Roscón de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day Crown Cake)

Name: Roscón de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day Crown Cake)
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Spain
Ingredients: Strong bread flour — 500 g (1.1 lb); Sugar — 80 g (2.8 oz); Instant yeast — 10 g (0.4 oz); Warm milk — 150 ml (2/3 cup); Eggs — 2; Butter, softened — 80 g (2.8 oz); Zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon; Orange blossom water — 20 ml (1 1/3 tbsp); Salt — 1/2 tsp; Egg, beaten, for glazing — 1; Candied fruit, for decoration; Flaked almonds, for decoration

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Servings

Ingredients

Strong bread flour — 500 g (1.1 lb)
Sugar — 80 g (2.8 oz)
Instant yeast — 10 g (0.4 oz)
Warm milk — 150 ml (2/3 cup)
Eggs — 2
Butter, softened — 80 g (2.8 oz)
Zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon
Orange blossom water — 20 ml (1 1/3 tbsp)
Salt — 1/2 tsp
Egg, beaten, for glazing — 1
Candied fruit, for decoration
Flaked almonds, for decoration

Method

Combine flour, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm milk, eggs, and orange blossom water, mixing to a rough dough.
Knead in the softened butter, salt, and citrus zest gradually until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1.5-2 hours.
Punch down the dough, and if desired, tuck in a small figurine and dried bean, wrapped so they don't touch the dough directly.
Shape into a ring on a baking tray, forming a hole in the centre, and let proof a further 45 minutes.
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Spain — World Cookbook Project Full Recipes
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush the ring with beaten egg and decorate with candied fruit and flaked almonds.
Bake 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Cool before slicing.

Introduction: Roscón de reyes is the centrepiece of Spain's Epiphany celebrations on January 6th, a ring-shaped sweet bread scented with orange blossom water and decorated with candied fruit.

Cultural Background: Roscón de reyes is the centrepiece of Spain's Epiphany celebrations on January 6th, a ring-shaped sweet bread scented with orange blossom water and decorated with candied fruit. Hidden inside are a small figurine and a dried bean — whoever finds the figurine wears the crown, and whoever finds the bean pays for next year's cake.

Tips: Wrap the hidden figurine and bean in foil or baking paper before tucking into the dough for food safety.

Variations: Some bakeries split and fill the roscón with whipped cream or pastry cream before serving.

Nutrition: Approx. 280 kcal, 6g protein, 40g carbohydrate, 10g fat per serving.

FAQs:

Q: What happens if you find the bean?

A: Tradition holds that whoever finds the bean must pay for the next year's roscón.

Q: Can this be made without orange blossom water?

A: Extra orange and lemon zest can be used, though orange blossom water gives the traditional aroma.