  2. Hehe now wouldn’t that be funny if you met Alison and Linda and they looked just like you and they had experienced being called Charlie! 😛

  3. For the spirit of the season. A Joyous Easter to you and your family!

  4. Hi,
    That must of been a very frustrating day for you.

    I love Hot Cross Buns, looks like a great recipe. 🙂
    Happy Easter to you as well.

  5. These must be so delicious warm from the oven. That recipe is too complex for a novice like me. I will leave it to experts. My Mom used to call us by every daughter’s name at once because then she would likely get your name in there somewhere and we would all come running. It went a bit like this “Hey LisaSusanLindaKathyRachelSaraMissyFrancis”. The last two names were the cats.

  6. In grade school (gr 1-7) went to school with a lot of Italian kids whose names were Anglicized by the nuns and, though NOT Italian, insisted on being called by my ‘real’ name, Maria. When my brother married, a Hungarian girl, her entire family called me Mary. I corrected them several times but gave it up since I didn’t want to make waves. Now my brother, nephew and SIL still call me Mary. The rest of the world … Maria.

    Nice buns, Charlie. And the baked good look nice as well. 🙂

  7. Just look at those buns LOL. For some strange reason, these remind me of cinnamon buns. Maybe because of the shape of them. Delish

  8. This is hilarious, Alison, Linda, Cherie, Charlie, or whoever you are.

    Have a wonderful Easter!

  9. Hahah what a funny story! What if Alison, Linda and Cherie were all your quintuplets or something! OH MY!

  10. Sometimes it feels as if the Universe is just messing with ya and you might as well just play along. Freshly made hot cross buns are the best and I bet yours are wonderful.

    Wishing you and yours a happy Easter, Charlie.

    • hotlyspiced says:

      Thanks John. And a very happy Easter to you and the Bartolini clan too. No doubt you will all be getting together and celebrating with some wonderful food with great flavours xx

  11. What a day that was, Charlie! A couple of years ago we met a new customer, she spent the first ten minutes quizzing me on how to pronounce my name; is it Eeee-va? Or Ah-va? Or Eh-va? Or Aye-va. I said it didn’t matter, but she insisted! So I said that it was the Hungarian pronunciation of Aye-va. She has called me everything BUT that, since then! Go figure.
    I have never had hot cross buns, Charlie. I was going to make them but was told they are not worth it; it seems to me, that if you put that much time and effort into them, I must have been mislead. Sadly, it will have to wait as today I’m baking ChgoJohn’s Cheese Bread! I have a $7 piece of Peccorino in my cheese cubby in the fridge (my Australian fridge, that is!!!)
    Hope you have a wonderful Easter Sunday. I’ll be baking bread and cupcakes all day!

    • hotlyspiced says:

      That is such a funny story about your name. It is a shame you haven’t made hot cross buns before because they are sensational! It is a treat my family looks forward to every Easter. Easter just wouldn’t be the same without Hot Cross Buns. I have a sister living in the USA and she tells me you can’t buy them there! Unbelievable. They are EVERYWHERE here at Easter just like Santa is EVERYWHERE at Christmas. We’ve had a lovely Easter Sunday thank you catching up with family and eating and drinking far too much. I hope your day in the kitchen is wonderful and I’ll look forward to seeing the results xx

  12. Somedays are just like that. Everyone has always mispronounced my name and sometimes I feel like people are talking to someone else……. at times when people pronounce it correctly I feel almost attached to them. I am sure that you have had a very busy day given the size of your family!!

  13. Hi Charlie,
    What a funny story. Sometimes, I forget names of people I know well, and is really embarrassing when I have to introduce them to someone else. I just blank out.
    These buns look delicious! That is amazing that you made these at home. I have yet to try bake bread or rolls at home. A little intimidating for me. You have a fantastic job!

  14. Sometimes the name thing is just easier not to be corrective, especially in this case. I do not think he would ever get it right anyway. Weird that your mom’s butcher had the same issue with your name.
    Your buns do look tasty. Most of the photos I have seen have been taken of a single bun but the photo of the whole tray here really does make my mouth water. It has been awhile since I have made any homemade bread, but that does need to change. Great post!

  15. I will forever and anon be called Joanna instead of Joanne by just about everyone I encounter. It happens, unfortunately!

  16. I always end up feeling bad when people call me the wrong name and just let them go. Ridiculous really as it is there mistake and I feel bad lol. ope younare having a great Easter weekend Linda 😉 he he xx

  17. You are not running into some kind of identity crisis are you? Poor darling.. c

  18. From your blog, Charile, I would guess you are too distinctive in every good way to ever be mistaken for anyone else. Made me laugh. And the hotcross buns made me nostalgic.

  19. i’d call it raisin buns 🙂 high in energy boosting!

    Latest: How Hot can You Take?

  20. I have never had cross buns, but I will bake them one day. Yours look luscious!
    I absolutely hate when people modify my name or take me for someone else. I always correct people and eventually they remember it (I suppose they feel ashamed and it helps them to remember 😉 because my friends who never correct anyone get their names “tortured” in horrible ways for long years).
    Happy Easter!

  21. Ha, I like that story. So weird that BOTH butchers called you Cherie!

  22. YAY! Charlie your blog is up and running again ~ WOO HOO! I was so worried last night when it said your server was down 🙁
    Uhhh i hate being called the wrong name…whenever I call or tell people my name in HK or Asia I say ‘Daisy’ they’ll repeat ‘Fairy’ or ‘Dairy’ and the worse…is when people always write my name with an ‘e’ so ‘Daisey’ sighhhh no offence to that way of spelling it…but my name is very simple just ‘5 letters’.
    Doesn’t matter I’m sure these Hot Cross Buns will cheer you up 😀

  23. Perhaps your butcher is a Frenchman at heart and he wants to call you his cherie? Just a thought…

    Now I am going to have to make my own hot cross buns next year because all of these great recipes are out here this Easter. Yours look wonderful, Charlie-Cherie! Happy Easter to you and yours!

  24. Have a great Easter Charlie and to your family as well! 🙂 This bread looks gorgeous, and must be delicious as well. Perfect addition to any Easter brunches/dinners!

  25. Maybe they’re calling you chérie as in the French for “sweetheart”? I have no explanation for Linda or Alison, though.. 😉

    Hot Cross Buns look scrumptious, Charlie! And WP ate my comment on your last post – loved your marshmallow eggs! xx

  26. lol! maybe you might need to wear a name tag next time you walk in there! Love the hot cross buns too!

  27. Once in a day is one thing, but 3 times? With 3 different names? LOL…that’s crazy!

    I love your hot cross buns! So beautiful…and such a wonderful Easter tradition. Hope you had a fabulous holiday weekend!

  28. For me it’s Cindy. For some reason people (and different people at different times of my life) have referred to me as Cindy. The worst was this boy I met once long ago. He called and asked my mom, who answered the phone, to speak with Cindy. She said wrong number. I about died. I knew it was him. Fortunately he tried again and we ended up being high school sweethearts. And I’ve since been called Cindy by several other people as well. Crazy. Well, Cherie…I mean Charlie – lol – these buns look fantastic! I had no idea hot cross buns were such an Easter treat. I’ve learned a lot this year and I need to try my hand at these.

  29. Haha I get called Abbie, Debbie, Lizzie at times… and a Japanese restaurant once took my name down as ‘Ribby.’

    The hot cross buns look amazing. I’ve promised myself that I’ll make a batch next Easter. Hope you and your family had a fabulous Easter weekend, ‘Cherie’ xx

  30. How funny, although perhaps you can use this wrong-named naming to adopt a multitude of personas that allow you to get up to all sorts of mischief and not be held culpable? 🙂

    These hot cross buns look wonderful, much better than store bought xo

  31. –yes,
    perhaps you have a set of twins out there <3

    Those buns look deeeeevine.

  32. lol!!!! Cherie is a pretty name 🙂
    i love your hot cross buns!

  33. Excellent hot cross bun recipe, Ralph! I mean, er, Charlie! 🙂

  34. Haha! How weird that all three of those things happened in one day. You certainly do not look like an Alison or a Linda for pete’s sake! Cherie I suppose wouldn’t be so bad…I knew a girl in the 1st grade whose name was Cherie LaQuay and I remember at my young age always thinking the name sounded so exotic! One of my best friend’s throughout school mother’s name was Charlie. I love that name for a woman. Sexy, confident, and out of the ordinary. I think you should stick with it…LOL 😉

  35. Please excuse me…but I just have to laugh at the story of butcher…he still can’t remember your name…and then the butcher of your mother…just hilarious.
    These buns look fabulous, Charlie.

  36. hahaha seriously I find your name amazing, I could never forget it, I guess I grew up with those angels 🙂 ..
    Hope you had a lovely easter Charlie!

  37. Hot cross buns always satisfying my gluttonous soul. 🙂 Yum!

    Hope you had a great Easter Charlie!

  38. I love your hot cross buns!! Aren’t they just the best.. I could eat them for every meal:) I introduced my best friend as Judy on Saturday night after a few glasses of wine.. only Judy is her mother’s name and her name is Jane.. sigh.. I ought to give up wine! xo

    • hotlyspiced says:

      Oh, don’t do anything so drastic. If she’d been drinking herself she probably wouldn’t have even noticed!

  39. People call me Amanda, Marie, Marcella… (it’s Miranda). I just let them. But Cherie is a lot cuter.

    Every time I see Hot Cross Buns I think of that song they made us play on recorders.

  40. That’s so funny! People call me Man, Alan, Sam, and a few other weird takes on the simple name “Nan” – but no one has grabbed me and insisted I was Linda (smile). Can’t wait to try the recipe. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my site – now I have a new blog to visit and enjoy – yay!

  41. Isn’t it odd how some people find it so difficult to remember your name. It must have been slightly weird to have been called several wrong names in one day. A bit surreal, do you think there are several people who live near you all looking very similar to you? GG

  42. my first time her…nice to meet you,Charlie. Book marking this hot cross buns recipe….

  43. YUM! I would love to enjoy these for breakfast tomorrow!

  44. A rose by any other name is just as sweet, so it stands to reason that no matter what anyone calls you, you’ll always be the wonderful person you are. 😉

  45. I’m pretty bad with names too! 🙂

    Yes, gotta make myself a batch of hot cross buns with choc chips so friends can eat it too. Most of my friends don’t like raisins! Fussy huh

  46. Mmmm, like homemade hot cross buns. That’s funny how both butchers called you “Cherie” I have had several people call me “Tracey” Even people who are not close friends, but I have known for a long time. The funny thing is , that my mum had Kelly, Tracey, or Peta picked out as a name for me.

    Kelly

  47. What beautiful hot cross buns! Hope one day I can make buns like this. I’m bad with names, I used to be good at it but after having kids, all my strengths seem to disappear… lol.

  48. Hmmm, stuff like this can lead to an identity crisis! I am glad that whatever name they call you by, you love hot cross buns – these look delicious.

  49. Aww I can feel your pain on mis-said names. My name gets pronounced “Kyle” “Kyley” sometimes if they mishear me “Haley” or “Terry”! Those hot cross buns look beautiful and delicious, though!

  50. ah.. I am realy bad with names, but the butcher should feel ashamed already after calling you 3 times wrongly. At least you dont call people with the wrong name dont u? 😉

    I thought all these years since I am in goa that hot cross buns exsisted only in this country. lol I either missed the treat in austria and france or it simply doesnt exist there.
    anyway… yours, loook gorgeous!

  51. No one EVER gets my name right! They either call me Sarah, or Kate… but my name is SarahKate! It’s frustrating, but I’ve learned to just let it go. It’s not THEIR fault my parents gave me a weird name!

  52. These hot cross buns are divine Linda… Cherie? 😉
    I know the issues with name – having a very hard Indian one, I have over 10 different ways of saying it and I am not kidding 😛

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  53. What a day, Charlie! Those buns look fabulous!

  54. Charlie, that’s really funny story you got 🙂
    Anyway, this thing happens to me all the time, it’s like only 1 in 10 got it rite in the first place. Because my name is Octivia which is unusual and People always call me Octavia, even in my workplace of 5 years, some of them still call me with the wrong name, but I get used to it now

  55. Hilarious, Charlie! I used to get called Wendy by teachers, because my maiden name was “Wendt” – and I would get called Rachel, I guess bedaues of the “ch” sound?! But never three different WORNG names in one day! Oy, vey!!!

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