The Kings’ Crown roscon de reyes comes into play with the Epiphany on the morning of January 6 when children can’t wait to unwrap gifts and eat the sweet ring cake with the arrival of the Wise Men. It is a typical Spanish, French, and Mexican tradition to wear the King’s crown if the figurine of one of the Wise Men is found in your slice. Otherwise, whoever finds a dry bean will commit to pay for or bring the Roscon de Reyes next year. Try also the gallette de rois with almond frangipane.
The story I have told you is a little-known custom in Italy, which I wanted to share with my little nephew because I find it fascinating, and also because I think the Kings’ Crown roscon de reyes is delicious. The recipe comes from the Catalan tradition, in its simple version and with vegan substitutions, a sweet crown made with leavened brioche dough and lots of candied fruit on top to mimic precious gems. But don’t forget to make a golden cardboard crown to crown the King of the Epiphany.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 5 Hours
- Portions: 10People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 1/2 cups milk (can be substituted with soy or almond milk)
- 1/3 cups butter (can be substituted with vegetable butter or margarine)
- 0.88 oz fresh yeast
- 2 eggs (can be substituted with 3 oz of cornstarch)
- 2 tsps orange blossom water
- 1 pinch fine salt
- 1 packet vanillin
- to taste grated orange and lemon zest
- to taste candied cherries, candied green citron, candied orange
- 1 oz sliced almonds
Steps
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients (except the candied fruits and sliced almonds).
Flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, powdered vanillin, milk in which you dissolved the fresh yeast block, butter or vegetable margarine, the 2 eggs or cornstarch for the vegan version, grated orange and lemon zest, orange blossom water.Form a smooth and homogeneous dough, then place it in the oiled bowl and let it rise until doubled. It will take about 2-3 hours depending on the external temperature.
When the dough has doubled in volume, deflate it and knead it gently on the work surface, make a hole in the middle with your finger and then open it with your hands forming a ring cake with a wide hole in the center.
Place it on the baking sheet, on which you have placed a sheet of parchment paper, shape the ring cake well, and then cover it with a cloth. Let it rise for another 2 hours.After the second rising, place the candied cherries, slices of candied green citron, candied orange, and sliced almonds on top of the ring cake. You can also sprinkle sugar grains or pine nuts, according to your taste. Brush the surface with an egg yolk mixed with a little water and bake the ring cake at 340°F for 25 minutes.
