King Cake sweet baked goods abound all over the world, including Spain, France, and New Orleans, to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, when, according to Western Christianity, three kings came bearing gifts to the baby Jesus .
Scroll down to read more about this celebration and its delicious traditions.
The Three Kings Cake or “Roscon de Reyes” celebrates the Epiphany tradition.
In Spain, cream-filled pastries similar to pastries are called “roscon de reyes,” and chef and humanitarian José Andres often makes them on Dia de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day). It’s a familiar confectionery. .
“In commemoration of the Feast of the Epiphany, Latin and Spanish cultures enjoy the traditional roscon de reyes, which is filled with whipped cream in the center and symbolizes a jewel-encrusted crown. “A sweet cake in the shape of a wreath decorated with crystallized fruit,” Andrés wrote along with the recipe. Pastry flavored with orange blossom, caramelized cherry, orange, melon and almond.
The founders of Mercado Little Spain have been offering a taste of Spanish cuisine and culture in their expansive food hall since 2019. Every year at the beginning of January, his team crafts coveted confections for a limited time to celebrate the tradition. It takes place in parallel with the celebration of Epiphany on January 6th.
According to Andres, children are more excited about this holiday than Christmas in Spain. There, they receive gifts and eat roscones de reyes, but each gift contains a special surprise, such as a small clay or porcelain doll or a figurine of a king that brings good luck to the recipient. With their slices.
Andres has a recipe for the cake, which can also be purchased ready-to-eat with or without cream from the Kew Sweet Kiosk in Little Spain Market, or online through Goldberry for nationwide delivery. You can also.
Galette des Rois is a French version of the king’s pie.
Eunji Lee, a Korean-born pastry chef and founder of New York City’s pastry boutique Rize, is celebrating this year’s Epiphany with the Three Kings, known as the Galette des Rois, which means “King’s Pie.” Created a classic French version of the cake.
Mr. Lee, who has won numerous awards for his professional pastries, including being named to Food and Wine magazine’s 2023 Best New Chefs list, is known for his fillings with almond frangipane (almond cream filling), praline and candied almonds. I made a stunning puff pastry version.
This sweet treat is traditionally baked in France and is available throughout January. Lee’s confections, complete with mini-Lize ceramic figures and gold paper crowns, will be on sale until January 28th.
When do you eat king cake?Traditional Feast of New Orleans Mardi Gras Celebration
In the United States, king cake is closely associated with Mardi Gras. This year Mardi Gras will take place on February 13th, after the Christian holiday of Epiphany culminates before Ash Wednesday.
According to the New Orleans Tourism Board, the tradition “stems from the Biblical story of the three kings bringing gifts to the infant Jesus.”
This sweet Southern treat is made with a blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll batter, fruit filling, and cream cheese, usually iced, and topped with the yellow, green, and purple colors of Mardi Gras.
Recipe: How to make Three King Cake
King Arthur Baking Company has another home-friendly recipe for Three Kings Cake (or Bread) that’s perfect for any table this Saturday.
“The soft, rich dough is shaped like a wreath and filled with cinnamon, nuts, dried fruit, and citrus zest to evoke classic holiday aromas and flavors,” the team writes alongside the recipe. I am.
Celebrate by recreating a recipe or slicing up a king cake this weekend and tag GMA in your festive food photos.