Rosca de Reyes

This yeasted bread ring, called rosca de reyes or pan rosca in Mexico, is similar to king cake. It's a rewarding treat to make at home to celebrate Epiphany.

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 397 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages dry yeast
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1 orange, zested
• 1 lime, zested
• 20 candied citrus peels
• 0.25 cup butter
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup butter, softened
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.66666668653488 cup white sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Prepare bread: Mix flour, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, water, dry yeast, orange zest, lime zest, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter; mix until dough is elastic and shiny, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Form dough into a ball. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

Step 4

Punch down dough gently; roll into a long cylinder. Join the ends of the cylinder together in the shape of an oval ring. Place ring on a greased baking sheet; cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

Step 5

Whisk eggs whites in a small bowl. Brush egg whites evenly over dough.

Step 6

Prepare topping: Mix sugar and butter in a small bowl with your fingers to form a paste. Add enough flour to give paste the consistency of Play-Doh; divide into 5 or 6 balls. Place each ball between two 3-inch squares of parchment paper. Press with the bottom of a 1-cup measuring cup to make circles about 1/8 inch thick.

Step 7

Space circles evenly around dough ring. Arrange candied citrus peels on top of dough.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes before slicing.