Brioche des Rois (King’s Brioche) is a traditional French pastry associated with Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th, which marks the arrival of the Three Kings to see the infant Jesus. It is especially popular in the south of France, but you can find it all over the country during the holiday season.
The Brioche des Rois is similar in shape to a crown or wreath and is often decorated with candied fruits to resemble jewels. It is soft, sweet, and buttery, with a light and airy texture. In many regions, a fève (a small figurine or a bean) is hidden inside the cake. The person who finds it in their slice is crowned King or Queen for the day and is expected to host the next year’s celebration.
Recipe Overview:
- Dough: The dough is made with a rich combination of flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and milk, sometimes flavored with orange blossom water or citrus zest.
- Shaping: It is shaped into a round or crown shape and often decorated with candied fruits or sugar.
- Baking: The brioche is baked until golden brown and slightly shiny from a glaze or egg wash.
Tradition:
The tradition is to serve the cake among family and friends, and each person takes a slice. Whoever gets the fève is crowned and sometimes given a small gift.
Would you like a recipe to try making it yourself, or maybe some more information on the history behind it?