How to Make Rosca de Reyes - A Step-by-Step Guide

Rosca de Reyes, also known as King's Cake, is a traditional Mexican dessert that is typically enjoyed during the Christmas season. This delightful sweet bread is often consumed on January 6th, also known as the Day of the Three Kings or Epiphany, which marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Mexico. The cake is often baked with a small figurine hidden inside, representing the baby Jesus, and is decorated with colorful candied fruits, symbolizing the jewels on a king's crown.

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 eggs, separated
  • ⅔ cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon warm water
  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages dry yeast
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 1 lime, zested
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 20 candied citrus peels

Information

  • Prep Time: 35 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr 50 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
  • Servings: 12

  • Prepare bread: Mix flour, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, water, dry yeast, orange zest, lime zest, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter; mix until dough is elastic and shiny, about 5 minutes.
  • Form dough into a ball. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
  • Punch down dough gently; roll into a long cylinder. Join the ends of the cylinder together in the shape of an oval ring. Place ring on a greased baking sheet; cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Whisk eggs whites in a small bowl. Brush egg whites evenly over dough.
  • Prepare topping: Mix sugar and butter in a small bowl with your fingers to form a paste. Add enough flour to give paste the consistency of Play-Doh; divide into 5 or 6 balls. Place each ball between two 3-inch squares of parchment paper. Press with the bottom of a 1-cup measuring cup to make circles about 1/8 inch thick.
  • Space circles evenly around dough ring. Arrange candied citrus peels on top of dough.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes before slicing.
  • Nutrition

    397 cal.

    • Total Fat: 16g
    • Saturated Fat: 9g
    • Cholesterol: 126mg
    • Sodium: 138mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 57g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 20g
    • Protein: 8g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 26mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 110mg