Rosca de Reyes,Three Kings Bread Recipe, Receta de Rosca de Reyes.

PARA ESPANOL PRESIONE AQUI
While children on México’s Northern states received their presents in Christmas day, those living in Central México and the Southern states are still waiting for January 6^th. Why? Because it is the day when the 3 wise men from the Orient will arrive and bring their presents to baby Jesus, or at least that’s how the story goes. That day they will also celebrate eating the popular “Three Kings Bread” called Rosca de Reyes in México, and Mexican hot chocolate. People do not usually bake their Rosca bread. This is a busy time for theMexican bakeries that will be selling these delicious Roscas not just to eat at home, but also in the office or school. Inside the bread, or rosca, is a plastic little doll (about one inch long) representing baby Jesus. Whoever gets the doll in their slice has to cook tamales on February 2^nd. Also called Candelaria Day. You can read more about this Holiday HERE.
This is another food that I started making at home some years ago because I couldn’t find it here. Nowadays there is a bakery that sells it but the flavors and aromas you get by baking it at home cannot be compared. If you haven’t baked with yeast before do not be intimidated, give it a try you won’t be disappointed you did.

Ingredients for large bread of 16 servings (or 2 small breads as I did this time.)

Please do read all the recipe instructions and notes before you start.
1/2 cup of warm water
2 Envelopes (4 1/2 teaspoons=14 grams) of dry active yeast
4 cups (20 ounces) all purpose flour plus more for dusting
1/2 cup of sugar
3 large whole eggs
4 egg yolks
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 Tablespoon orange extract
1 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened (equals 6 oz. or 3/4 cup) Plus more for bowl and plastic wrap.
Freshly grated orange zest from one orange
Ingredients for the topping:
1 egg yolk
3/4 cup of all purpose flour
6 Tablespoon margarine
1/2 cup of confectioner sugar
Dry fruit like figs, candied orange or cherries.
1 egg beaten for glazing the bread
1 Tablespoon heavy cream or whole milk
White sugar to sprinkle on top of the bread
2 or 3 plastic baby dolls,
Note: Insert the doll into the dough from the bottom before baking, if you desire. I personally do it after baking.
Instructions:
Pour warm water into a bowl, and sprinkle with yeast. Stir with a fork until yeast has dissolved, then let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of the flour, and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 25 minutes.

Mean while mix Flour, eggs, sugar, orange extract, orange zest, salt and butter in a large bowl. Mix until crumbly. Even though I have a Stand mixer this time I kneaded the dough by hand since not everyone has a large mixer but you can do these steps in your Kitchen aid.

Add yeast mixture to the bowl and mix. It will be very sticky. Place into a floured surface and start kneading until you have a smooth dough. It will take about 15 minutes to get this results. 7 minutes in your Kitchen Aid.

Once your dough is smooth and elastic, place in a buttered bowl, and cover with buttered plastic wrap. Let dough stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 and 1/2 hours. Make sure your kitchen is warm to help your dough to rise.
While the dough is resting, mix the following ingredients for the decoration: margarine with the confectioners sugar until creamy. Then add in the flour and egg yolk. Until you have a smooth paste.

Two different ways to shape the bread into a ring form:
Method I

Method II


Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in lower third. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead a few times, then shape into a round cushion and making a hole in the middle shape into a large ring. Transfer to a greased rimmed baking sheet, and loosely cover with buttered plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes. Gather all your decorations and the egg wash. For the egg wash whisk remaining egg with cream.

Brush the dough with the egg wash. Form strips with the confectioners sugar paste and decorate the dough. Place some of the dried fruit pressing them gently into the dough. Sprinkle with sugar and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 10 more minutes until bread is a nice golden brown color. Depending of your oven it will require more time.
Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool. After the bread has cooled insert the plastic baby dolls from the bottom of the bread. Do not forget to let your guests know that there is a baby toy inside the bread.
Rosca de Reyes can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.


It is fit for a king the next day when you dip it into milk.

One kind reader, Lupe Mendoza, shared her freshly baked "Rosca de Reyes" via email
Great Looking bread!

Provecho y Feliz Dia de Reyes a todos mis paisanos!

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