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In Mexico and many other Christian countries Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th, marks the end of the Christmas season. Mexican kids go to bed early on January 5th expecting to find gifts next to the Nativity scene the following morning. Last year I wrote about  this holiday, Día de Reyes, and how it is celebrated in Mexico. Rosca de Reyes is the traditional sweet bread that Mexicans eat with hot chocolate that morning after opening presents. Last year I bought a rosca at my local Mexican market, but this year I decided to make it myself and share the recipe with my readers.

Rosca de reyes

For this recipe you will need:

• 2 ¼ tsps dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 TBSP rum
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 TBSP anise extract
• 3½ – 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 tsp water
• candied fruit for garnish

For the pasta:

• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ cup flour
• 1/3 cup butter, softened

Preparation:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes or until it starts foaming.
2. In a small pot warm milk and add sugar, butter, vanilla, anise and rum. Mix until it reaches about 105°F (40°C) (it will be warm to the touch)
3. Mix milk mixture with yeast mixture and add 3½ cups of flour, one at a time, raisins and 3 eggs. Knead for 10 minutes. Add more flour if the dough is too wet.
4. Place dough into a bowl and cover. Let it sit until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
5. Pre-heat oven to 350ºF (175°C)
6. Turn the dough onto a slightly floured surface and using your palms roll it into a long rope. Shape it into a ring sealing the ends together.
7. Make an egg wash using 1 egg and 1 tsp of water and brush the bread with it.
8. In a small bowl mix the ingredients for the pasta mixing them with a fork until they come together. Using an icing knife or bag spread strips of pasta on the bread alternating with candied fruit strips.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until it turns golden brown. Let it cool on a rack for 10 minutes and serve with hot Mexican chocolate.

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Roscas are usually baked with a porcelain or plastic baby Jesus inside. Traditionally the person that finds it is supposed to prepare tamales on February 2nd to celebrate Candlemas. I didn’t include any figurine in my rosca, but I am planning to have a big tamale night around that date, anyway.  The candied fruit that it is usually used for roscas are figs, cherries and acitron (candied cactus paddles), but I didn’t find any of those so I used the fruits from a candied fruit salad (kiwi, pineapple, strawberries and papaya)

¡Buen provecho!

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