Introduction
Rosca de Reyes is one of the most beloved sweet breads in Mexican tradition and one of the great highlights of Three Kings’ Day, celebrated on January 6th.
Its characteristic circular shape represents a crown, while the candied fruits decorating the top recall the jewels that adorned the crowns of the Three Kings. But there is one small detail hidden inside that makes this recipe much more than just a sweet bread: the little figurine representing Baby Jesus.
When the Rosca is shared, whoever finds the figurine traditionally takes on the commitment to provide tamales on Candlemas Day, celebrated on February 2nd. In this way, the celebration does not end on Three Kings’ Day but continues for several weeks around the table.
Preparing a homemade Mexican Rosca de Reyes is a delicious way to keep this tradition alive, especially when it is shared with family and friends.
In this recipe, you will learn how to prepare a traditional Mexican Rosca de Reyes, soft and delicately aromatic, decorated with candied fruit and the classic sweet pastry topping found on many Mexican Roscas.
⏱ Preparation time: 35 minutes
🔥 Proofing time: approximately 2 hours
🔥 Baking time: 25–30 minutes
⏱ Total time: approximately 3 hours
🍽 Servings: 10–12 people
Difficulty: Medium
Ingredients
For the dough
500 g strong bread flour or bread flour
100 g sugar
7 g dried baker’s yeast
120 ml warm milk
3 eggs
100 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange
Zest of 1 lemon
For decorating
100 g assorted candied fruit
50 g candied cherries
50 g flaked almonds
1 beaten egg, for brushing
For the sweet pastry topping
100 g wheat flour
100 g butter, at room temperature
100 g icing sugar
1 egg
To keep the Mexican tradition alive 🇲🇽
1–3 Rosca de Reyes figurines
You can find the traditional Baby Jesus figurines for Rosca de Reyes in our online shop.
👉 Rosca de Reyes Baby Jesus Figurines
Important: The figurines should be placed inside the Rosca only after it has been baked and has completely cooled, carefully inserting them through the bottom. This prevents the plastic from coming into contact with the heat of the oven.
Preparation
1️⃣ Prepare the dough
In a small bowl, mix the warm milk with the yeast and one teaspoon of the sugar.
Leave to rest for 5–10 minutes, until the mixture begins to foam.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt.
Add the eggs, vanilla and orange and lemon zest.
Pour in the milk and yeast mixture and begin mixing until you have a homogeneous dough.
2️⃣ Add the butter
Add the butter gradually, kneading continuously.
Knead for approximately 10–15 minutes, until the dough is soft, elastic and slightly sticky.
The dough should begin to pull away from the sides of the bowl, although it may remain slightly moist.
💡 Tip: Avoid adding too much flour. A slightly sticky dough will help you achieve a softer, fluffier Rosca.
3️⃣ First proof
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
Cover with a clean kitchen towel or cling film and leave to rest in a warm place for approximately 1–1½ hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
The time required will depend on the room temperature.
4️⃣ Shape the Rosca de Reyes
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface.
Make a hole in the centre and gently stretch the dough until you have a large, even ring.
Place the Rosca on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
💡 You can place a small oven-safe container in the centre during the proofing stage to help maintain the circular shape.
Cover again and leave to rest for approximately 30–45 minutes.
5️⃣ Prepare the sweet pastry topping
While the Rosca is undergoing its second proof, prepare the decoration.
Mix the butter with the icing sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add the egg and mix well.
Gradually incorporate the flour until you have a soft, workable paste.
Set aside.
6️⃣ Decorate the Rosca
Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
Carefully brush the entire surface of the Rosca with the beaten egg.
Shape small elongated portions of the sweet pastry topping and place them over the Rosca, leaving some space between them.
Decorate with the candied fruit, cherries and almonds.
The combination of candied fruit and sweet pastry topping is one of the most recognisable characteristics of Mexican Rosca de Reyes.
7️⃣ Bake
Bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until the Rosca is nicely golden and cooked through.
If the surface begins to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminium foil during the final minutes of baking.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
8️⃣ Add the figurines
Once the Rosca has completely cooled, carefully insert the figurines through the bottom of the Rosca.
You can use one, two or several figurines, depending on the size of the Rosca and your family tradition.
And now comes the fun part!
Each person cuts a slice without knowing who will find Baby Jesus. 👑
Tips for the Perfect Rosca de Reyes
✔ Don’t rush the proofing process
Proofing time can vary depending on the room temperature. The dough should clearly increase in volume before moving on to the next stage.
✔ Don’t add too much flour
One of the keys to achieving a soft, fluffy Rosca is to keep the dough moist and elastic. Too much flour can result in a dry and heavy bread.
✔ Use fresh orange zest
Orange zest provides one of the most characteristic aromas of Rosca de Reyes and pairs particularly well with butter and vanilla.
✔ Add the figurines after baking
The plastic figurines should not be placed inside the dough before baking. Once the Rosca has completely cooled, carefully insert them through the bottom.
✔ For a more traditional Rosca
The decoration can vary according to region and family tradition. Some versions use more candied fruit, while others place greater emphasis on the sweet pastry topping arranged across the surface.
The Tradition of the Figurine in Rosca de Reyes
The small figurine hidden inside the Rosca represents Baby Jesus.
According to tradition, whoever finds the figurine in their slice symbolically becomes his godparent and takes on the commitment to participate in the celebration of Candlemas Day, on February 2nd.
In Mexico, this normally means sharing tamales and atole with family and friends.
That is why sharing a Rosca de Reyes is about much more than eating a sweet bread: it is a tradition that brings people together around the table and extends the Christmas celebrations into February.
Mexican Ingredient Used in This Recipe
To prepare this traditional Mexican Rosca de Reyes, you can find at By Lau Pereira:
A small detail that helps you recreate at home one of Mexico’s most cherished traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mexican Rosca de Reyes?
Rosca de Reyes is a traditional Mexican sweet bread prepared especially to celebrate Three Kings’ Day on January 6th. It has a circular shape, is decorated with candied fruit and sweet pastry topping, and traditionally contains one or more small figurines representing Baby Jesus.
When is Rosca de Reyes eaten in Mexico?
Traditionally, Rosca de Reyes is eaten on January 6th, Three Kings’ Day. In Mexico, it is common to share it with family, friends, colleagues and at schools during the first days of January.
What does it mean to find the figurine in Rosca de Reyes?
The figurine represents Baby Jesus. Traditionally, the person who finds it in their slice takes on the commitment to participate in the celebration of Candlemas Day on February 2nd, usually by sharing tamales with family and friends.
How many figurines does a Rosca de Reyes contain?
There is no single rule. A Rosca can contain one or several figurines, depending on its size and family tradition. A large Rosca shared among many people will often contain several.
Can the figurine be placed inside the dough before baking?
No. Plastic figurines should be inserted after the Rosca has been baked and has completely cooled. They are carefully inserted through the bottom of the Rosca.
What fruit is used in Mexican Rosca de Reyes?
The decoration can vary, but traditionally includes candied fruit such as cherries, orange, lemon or fig, as well as almonds or other nuts. The sweet pastry topping is also a characteristic decoration of many Mexican Roscas.
What is the difference between Mexican Rosca de Reyes and other King Cakes?
Although different countries have their own traditions of King Cakes and Three Kings’ breads, Mexican Rosca de Reyes has its own distinctive characteristics, including the sweet pastry topping, candied fruit and, above all, the figurines representing Baby Jesus. These figurines form part of a tradition that continues through Candlemas Day.
Where to Buy Mexican Ingredients in Portugal
To prepare traditional Mexican recipes at home, you can find authentic Mexican products and ingredients in Portugal at the By Lau Pereira online store.
If you enjoyed discovering the tradition of Rosca de Reyes, explore our selection of Mexican Culture, Gifts & Traditions, where you will find items that are part of everyday life and celebrations in Mexico.
Among them, discover the classic Mexican Lotería — a traditional game that has brought families and friends together around the table for generations, perfect for enjoying an afternoon or evening together.
Because in Mexico, celebrating is also about eating, playing, talking and creating memories together.
Discover More Flavours of Mexican Cuisine
Mexican cuisine is full of recipes, ingredients and traditions that tell a story.
Explore more authentic Mexican recipes in our Recipes section or visit the By Lau Pereira Blog to discover more about Mexican cuisine, its ingredients, traditions and culture.
Because in Mexico, sometimes the best part of a recipe is not only what we put on the plate, but the stories we share around the table.