Rosca de Reyes
Cransfield School
© FAB and AHDB 2012
What is Rosca de Reyes?
Rosca de reyes or roscón de reyes (kings' ring) is a
Spanish and Latin American king's cake pastry
traditionally eaten to celebrate Epiphany.
© FAB and AHDB 2012
Background
Although the name indicates
that it should be round, the
“rosca de reyes” often has an
oval shape due to the need to
make cakes larger than 30cm
across for larger parties.
Recipes vary from country to
country. For decoration, fig
fruit, quinces, cherries or
dried and candied fruits are
used.
© FAB and AHDB 2012
© FAB and AHDB 2012
It is traditionally eaten on
January 6, during the
celebration of the "Día de Reyes"
(literally "Kings' Day"), which
commemorates the arrival of the
three Magi or Wise Men.
In most of Spain and Spanish
America this is the day when
children traditionally get
presents, from the Three Wise
Men (and not Father
Christmas).
© FAB and AHDB 2012
In Mexico before children go to bed,
they leave their shoes outside filled
with hay or dried grass for the
animals the Wise Men ride, along
with a note.
© FAB and AHDB 2012
The tradition of placing a trinket
(figurine of the Christ Child) in the cake
is very old. The baby Jesus, when hidden
in the bread, represents the flight of
Jesus, fleeing from King Herod's evil
plan to kill all babies that could be the
prophesied messiah.
Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is
blessed and must take the figurine to the
nearest church on February 2,
Candlemas Day (Día de la Candelaria).
© FAB and AHDB 2012
In the Mexican culture, this person also has to
throw a party and provide tamales and atole to
the guests.
A tamale is a traditional dish made of masa
(a starchy dough, usually corn-based), which
is steamed or boiled in a leaf wrapper. The
wrapping is discarded before eating. Tamales
can be filled with meats, cheeses, fruits,
vegetables and chilies.
Atole is a traditional masa-based Mexican and
Central American hot drink. Chocolate atole is
known as champurrado or atole. It is typically
accompanied with tamales, and very popular
during the Christmas holiday season.
© FAB and AHDB 2012
In Spain, roscones bought in
shops hide a figure - either of
Jesus or others little toys and
a dry faba bean baked into
the ring shaped cake.
Whoever finds the figure is
crowned and becomes the
"king" or "queen" of the
banquet, whereas whoever
finds the bean has to pay for
next year's roscón.
© FAB and AHDB 2012
Create your own
Rosca de Reyes!
© FAB and AHDB 2012
© FAB and AHDB 2012