King Cake A.K.A. Roscon de Reyes

Prep:

Cook:

Level: Intermediate

Serves: 12

12

Description

Finish the festive season with this colorful, fruit-filled pastry in the form of a wreath. Spanish people celebrate Epiphany with this Roscon de Reyes (King Cake).

Ingredients

  • FOR THE BASE:
  • 1 cup Warm Milk
  • ½ ounces, weight Fresh Yeast
  • 4 cups Flour
  • 2  Eggs
  • 16 Tablespoons Butter, Softened
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey Or Sweetener Of Choice
  • FOR THE FILLING:
  • ⅓ cups Cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey Or Sweetener Of Choice
  • 7 ounces, weight Dried Fruit Mixture
  • FOR THE ICING:
  • 1 Tablespoon Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • ½ cups Milk
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2 ounces, weight Dried Fruit Mixture

Preparation

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

In a cup, combine warm (not hot!) milk and yeast. Stir to blend. Let stand for 5 minutes to activate yeast (mixture will become foamy).

In a large bowl, mix flour, eggs, yeast mixture, softened butter, salt and honey, until dough gathers into a ball. If dough is too sticky, add some additional flour until it separates from the edge of the bowl, a little at a time if needed to form a soft dough.

Cover bowl and leave in a warm place for about 45 minutes to rise. Meanwhile, chop dried fruit and prepare cinnamon and honey for filling.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Leave it out for about 10 minutes, covered with a kitchen towel.

Use a rolling pin to roll dough flat. Cover dough with cinnamon and honey mixture and sprinkle dried fruit evenly on it. Roll it up to form a rope. Shape into a ring, sealing the ends together.

Carefully transfer the dough ring to the prepared baking pan. Make a couple of 1-inch deep cuts on the outside of the ring. Bake it for 30 minutes, until done (when inserted tester comes out clean).

For the icing, in a cup, combine flour, vanilla, honey and some of the milk. Mix until smooth. Add butter and remaining milk into a small pan and heat. Pour flour mixture into the pan and mix evenly.

Pour icing on top of the cake. Sprinkle dried fruit on top to decorate.

Scroll to Top