SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) — January 6 not only marks the Monday of the first full workweek in 2025 but also the celebration of Epiphany.
Otherwise known as Three Kings’ Day or Little Christmas, Epiphany is a Christian holiday that honors the three wise men’s visit to the baby Jesus.
In many Latin American countries, this occasion is celebrated with a traditional pastry known as Rosca de Reyes, sometimes known as the “Wreath of the Kings” or king cake. The colorful, sweet bread has become a central part of the holiday festivities, bringing families and friends together to commemorate the arrival of the three wise men with food and rich customs.
Rosca de Reyes is a round or oval-shaped cake made with a dough enriched with butter, eggs and sugar. It is often flavored with orange blossom and adorned with candied fruits that represent the jewels of a royal crown. The bread is typically baked into a ring shape, symbolizing the eternal love of God, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage explains.
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One of the most exciting aspects of the Rosca is the surprise hidden inside: a small figurine or charm, often in the shape of a baby Jesus. According to tradition, whoever finds the figurine in their slice must host a party for the upcoming Día de la Candelaria, or Candlemas, on Feb. 2. (You may also be familiar with king cake around Mardi Gras, which also typically contains a baby figurine and is often covered in purple, green, and gold toppings.)
The day is not just about the sweetness of the bread, but about reflecting on the journey of the three kings. According to Christian tradition, the Magi, the three wise men, traveled from distant lands to present gifts to the infant Jesus, a journey filled with perseverance, faith, and hope.
If you prefer Mardi Gras king cake, bakeries in and around Louisiana are already preparing for their annual rush, Nexstar’s WVLA reports. In these king cakes, finding the hidden baby can be a sign of luck and prosperity for the coming year — and the impending responsibility to bring the king cake next year.