Sweet Rosca de Reyes Bread with Orange Blossom and Candied Fruit

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-15 · Updated 2026-06-15

Traditional Mexican Rosca de Reyes bread enriched with orange blossom water and topped with colorful candied fruits, celebrating the Epiphany. This Mexican-inspired recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm whole milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tsp orange blossom water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup, sliced candied fruit mix
• 1/4 cup, for dusting powdered sugar

The stand mixer we’d knead this with → Best Stand Mixers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 cup warm whole milk (110°F) with 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp orange zest.
3. Step 3: Add 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1 tsp orange blossom water, and the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients.
4. Step 4: Mix and knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Step 5: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Punch down the dough and form it into a large oval ring on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 12 inches in diameter.
7. Step 7: Decorate the top with 1 cup sliced candied fruit, pressing them gently into the dough.
8. Step 8: Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes.
9. Step 9: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Step 10: Let cool completely, then dust with 1/4 cup powdered sugar before serving.