Sunday, January 4, 2009

Happy Epiphany!

Well, a late mass and a much needed nap for me....no major Epiphany celebration happening in the Murphy home! The kids know what the day is about, and the wise men have moved around the home to the baby Jesus, and for a sweet treat my eldest graciously made cakes for all (minus mom) in her Easy Bake Oven. For dinner? Leftovers soup! So easy, and it's SO COLD here, perfect with some biscuits tonight, plus I need room for the leftover New Year's ham!

But, I did remember this recipe for my Hawaii days with the Military Council of Catholic Women for a super yummy and fun Epiphany Cake:

ROSCA DE REYES

Whoever discovers a little sugar Jesus or a bean in his "rosca de reyes," or king's crown, has to organize and pay for the Candlemas party on February 2, when all the guests will be invited to pray the rosary and eat tamales. It is whispered that anyone who is a bit stingy won't hesitate to swallow the baby, but since the party takes place with family and friends, the subterfuge is quickly pointed out with laughs and good-natured taunts.

Sweet Dough

3 eggs (room temperature) 5 cups all- purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter 2 packages dry yeast

1 cup milk 1/4 cup warm water (105 degrees)

Egg Wash

Beat together one egg and one tablespoon of water.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES

1. Sprinkle yeast in warm water. Mix. Let soften. Stir, then let sit about 5 minutes, until light and bubbly.

2. Scald milk. Remove from stove. Melt butter in warm mild.

3. In large bowl beat eggs.

4. Add sugar, salt and dissolved yeast to eggs.

5. Add milk mixture. Beat well.

6. Stir in flour. Beat well. Dough will be soft.

7. Place dough into large buttered bowl. Cover with a towel, put in a draft-free place and let rise until double in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.

8. Turn dough out on floured board and knead 10-12 times.

9. Roll dough out to 24 x 10-inches.

10. Brush with melted butter.

11. Top with filling.

12. Roll dough with filling like a jelly roll. The roll should be 24 inches long.

13. Seal edges with egg wash.

14. Place on a large greased cookie sheet.

15. Push baby into Kings’ Cake.

16. Pressing ends together seal.

17. Brush Kings’ Cake with egg wash.

18. Cover with a towel, put in warm place to rise until double in size - 45 minutes.

19. Bake in the middle of preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

20. Remove from oven and cool.

21. Top with frosting.

22. Sprinkle with colored sugar over top of cake

FILLINGS FOR KINGS’ CAKE

Cream Cheese Filling

2 8-ounce packages cream 1 egg, beaten

cheese, softened 2 teaspoons vanilla

3/4 cup sugar

1. Combine all ingredients until well blended.

Cinnamon and Sugar Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Combine all ingredients.

Pineapple Raisin Filling

1 can (1 pound 4 ounce) crushed 1 tablespoon cornstarch

pineapple, well drained

3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup raisins

1. Combine sugar and cornstarch. Add pineapple and raisins and mix well.

*You may also use pie filling from the store.

FROSTING FOR KINGS’ CAKE

1 box powdered sugar, sifted 3 to 4 tablespoons milk or water

1 stick butter 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Blend until smooth. Add more milk, a few drops at a time, until frosting is spreading consistency or drizzling consistency.

Next year, right?? Don't forget to bless your home!
With good intentions,
Mrs. Murphy

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is so funny that you have this in here. I just told Bob that you are the resource for all things Catholic. The twins were very sick this morning, so Bob went to Mass with Patrick. Bob was telling me all about Epiphany and what it was all about. He recieved a piece of chalk, and we are supposed to write on our door to share with others. I will try the cake tomorrow, should be fun! (by the way I am a Protestant married to a Catholic. I have a learning curve!)

Kendra said...

This brought back very good memories of our time in Spain, where Three Kings Day was celebrated with a big parade, tons of candy and toys being thrown from the floats. The Spanish do not typically do the Santa thing, the Three Kings bring the kids presents on Jan 6. I am glad for the recipe (as we did this in SPain) and hope to do this next year so my kids will always remember Three Kings day. I never knew this day growing up, and think that it is wonderful!