Source: Mexican desserts by Socorro Munoz
Makes 12 servings.
Preparation time: 6 hours
Tips: Good breakfast bread.
Rosca de Reyes
Bread of the Kings
Ingredients
Preparation
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packages)
1/2 cup warm water
4 cups flour
2 whole eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 egg yolks
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon each: grated lemon and orange peel
1 cup butter or margarine, room temperature
2 cups candied fruits, chopped small, see note 1
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
2 tiny China dolls or large raw bean
Candied fruits and nuts for garnish, see note 2
1. Grease two large baking sheets.
2. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 cup of the flour to form a dough. Shape into a ball and place cover in a warm spot until it has doubled in size.
3. In a large bowl, sift rest of the flour into a mound. Form a well in the center and in it break two whole eggs. Add sugar and salt. Knead and then add egg yolks, water, grated lemon and orange peel, the risen dough and the butter. Knead until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in greased bowl and allow to rise in warm place until nearly doubled, about 2 - 3 hours.
5. Combine candied fruits, nuts and raisins. Knead in fruits and nuts into the dough until evenly distributed. Divide dough in half; form each half into a long roll. Join ends of each roll to form rings. Decorate with pecan halves and candied fruit.
6. Place one tiny China dolls into each ring of dough so that they do not show. See note 3.
7. Place on greased baking sheets, cover loosely with plastic. Let rise in a warm place until double in size, about one hour.
8. Pre-heat oven to 375F degrees about 30 minutes before baking time.
9. Decorate top of rings with candied fruit and nuts. Bake at 375 F oven for about 20 minutes or until it starts to turn edges lightly gold. Watch closely, do NOT over cook.
10. While ring is baking, prepare Glaze by mixing powdered sugar with enough sherry or milk to make a smooth icing that will drizzle. Drizzle Sherry Glaze over bread while it still hot.
NOTES : 1) Home made candied orange,grapefruit or lemon peels taste great.
2) Candied cherries, candied orange peels, dates, figs and pecans are a good selection.
3) On January 6 (the twelfth night after the nativity of Christ), it is the custom in Mexico to celebrate by baking and eating a ring-shaped bread which is decorated with candied fruits and nuts. A small doll is hidden inside the bread. The person who finds the doll must give a party on February 2, which is El Dia de la Candelaria (The day of the Candle Mass).
Recipe makes TWO large Roscas (rings).
GLAZE:
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/3 cup sherry or milk (use only as needed)
