Traditional Spanish Rosca de Reyes - Epiphany Bread
Rosca de Reyes, also known as Three Kings Bread, is a cherished Spanish tradition celebrated on Epiphany. This sumptuous, round bread represents the crowns of the three wise men, symbolizing joy and festivity. Baked with zest of citrus and adorned with vibrant candied fruits, this bread is sweet and aromatic. It's customary to hide a tiny porcelain baby figurine and a dry bean inside the bread. The lucky one who discovers the figurine is crowned king or queen for the day, while the person finding the bean is expected to purchase next year's rosca. Delight in this cultural culinary experience that marks the end of the Christmas season with grandeur.
10
Servings
330
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
unbleached flour
4 cups (sifted)
salt
1/2 teaspoon
yeast
1 ounce (dissolved in milk)
lukewarm milk or water
2/3 cup
butter
6 tablespoons (softened)
sugar
6 tablespoons
lemon rind
1 (grated)
orange rind
1 (grated)
eggs
2
brandy
1 tablespoon
water
1 tablespoon
egg white
1 (lightly beaten)
candied fruit
to taste (sliced, for decoration)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour and salt, creating a well in the center. Dissolve the yeast in a small bowl with the lukewarm milk or water. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and gently incorporate a bit of the surrounding flour to form a thick batter. Lightly sprinkle a teaspoon of the reserved flour over the batter. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow the batter to rise in a warm, draft-free area until it turns spongy, approximately 15 minutes.
2
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a medium bowl, beat together the butter and sugar using a whisk or hand mixer until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Set aside.
3
Combine Ingredients and Form Dough: To the flour mixture, add the grated lemon and orange rinds, eggs, brandy, and water. Mix until combined. Gradually beat the dough until it becomes elastic and smooth. Incorporate the butter-sugar mixture, continuing to mix until the dough is uniform. Form the dough into a ball and cover with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Leave it in a warm area to rise until doubled in size, about 1.5 hours.
4
Prepare Baking Surface: While waiting for the dough to rise, grease a large baking sheet with vegetable shortening, or use a baking stone, which doesn't require greasing.
5
Shape, Hide Surprises, and Final Rise: Once risen, punch down the dough and place it on a floured surface. Knead for 2-3 minutes. Roll into a long rectangle, 2 feet by 5-6 inches. Roll the dough from the long side to form a sausage shape. Place on the baking sheet and form a ring by connecting the ends. Hide the bean and the figurine in the dough, if using. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 1-1.5 hours.
6
Decorate and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the dough with a lightly beaten egg white. Decorate with candied fruit, gently pressing them into the dough. Bake for 30 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
45g
Carbs
7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rosca de Reyes?
Rosca de Reyes, or Three Kings Bread, is a traditional Spanish sweet bread celebrated on Epiphany to mark the end of the Christmas season.
What does the shape of the bread represent?
The round, ring-like shape of the bread represents the crowns of the three wise men.
What is the tradition of the hidden figurine?
A tiny porcelain baby figurine is hidden inside the dough; the person who finds it is crowned king or queen for the day.
What happens if you find the dry bean in the bread?
Tradition dictates that the person who finds the hidden dry bean is responsible for purchasing the Rosca de Reyes for the following year.
What are the primary flavors of this bread?
The bread is sweet and aromatic, flavored with lemon rind, orange rind, and a hint of brandy.
How many calories are in a serving of Rosca de Reyes?
Each serving contains approximately 330 calories.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 10 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long should the bread bake?
The bread should bake for about 30 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
What type of flour should be used?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of sifted unbleached flour.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 14 grams of fat per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 7 grams of protein.
How long is the initial rising time for the yeast batter?
The initial batter should rise in a warm area for approximately 15 minutes until it turns spongy.
How long is the first dough rise?
After forming the dough ball, it should rise for about 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
How long is the final rise after shaping the ring?
Once shaped into a ring, the dough should rise for another 1 to 1.5 hours.
What alcohol is used in this recipe?
One tablespoon of brandy is added to the dough for flavor.
How do you prepare the baking surface?
Grease a large baking sheet with vegetable shortening or use a baking stone which requires no grease.
What is used to decorate the top of the Rosca de Reyes?
The bread is decorated with sliced candied fruits that are gently pressed into the dough.
How do you achieve a golden finish on the bread?
Brush the dough with a lightly beaten egg white before placing it in the oven.
What are the dimensions for rolling the dough?
Roll the dough into a long rectangle approximately 2 feet long by 5-6 inches wide.
How is the ring shape formed?
Roll the dough from the long side into a sausage shape and then connect the ends to form a circle.
Can I use water instead of milk for the yeast?
Yes, you can use 2/3 cup of either lukewarm milk or water to dissolve the yeast.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of sugar.
What citrus rinds are needed?
You will need the grated rind of one lemon and one orange.
How many eggs are included in the dough?
The dough uses 2 eggs, plus an additional egg white for the glaze.
How much yeast is required?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of yeast.
What is the total carbohydrate count?
There are 45 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
When should the figurine and bean be added?
Hide the figurine and bean in the dough after shaping it into a ring but before the final rise.
Should the flour be sifted?
Yes, the 4 cups of unbleached flour should be sifted before starting the batter.
What should you do after the bread is baked?
Cool the bread on a wire rack before serving to your guests.