Name: Mexican King’s Bread Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup warm milk; 3 large eggs at room temperature; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup powdered sugar; ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened; candied fruits (such as figs, cherries, or citron); egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk); powdered sugar for dusting

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If you’re looking to celebrate tradition with a spectacular treat, Mexican King’s Bread is everything your festive table needs! This beloved holiday bread, also called Rosca de Reyes, dazzles with its pillowy texture, citrusy aroma, and vibrant candied fruit topping. It’s not just a bread; it’s a centerpiece for gathering, sharing, and making memories, especially on Epiphany. With its rich cultural significance and irresistible taste, Mexican King’s Bread brings both sweetness and celebration to every slice.

Mexican King’s Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering these accessible ingredients feels a bit like opening a treasure chest—each one is simple, but oh-so-essential to capturing the soft crumb, golden crust, and unforgettable flavor of Mexican King’s Bread.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives the bread its tender, airy structure.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a subtle caramelized hint in the crumb.
Active dry yeast: Ensures your bread rises beautifully and stays light as a cloud.
Salt: Brings all the flavors into harmony and keeps the sweetness from overwhelming.
Warm milk: Moistens the dough and helps activate the yeast for the perfect rise.
Large eggs: Enrich the dough with color, flavor, and a soft, supple texture.
Unsalted butter: Infuses richness throughout the bread for a melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Orange zest: Delivers a pop of brightness and classic flavor that’s signature to Mexican King’s Bread.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the sweetness with warm, fragrant notes.
For the topping: All-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and unsalted butter, which together bake into those iconic sugary ribbons on top.
For decoration: Candied fruits, egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk), and a touch of powdered sugar for that bakery-perfect finish.

How to Make Mexican King’s Bread

Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough

Start by combining the basics: flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Add the warm milk, eggs, soft butter, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Knead everything together for about 10 minutes, either by hand or with your mixer’s dough hook, until you have a silky, elastic dough that bounces back when pressed. This is the secret to that signature fluffy crumb!

Step 2: First Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest in a cozy, draft-free spot for 1½ to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. Your kitchen will be filled with irresistible citrusy-yeasty aromas while Mexican King’s Bread works its magic.

Step 3: Prepare the Topping

As the dough rises, prepare the sugary topping by mixing flour, powdered sugar, and softened butter until you have a crumbly, slightly sticky paste. This is the stripe of sweetness that turns your bread into an unmistakable rosca!

Step 4: Shape the Ring

Punch down the dough gently to release any air bubbles, then shape it into a large oval ring—the classic rosca shape—on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you want to keep with tradition, tuck in a small heatproof figurine or charm for a delightful surprise during serving. Cover lightly and let rise again for another 30 to 45 minutes.

Step 5: Decorate and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the dough all over with egg wash (this gives a beautiful golden sheen). Pinch or roll strips of your prepared topping and place them across the ring. Adorn generously with candied fruits for pops of jewel-toned color. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the bread is gorgeously golden and your kitchen smells like pure celebration.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Let the bread cool slightly on a wire rack, then dust lightly with powdered sugar for a final snowy flourish. Now your Mexican King’s Bread is ready to steal the show!

How to Serve Mexican King’s Bread

Garnishes

This festive bread loves to be dressed up! Besides its candied fruits and sugary topping, a finishing sprinkle of powdered sugar brings a wintry sparkle that’s simply irresistible. You can also add extra orange zest or even some chopped pistachios for a modern twist.

Side Dishes

Served warm, Mexican King’s Bread pairs perfectly with mugs of rich Mexican hot chocolate, spiced coffee, or café de olla. For a leisurely brunch, try it alongside a fruit salad or soft cheeses—its sweetness balances beautifully with savory bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Bring friends and family together by placing the bread at the center of your table and letting everyone cut their own slice. For parties, slice and present it on a wooden board surrounded by fresh fruits, or wrap individual portions in parchment for the perfect edible gift. No matter how you present it, Mexican King’s Bread feels like a celebration!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you, miraculously, have leftovers, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. It will stay soft and moist, especially if you keep it away from drafts.

Freezing

Mexican King’s Bread freezes surprisingly well! Simply wrap the cooled loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap, then foil, and stow in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, place slices in a warm oven (about 300°F) for just a few minutes until soft and gently warmed through. If you love a fresh-from-the-oven sensation, this quick step will make every bite as delightful as the first!

FAQs

What makes Mexican King’s Bread different from other sweet breads?

It’s the combination of orange zest, rich eggs, and that signature crumbly topping plus the candied fruits. Mexican King’s Bread also has festive traditions—like hiding a tiny figurine inside—which set it apart from breads served at other holidays.

Can I make Mexican King’s Bread without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! Mixing and kneading the dough by hand just takes a bit of energy and persistence. You’ll still get beautiful results, so don’t let lack of equipment stop you from baking.

What kind of candied fruits work best?

Traditional choices include candied figs, cherries, and citron, but you can get creative with whatever festive fruits you love or happen to find at your market. Even dried apricots or pineapple chunks make gorgeous toppers.

Why does the bread often come with a hidden figurine?

This is part of the Epiphany tradition. Whoever finds the figurine in their slice is celebrated and, according to custom, is expected to host the next gathering (on Día de la Candelaria in February).

Can I prepare the dough in advance and bake later?

Yes, you can let the shaped dough do its final proofing overnight in the refrigerator. In the morning, let it come to room temperature while you preheat your oven, then proceed with decorating and baking for fresh Mexican King’s Bread when you want it.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wanted to bake something festive that brings people together, Mexican King’s Bread is the ultimate treat to share. Try it, and don’t be surprised when it becomes a cherished tradition in your home, too!

Mexican King’s Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Celebrate Epiphany in style with this classic Mexican King’s Bread, a sweet and festive treat perfect for the holiday season. This traditional bread is a delightful combination of flavors and textures, with a hint of orange zest and a rich, buttery crumb. Enjoy the excitement of finding the hidden figurines while savoring each slice of this delicious bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup warm milk
3 large eggs at room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping:

½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

For decoration:

candied fruits (such as figs, cherries, or citron)
egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk)
powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

Main Dough Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add warm milk, eggs, butter, orange zest, and vanilla. Knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms, about 10 minutes. Let rise for 1½ to 2 hours.
Prepare the Topping: Mix flour, powdered sugar, and butter until a crumbly paste forms. Set aside.
Shaping and Baking: Shape the risen dough into a large oval ring. Let rise again for 30–45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the bread with egg wash, add the topping, decorate with candied fruits, and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
Serve: Dust with powdered sugar before serving.