DessertsHard

Three Kings Cake

Name: Three Kings Cake
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 80 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 120 ml Warm milk; 600 g Plain flour; 150 g Sugar; 150 g Butter; 5 Eggs; 30 g Fresh yeast; 200 g Candied fruit; 2 tbsp Orange zest; 1 tsp Vanilla extract; 0.5 tsp Salt

80 min (50 prep + 30 cook) Hard 10 servings Nacional

Edmond Bojalil

Recetas Mexas

Published: 10 Feb 2026 · Updated: 10 Mar 2026

A crown-shaped sweet bread with candied fruit for Three Kings' Day.

About this recipe

The Rosca de Reyes is a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruits, traditionally shared on 6th January to celebrate the Epiphany (Three Kings' Day). Hidden inside are small figurines representing the baby Jesus — whoever finds one in their slice must host a tamales party on 2nd February.

History & Origin

The Rosca de Reyes arrived in Mexico from Spain during the colonial era, but Mexicans transformed it into a unique tradition. On the 6th of January, families gather to slice it: whoever finds the figurine of the Baby Jesus hidden inside is committed to hosting the Candlemas celebration on the 2nd of February with tamales and atole. The crystallised fruits symbolise the jewels of the Three Kings' crowns, and the oval shape represents their endless journey. In Mexico, more than 200 million roscas are consumed each Christmas season.

Estimated cost

£13.42

Total cost

£1.34

Per serving

* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets

Nutritional information per serving

334

Calories

Protein

46g

Carbohydrates

16g

Fat

Fibre

268mg

Sodium

* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.

Method

1
Disuelve la levadura en la milk tibia with a tablespoon de sugar. Espera 10 minutes until forme espuma.
2
Mezcla flour, sugar y salt. Añade eggs, butter a temperatura ambiente, levadura activada, ralladura de orange y vainilla. Amasa 15-20 minutes until la corn dough (masa) sea elástica.
3
Cubre la corn dough (masa) y deja fermentar 2 hours en un lugar warm until duplique su tamaño.
4
Desgasifica la corn dough (masa) y shape un cilindro largo. Únelo en shape de óvalo (rosca) on a charola with papel de hornear.
💡 Esconde un muñequito small de plástico dentro de la corn dough (masa) si sigues la tradition.
5
Decora la superficie with tiras de frutas cristalizadas alternando colores. Deja fermentar 45 minutes more.
6
Barniza with egg batido y hornea a 175°C durante 25-30 minutes until esté dorada. Deja enfriar before de servir.