Description
Mexican Kings Bread comes straight from generations of family baking traditions, bringing warm sweet moments to your kitchen table with delightful cinnamon-sugar swirls that whisper comfort and celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup warm milk
Leavening and Flavoring:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
Topping and Decoration:
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Candied fruits (red and green cherries, orange slices)
- Granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Pour 120 ml warm milk into a small bowl and sprinkle 7 grams active dry yeast. Allow mixture to become frothy for exactly 5 minutes at room temperature.
- Combine 480 grams flour, 100 grams sugar, and 3 grams salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center to incorporate wet ingredients.
- Add 3 room-temperature eggs, 115 grams softened butter, 5 ml vanilla extract, and 5 ml orange zest into the flour mixture. Blend ingredients thoroughly.
- Knead dough on a clean surface for 10 minutes until texture becomes smooth and elastic. Stretch and fold dough repeatedly to develop gluten structure.
- Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot for 90-120 minutes until volume doubles.
- Punch down risen dough and shape into a circular ring formation on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optional: Insert a small ceramic figurine in the center.
- Prepare topping by whisking 55 grams softened butter, 30 grams powdered sugar, and 30 grams flour until creating a smooth, spreadable paste.
- Spread butter mixture across dough’s surface in decorative strips. Strategically place red and green candied cherries on top.
- Generously sprinkle granulated sugar over entire surface for caramelized finish.
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Bake bread for precisely 28 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 90°C (190°F).
Notes
- Work with room-temperature ingredients to help the dough rise evenly and create a soft, tender bread.
- When kneading, stretch the dough gently to develop gluten and create a better texture without tearing.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot to ensure proper fermentation and a light, airy result.
- If dietary restrictions are a concern, swap regular flour for gluten-free flour and use plant-based butter and eggs for a vegan version.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg