Rosca de Reyes ( Three Kings Bread )

Three Kings Bread is annual Mexican tradition enjoyed every year on the sixth of January. The bread is baked with a baby Jesus inside, then sliced and served. The winner of the baby Jesus gets to host a dinner party on Febuary 2nd, the day of the candle mass.

This year I was determined to make my own bread. The store bought version isn't what it use to be when I was growing up, and I miss that. Our local hispanic bakeries make this bread with candied fruit, which I don't care for, and they just don't seem to put alot of effort in the process, at least thats what the look resembles, not very apetizing. Taking all that in consideration and the inflation of the price for one of these babies ( $25.00 ) forced me to give this recipe a try.

The result was delicious, I used my concha recipe versus the traditional citrus version. It was soft and tasted awesome!

Rosca de Reyes

2 1/2 tsp yeast
1/2 c.warm water
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1/4 c. plus 2 tblsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. butter, melted
1 egg
4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon  (see tip below)

Tip: grind your cinnamon in a blender or coffee grinder. Do not use store bought cinnamon. You want more of a rough textured cinnamon versus the powder form.

Topping

2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter ( 1 stick )
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg yolk
Food coloring of your choice

Egg wash

1 egg
1/4 cp. water

 In a large bowl, stir together the yeast and warm water. Mix in the milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, egg, and half the of the flour. Gradually mix in the remaining flour, and 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon. Turn the dough onto a floured counter to knead as soon as it pulls together enough.

 Knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

 Place in a large greased bowl, and turn the dough to coat. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

 When the dough is done rising, shape into a round ball, using your thumb make puncture in the center of the dough.

 Stretch the center of the dough to form a ring like shape.

 Place your ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (baking paper). At this point you would take your heat proof plastic baby Jesus and insert it into the dough.

 Cover with plastic wrap to keep from drying out. Let the rings rise about 45 minutes.

 While rings are rising make the topping. In a medium bowl, beat 2/3 c. sugar, 1/2. c butter, egg yolk, and vanilla  until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour until the mixture is the consistency of thick paste. Divide into three parts and color with food coloring. Set aside.

 After rings have risen, brush with egg wash.

 Pat the topping into desired shape and place on top of the rings.

Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees  for 20 to 25 munites until golden brown. Cool 30 minutes, slice and serve paired up with traditional Mexican hot chocolate. Remind every one to hunt for there baby Jesus before eating!