Prep: 2 hours 30 mins | Cook: 25 mins – 30 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
550 | 20g | 7g | 79g |
sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
22g | 3g | 15g | 0.41g |
About Rosca de Reyes
Welcome to the world of Rosca de Reyes, a traditional Spanish pastry of unequaled taste and rich cultural significance.
Rosca de Reyes isn’t just a bread; it’s an emblem of Spanish celebrations, an edible manifestation of the Epiphany holidays, and a luscious treat that is welcomed at any table, no matter the occasions.
A Taste of Tradition
Unlike majority of breads in the west, Rosca de Reyes challenges expectations with an unexpected twist due to the plastic baby figurines it houses. Yes, you read it correctly – tiny, plastic babies. These figurines symbolize the flight of the infant Jesus from King Herod’s massacre, in keeping with Spanish folklore. As fascinating as it sounds, the figurines also bring delight and anticipation during the Epiphany gatherings, where finding a figurine in your slice of the bread signifies good luck and the responsibility of hosting the next year’s celebration.
Your Canvas of Culinary Creativity
With Rosca de Reyes, the bread is your blank canvas and the ingredients are your palette. Picture this: the soft playfulness of all-purpose flour, the comforting sweetness of sugar and milk, a gentle pinch of table salt, the dependable raising power of instant yeast, and the velvety richness of unsalted butter. This list of delightful constituents doesn’t end here – we add a quartet of large eggs, the sunny zest of an orange partnered with a tumble of pure vanilla extract, a splash of aromatic orange blossom water finishing with the vibrant burst of chopped candied fruit.
Say goodbye to blandness because Rosca de Reyes, just like a colourful Spanish fiesta, takes you on a gastronomic journey you would not want to miss. All this finally comes together dusted off by a light snowing of confectioners’ sugar before serving to awaken the feast in you.
A Delightful Pairing
Rosca de Reyes isn’t just a standalone masterpiece; it’s a magnanimous accompaniment which pairs delectably with various dishes just as well. Given its mild sweetness and airy texture, it acts as a perfect foil to the humid warmth of a Spanish hot chocolate.
Remember, a true gourmand understands the power of pairing. So, why not make your chilly evenings comforting by teaming up this majestic bread with steaming mugs of Spanish hot chocolate? Or relish it as a sophisticated dessert after a hearty serving of Paella? The culinary magic this bread can bring about is simply limited by your imagination.
So the next time you’re looking to experiment in the kitchen or want to introduce your loved ones to a new palette pleaser, turn to Rosca de Reyes. This king of breads is bound to steal the limelight and your hearts!
What You’ll Need
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of table salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoon of instant yeast
- 1/2 cup of whole milk
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water
- 1/4 cup of chopped candied fruit
- 1 tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar for dusting
- 6 plastic baby figurines (optional)
Method
Step One
In a large bowl, mix together 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of table salt, and 2 1/4 teaspoon of instant yeast.
Step Two
In a saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of whole milk and 1/2 cup of unsalted butter until the butter has melted and the mixture is warm. Make sure not to overheat as this might kill the yeast.
Step Three
Pour the molten milk and butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the 4 large eggs, zest of 1 orange, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water. Mix everything together until a sticky dough forms.
Step Four
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover it and let it rise in a warm area until its size doubles. This will take approximately 1-2 hours.
Step Five
Once dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead for 1-2 minutes, then shape it into a ring. Hide the optional 6 plastic baby figurines in the dough, making sure they’re fully covered and not visible from the outside.
Step Six
Place your ring-shaped dough onto a greased baking sheet or round cake pan. Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step Seven
Bake rosca in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Then remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle the top with a tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar for dusting, and decorate with a 1/4 cup of chopped candied fruits.