Ultimate Guide to Making the Perfect Rosca de Reyes: Soft, Flavorful, and Festive
Rosca de Reyes, also known as Three Kings Bread, is a traditional Mexican sweet bread with a delightful orange flavor, beautifully adorned with candied fruits and sugar paste. This soft and fluffy bread celebrates Three Kings Day and brings families together for a delicious tradition. With this recipe, you'll learn how to make an authentic Rosca de Reyes that can be customized with fillings, decorations, and hidden surprises. Perfect for any festive occasion!
Print Share on Twitter Share on FacebookServings: 2 Roscas
Calories: 347kcal
Equipment
- Stand mixer with dough hook
- Large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Rolling pin (optional)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Small knife or kitchen scissors
- Pastry brush
- Small bowl for egg wash
- Microwave or stove for warming milk
Ingredients
- For the Bread:
- ⅔ cup milk warm, around 110°F-115°F
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¾ cup granulated sugar divided
- 2 ½ cups bread flour
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 4 large eggs
- Zest of 2 medium-large oranges optional: add zest of 1 lemon for extra citrus flavor
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- For the Sugar Paste:
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup confectioners' sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- For the Decoration:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Candied cherries
- Guava or quince paste cut into strips
- Almond slices optional for extra crunch
- 1-3 small Baby Jesus figurines
Instructions
- Start by preparing the dough. Warm the milk to about 110°F-115°F and combine with yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it foam for about 5 minutes, signaling that the yeast is active. Combine bread flour, all-purpose flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a stand mixer. Gradually add melted butter, eggs, orange zest, and the yeast mixture. Knead with the dough hook on medium-low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.
- Once the dough is ready, coat a large bowl with vegetable oil, place the dough inside, and let it rise for 1-1½ hours in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size. For best results, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
- Divide the risen dough into two equal parts and shape each into a ball. Create a large ring by stretching the center of each ball, forming an oval about 10½ x 7½ inches. Place the rings on parchment-lined baking sheets, cover lightly, and let them rise for another 45 minutes.
- While the dough rises, prepare the sugar paste. Mix egg yolk, flour, confectioners' sugar, and softened butter until smooth. Shape into 16 strips and refrigerate until use. Prepare an egg wash by whisking 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of milk.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the egg wash over the risen dough and decorate with sugar paste strips, candied cherries, guava paste, and optional almond slices. Bake for 25 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through for even browning.
- Cool the bread for at least 30 minutes before inserting the Baby Jesus figurines from the bottom. For added indulgence, slice the Rosca horizontally and fill with whipped cream, pastry cream, or chocolate ganache.
Video
Notes
Tips for Perfect Rosca de Reyes
- For Extra Flavor: Add a splash of vanilla extract or ground cinnamon to the dough for added warmth.
- Filling Ideas: Transform your Rosca into a showstopper by filling it with dulce de leche, Nutella, or even a fruity cream.
- Decoration Variations: Experiment with nuts, different candied fruits, or edible glitter for a unique presentation.
- Storage: Keep your Rosca fresh by storing it in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Pro Tip: Serve with hot chocolate or café de olla for the ultimate festive pairing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 461IU | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chef Marcy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.