Last weekend, we had the first opportunity to come together with friends this new 2024 to keep celebrating the season with one final holiday shindig. On January 6th, Día de Reyes, a Christian feast day, the biblical story of the visit to the baby Jesus on behalf of the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men, is commemorated. This day marks the 12th day of Christmas and the end of the Christmas season.

It was a lovely day to celebrate with a delicious roscón de reyes, in English called “King Cake”, made with love by our good Spanish friend. This traditional pastry is associated in many countries with Epiphany – the feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana; as a festive and delicious part of the celebration in Spain, France and many Latin American countries. Spanish and French settlers brought it to America, and in some regions, like Louisiana, the three kings cake is consumed throughout Epiphanytide until the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday.

For the Roscón de Reyes:

For the Sourdough:
90 grams of flour
50 grams of water
0,2 grams of fresh yeast

For the Dough:
140 grams of the sourdough, prepared the night before
335 grams of flour
2 eggs
85 grams of butter
60 grams of sugar
40-60 grams of flavored milk infusion
30 grams of honey
30 grams of orange blossom water
15 grams of ron
15 grams of fresh yeast
5 grams of salt
Zest of an orange

For the milk infusion:
100 grams of milk
Half a cinnamon stick
Zest of half a lemon

To garnish:
Candied fruit
Sliced almonds
Sugar
Orange blossom water
1 beaten egg

Prepare the sourdough the night before and let it ferment at least 12 hours at room temperature, preferably above 20 °C. For the aromatic infusion, heat twice as much milk in a saucepan (part will evaporate) with the cinnamon and lemon. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat and let the entire mixture infuse overnight.

The next day, mix all the dough ingredients except the butter. The dough will be very sticky. Knead roughly for about 5 minutes until even. Before adding the butter, beat it with a rolling pin to soften. Knead for another 10 minutes, working the dough until even. Ferment for 2 hours.

Roll the dough once more, degasifying it. Let it rest for about an hour and begin to form the ring. Cross the center with a couple of fingers (or with your elbow) and pull gently until you make a ring of about 30 centimeters in diameter. Carefully place the ring on a sheet of baking paper and brush it with the beaten egg. If the dough is tight, let it rest for about 5 minutes and stretch it again.

Ferment for about 4 hours. Brush again with beaten egg and decorate with candied fruit, flaked almonds and small mounds of sugar stirred with orange blossom water. The dough of the roscón de reyes is typically flavored with orange blossom water or orange zest, giving it a distinctive citrusy flavor – a popular addition in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. Some variations may also include spices like cinnamon. Bake in the oven at 160 °C, with a small bowl of water on the side throughout the entire cooking process. After 5 minutes, increase the temperature to 180 °C and continue to bake for another 18-20 minutes.

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The roscón de reyes is by definition a ring-shaped sweet bread that is often decorated with candied fruits, almonds, and sometimes powdered sugar. The circular shape is not just a random design choice; it has historical and symbolic significance. The ring shape of the pastry is said to represent a crown, symbolizing the crowns worn by the Magi, or Three Wise Men, who visited the baby Jesus. The Magi (Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspard) were considered kings or wise men, and their crowns represented their royal status. In the context of the roscón de reyes, this circular shape not only ties into the theme of the biblical story but also adds a regal touch to the pastry.

One unique aspect of the roscón de reyes is the tradition of hiding a small figurine (usually representing baby Jesus) and a dry bean or trinket inside the bread. The inclusion of the figurine is associated with several historical and cultural aspects. Typically it represents baby Jesus and is directly tied to the biblical story. The Magi brought gifts to honor and recognize the divinity of the infant, and hiding the figurine symbolizes the search for and discovery of the Christ child.

Finding the figurine in your slice of the roscón de reyes is considered good luck. However, it also comes with a responsibility. The person who discovers the figurine is often designated as the “godparent” for the figurine and may be responsible for hosting or providing the roscón for the next celebration.

The tradition of hiding the figurine encourages a sense of community and sharing. In Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, it is common for families and friends to gather on Three Kings’ Day to share a roscón de reyes. Participants in the roscón de reyes festivities eagerly anticipate the moment of slicing the cake to see who will find the hidden figurine. It adds an element of surprise and fun to the celebration, creating a shared experience among family and friends. The pastry is enjoyed with hot chocolate or coffee, and the sharing of the bread is a festive and joyous occasion, allowing the partaking in a symbolic and royal tradition!