Roscón de Reyes - Three Kings Day Cake

Spain’s classic Christmas cake (really more like a sweetened bread), roscón de reyes is served on Three Kings Day, or El Día de los Reyes Magos. Across Spain, children wait for the kings to arrive bearing gifts. The night before, there is a parade in every village, town and city, with the kings throwing candy into the crowd. Traditionally the children leave out their shoes at bedtime, hoping the Magi will fill them with sweets (naughty children get lumps of coal). The next day, presents are exchanged and families gather to feast and celebrate. Central to the celebration is the roscón de reyes, or Kings’ Cake. A little ceramic figurine or coin is hidden inside, and whoever finds it gets good luck for a year. But if you find the dried bean instead, you must buy the cake the following year!