Three King's Ring - Tres Reyes

Submitted by mariposa13

"This comes from BHG.com and it is what is traditionally eaten on January 6 (epiphany) where spanish and mexican families get together to feast on this fruit-and-nut-filled yeast bread and to sip on coffee, hot chocolate, or limeade."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 45mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 3 1⁄4 - 3 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 2⁄3 cup milk
• 1⁄3 cup butter
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3⁄4 cup diced mixed candied fruit, and peel
• 1⁄2 cup chopped toasted almond
• 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 -2 tablespoon orange juice
• ground cinnamon (optional)
• finely shredded orange rind (optional)

directions

1. In a large mixing bowl stir together 1-1/2 cups of the flour and the yeast; set aside.
2. In a small saucepan heat and stir milk, the 1/3 cup butter, the 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and salt just until warm (120 degrees F to 130 degrees F) and butter is almost melted.
3. Add milk mixture to flour mixture; add eggs.
4. Make-Ahead Tip: Up to 1 week ahead, bake bread; cool, wrap, and freeze.
5. Thaw and drizzle with icing before serving.
6. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping the side of the bowl constantly.
7. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes more.
8. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
9. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
10. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total).
11. Shape the dough into a ball.
12. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease the surface.
13. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double (1 to 1-1/2 hours).
14. Punch dough down.
15. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
16. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
17. Roll dough into a 20xl2-inch rectangle.
18. Spread with the 3 tablespoons softened butter.
19. For filling, in a small mixing bowl combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
20. Add mixed fruits and peels and almonds; toss gently to coat.
21. Sprinkle the mixture onto the surface of the dough.
22. Starting at a long side, loosely roll up dough jelly-roll style.
23. Moisten edges; pinch firmly to seal.
24. Place roll, seam side down, on a greased baking sheet.
25. Bring ends together to form a ring.
26. Moisten ends; pinch together to seal ring.
27. Flatten slightly.
28. Using a sharp knife, make 12 cuts around the edge of the dough at 1-1/2-inch intervals, cutting about two-thirds of the way to the center.
29. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double (30 to 40 minutes).
30. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped.
31. (If necessary, cover loosely with foil after 20 minutes to prevent overbrowning.) Remove from baking sheet; cool on a wire rack.
32. For icing, in a small mixing bowl combine powdered sugar and vanilla.
33. Stir in enough of the orange juice to make an icing of drizzling consistency.
34. Spoon icing over ring.
35. Before icing dries, sprinkle with additional cinnamon and orange peel, if desired.