Description
Mexican King’s Bread is a traditional festive bread known for its soft, fluffy texture and sweet, flavorful dough, topped with colorful sugar and candied fruit slices. Perfect for celebrations and sharing, this bread combines the warmth of vanilla and the richness of butter, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 packets active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Topping
- Colored sugar
- Candied fruit slices
- 1 reserved egg for egg wash
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather and measure all ingredients accurately. Proof the yeast by dissolving it in warm milk and letting it sit until frothy, about 5-10 minutes.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center where the wet ingredients will be added.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together 2 eggs (reserve the third egg for egg wash), melted butter, vanilla extract, and the proofed yeast mixture. Pour this mixture into the well of dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Dough: After the dough has risen, shape it into an oval ring by pinching the ends together, forming a crown shape.
- Second Rise and Preheat Oven: Allow the shaped dough to rise again for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). During this time, prepare toppings and egg wash.
- Decorate and Bake: Brush the dough with the reserved egg wash, then decorate with colored sugar and candied fruit slices. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-40 minutes or until the bread turns a golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to preserve its texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- You can substitute whole milk with a dairy-free alternative for a different flavor.
- Use fresh active dry yeast for best rising results.
- Decorate the bread once it has completed the second rise for best adhesion of toppings.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding orange zest or anise seeds to the dough.
