History
One of the three chief feasts of the liturgical year, Epiphany has many traditions that accompany its celebration on January 6th as well as the rest of the Epiphany season.
Maybe the most significant liturgical tradition is the proclamation of feasts on Epiphany, when the date of Easter (and other significant Church celebrations) for the current year are announced publicly at the end of the Epiphany Mass. Dating back to before the sixth century, this custom has long been held in both the East and the West and is still observed in some of our Lutheran churches today.
King Cake
However, the most popular folk tradition associated with Epiphany is likely what is known in many places as Galette des Rois or Roscón de Reyes — King Cake! Coming in many shapes and styles depending on your location in the world, many Americans probably associate this green, gold, and purple dessert with Louisiana-style Mardi Gras celebrations.
Yet these cakes are traditionally eaten throughout the entirety of the Epiphany season, being made on the Twelfth Night all the way up until Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Baked with a small trinket inside–historically a bean and pea or a gold or silver coin–that is “found” by one of the people who eats it, the dessert symbolizes the Magi finding baby Jesus. Moreover, these trinkets also played a significant role in the tradition of Twelfth Night parties.
These parties originated in English villages on Epiphany Eve and consisted of a large gathering including comedic role reversals where servants dressed up as their masters, masters dressed up as servants, and all pretended to be who they were not. To “elect” who would play the king and queen, a huge cake was made containing the trinket. When the cake was cut and served, whoever’s piece contained the trinket was deemed the royalty, “hosting” the rest of the evening’s party or, in some traditions, having to host the party the next year. It was also customary to put aside a piece for Jesus and to give the remainder of the cake away to the poor after the party’s conclusion.
It was not until the mid-twentieth century that bakers began to substitute a small baby Jesus that was baked into the cake for the traditional trinket. While we love the way that the tradition of a baby Jesus alludes to the real meaning of Epiphany, if you choose to make the following recipe at home, know that you can frugally use a bean or coin and still stay true to this ancient Epiphany custom!
Ingredients
Cake
1 package yeast
1 cup milk, warm to touch but not hot
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Cinnamon Filling
⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons butter, softened
Instructions
- Mix together the yeast and warmed milk in a small bowl, setting aside for a few minutes.
- Cream the butter and sugar together. Then beat in the eggs and add the yeast and milk mixture. Mix in the salt and gradually add in the flour until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms.
- Switch your mixer to a dough hook or take the dough out of the bowl and knead the dough. This works best if you lightly oil your hands and the work surface first.
- When an elastic ball of dough has formed, transfer it to a greased bowl and cover with a towel, and place it in a warm spot to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- While the dough is sitting, make the cinnamon filling by combining the ingredients in a small bowl. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- After the dough has sat, punch it down and knead for about 5 minutes. Roll it into a rectangle and spread the filling on half of it, then fold it over. Cut the rectangle into three strips, braiding them together and then shaping the braid into a large ring, pressing the ends together. Carefully insert your trinket into the dough ring.
- Transfer the ring to a cookie sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
- After the cake has cooled, you can make a simple icing with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and sprinkle colored sugar on the ring, if desired.
Epiphany King Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 package yeast
- 1 C milk warm to touch but not hot
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ C sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 3½ C all-purpose flour
Cinnamon Filling
- ⅔ C packed light brown sugar
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tsp butter softened
Instructions
- Mix together the yeast and warmed milk in a small bowl, setting aside for a few minutes.
- Cream the butter and sugar together. Then beat in the eggs and add the yeast and milk mixture. Mix in the salt and gradually add in the flour until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms.
- Switch your mixer to a dough hook or take the dough out of the bowl and knead the dough. This works best if you lightly oil your hands and the work surface first.
- When an elastic ball of dough has formed, transfer it to a greased bowl and cover with a towel, and place it in a warm spot to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- While the dough is sitting, make the cinnamon filling by combining the ingredients in a small bowl. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- After the dough has sat, punch it down and knead for about 5 minutes. Roll it into a rectangle and spread the filling on half of it, then fold it over. Cut the rectangle into three strips, braiding them together and then shaping the braid into a large ring, pressing the ends together. Carefully insert your trinket into the dough ring.
- Transfer the ring to a cookie sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
- After the cake has cooled, you can make a simple icing with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and sprinkle colored sugar on the ring, if desired.
References:
1. Urlin, Ethel L. Festivals, Holy Days, and Saints’ Days: A Study in Origins and Survivals in Church Ceremonies and Secular Customs. Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd. 1915.
2. Weiser, Francis X. Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs: The Year of the Lord in Liturgy and Folklore. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. 1952.
Cheryl says
Why braid the mixture..can you bake in a Bundt cake tin or just leave round?
allthehousehold says
Great question, and something for us to include in the post.. It is braided for the three wise men, but it is also a trinitarian number for God who is becoming more fully known in the person of Jesus!
Christa says
Hi! This looks lovely. I’d like to try it but I am wondering if you ever let the dough proof/prove overnight , rather than at room temp for 1 hour? Just curious. Hoping to make the dough in advance (tonight!) for tomorrow. 🙂
allthehousehold says
Hi Christa, yes, that should work. Simply cover the dough with plastic wrap and transfer immediately to the fridge, ideally no longer than 12 hours.
Giulia Prenna says
I have questions! When do we add salt? It’s in the ingredients list but not the instructions. What temperature is “slightly warm” for the milk? My stand mixer is broken, how long do I knead for and how to knead sticky dough?
What kind of oil to coat bowl? Now I have 30 minutes of dough time and it’s not rising sigh hahaha the wonderful adventures of baking.
allthehousehold says
Hi Giulia, thank you for the catch on the salt! It is included now. Slightly warm in temperature would be around 100 degrees Fahrenheit give or take a few degrees. Simply ensure it isn’t hot to the touch or else it could kill off the yeast. For kneading by hand, I would recommend 5-10 minutes. And can use your oil of choice! How did the rise go?
Ashley says
I’ve made this two times now and have added at least 1 full cup of flour when using the dough hook or kneading. Am I missing something? It’s just unmanageably sticky. Other than that I think it turned out pretty well! This second round I’m doing a chocolate orange filling!
Addie says
This year was my family’s first year observing the Epiphany, so I was on the lookout for the perfect Three Kings Cake to make. I went with this one because I loved how simple yet beautiful it was. I followed the recipe almost exactly, I did sub half of the cinnamon for cardamom and I made a simple sugar syrup at the end and brushed it on. It reminded me very much of a classier version of Monkey Bread. Thank you for sharing this recipe and your notes regarding The Epiphany!
Kim Sandstrom says
My first year making one too!