Holiday Bread
Holiday Bread
Roscón de ReyesRoscón de Reyes is a delightful sweetened bread covered with sugar and candied fruit, traditionally prepared and enjoyed on January 6th, the Day of the Three Kings. This significant Spanish holiday celebrates the journey of the Three Wise Men to Spain on camels and is beloved by children, as the Wise Men bring gifts. If children have been "good," the Kings leave presents in their shoes, and if they've been "bad," the Kings fill their shoes with coal instead of toys. On this special day, the holiday bread comes with a surprise – usually a coin or a ceramic figure is baked into it. According to legend, whoever finds the "surprise" in their slice of bread is granted good luck for the rest of the year.
Ingrediënten
Yield: 1 Large Bread Ring
- 1 package equivalent to 2½ teaspoons of active dry yeast
- ¾ cup of warm water between 100°F to 110°F
- 1 tablespoon of orange flower water or strong tea
- ½ teaspoon of lemon zest
- 6 whole cloves
- ¼ pound 1 stick of unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon of lard or vegetable shortening
- ½ cup of sugar
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon of brandy such as Spanish brandy or Cognac
- ½ cup of milk scalded and cooled
- 5 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour
- Candied fruit slices such as orange or lemon
- 1 teaspoon of water
- 1½ tablespoons of sugar such as coarse, for sprinkling
Instructies
- In a small cup, sprinkle the yeast over ¼ cup of the warm water.
- Let it sit until the yeast becomes creamy, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Stir until the yeast dissolves.
- In a small saucepan, add the remaining ½ cup of warm water, the orange flower water, zest, and cloves.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
- Let it cool, and then remove and discard the cloves.
- While the water-lemon mixture is cooling, in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, lard, sugar, and salt until the mixture is smooth.
- Beat in 2 of the eggs.
- Add the brandy, milk, the water-lemon mixture, and the yeast, and mix until the ingredients are well blended.
- Gradually mix in the flour with a wooden spoon until the dough is soft and sticky.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic, adding more flour if necessary.
- Grease a large bowl with oil, place the dough in the bowl, and turn it to coat.
- Cover it with a towel and let it rise in a warm place (such as an oven turned off) for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and knead for 5 minutes.
- Insert a washed and dried good-luck coin or object, such as a silver dollar, half dollar, or a clean miniature ceramic animal.
- Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
- Shape the dough into a large ring, pinching the ends to seal it well, and place it on the cookie sheet.
- Decorate it with the fruit slices, gently pushing them into the dough.
- Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Lightly beat the remaining 1 egg and the 1 teaspoon of water in a small bowl.
- Brush this egg wash over the dough, sprinkle it with sugar, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until it turns deep golden brown.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Orange flower water can be found in specialty shops. This recipe can be made vegetarian with vegetable shortening.
Enjoy your Roscón de Reyes, a delicious tradition celebrated on the Day of the Three Kings!
