© FAB and AHDB 2012 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 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. Background

© 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