“Epiphany” may not be a popular event in the U.S., not popular as a christian celebration like it is in western European countries. As is in recent years, hispanic immigrants and their catholic faith population have grown in America, people are getting to recognize it, perhaps from the King Cake (Gâteau des rois, Rosca de Reyes), and learning about the reason and tradition. I was one of them but for me it was through working in the restaurant, not in church. Many King Cakes are a circular shape of yeasted cake (more like bread, brioche) decorated with colorful candied fruits. It is pretty simple and easy to make. The following recipe, I posted is a bit flavor of south France, Provence….fresh orange and lemon zest and orange flower water makes very nice tasty cake.
Gâteau des Rois – King’s Cake
Recipe adapted from Meilleurduchef.com
For 2 cakes, 8 -10 persons
Ingredients
500g all-purpose flour
3 large eggs (150g)
15g fresh yeast or 7g dried
½ fine zest of orange
½ fine zest of lemon
3.3 ounces (100g) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
3 tablespoons (50g) rum
3 tablespoons orange flower water
1 teaspoon salt
Decorations:
Granulated sugar
Candied orange
Candied cherries
“This king’s cake can be prepared using an electric stand mixer, or by hand.”
Place the flour, whole eggs and crumbled baker’s fresh yeast (or dried) in the bowl of stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, if you are making cake by hand. In a saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, salt, rum, zest and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the orange blossom water.
Pour this lukewarm syrup over the flour egg mixtures…and mix the ingredients at low speed with the hook attchement for about 10-12 minutes… If you proceed manually, knead the doughon on the work table until dough does not stick to youe fingers (it is a bit work but you will get verynice cake.).
Divide the dough, and place the dough on a baking sheet covered with a wet cloth or plastic food wrap. Leave to rise for about 1½ hours..at a warm place about 75°C (28°C). Once proofed, the cake will have doubled in size. Using a pastry brush, brush the entire surface of the cake with beaten egg yolk with a little water. Sprinkle granulated sugar on the surface of the cake, and the decorate with your choice of sliced candied fruits; orange, lemon lime, cherries etc..
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 20 to 25 minutes. Baking time may vary from oven to oven. Remove from the oven to a wire rack, and sprinkle the king cake with icing sugar if you prefer. Keep it at room temperature. Enjoy warm kings’ cake !
