What is hidden inside the ring shaped cake eaten at Epiphany?
Emily Wilson
Updated on April 01, 2026
What is hidden inside the ring shaped cake eaten at Epiphany?
In Spain on Epiphany morning you might go to the local bakers and buy a special cake/pastry called a ‘Roscón’ (meaning a ring shaped roll). A figure of Baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake. Whoever has the baby Jesus in their piece of cake is the ‘Godparent’ of Jesus for that year.
Why does the Epiphany have a king cake?
King cake is eaten on January 6 in honor of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, which historically marks the arrival of the three wise men/kings in Bethlehem who delivered gifts to the baby Jesus. (The plastic baby hidden inside king cakes today is a nod to this story.)
What is the Epiphany cake called?
galette
Made of buttery puff pastry with an almond paste filling, the galette marks the feast of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night: the end of Christmas, when the Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus.
What do the baby figurines on a king cake represent?
Most recently, porcelain, and then plastic, baby figurines became popular hidden treasures in king cakes, which some say represent the baby Jesus. These days most bakeries sell their king cakes with the plastic babies on the side, just in case any patrons not familiar with the custom take an unsuspecting bite. Where can I get one?
What’s the shape of a French king cake?
The cake is baked in a ring or circular shape to represent a King’s crown. A French Galette des Rois with puff pastry and almond filling. What does it taste like?
What’s the meaning of the three king’s cake?
A king cake, also known as a three king’s cake, is a cake associated in many countries with Epiphany. Its form and ingredients are variable, but in most cases a fève ( lit. ‘ fava bean ‘) such as a figurine, often said to represent the Christ Child, is hidden inside. After the cake is cut, whoever gets the fève wins a prize.
Why was Three Kings bread given on Epiphany?
What we found incredibly interesting while researching this bread is that, in Spain, it is traditional for presents to be given on Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, in commemoration of the presents that the Kings brought to the baby Jesus.
What kind of cake is eaten on Epiphany Day?
Americans in New Orleans call Epiphany King’s Day and eat King’s cake to celebrate. King’s cake is made with jelly or cream cheese with sugar and cinnamon on top. Inside of the cake is a little baby figurine and whoever gets it has to buy the next batch of king cakes.
Most recently, porcelain, and then plastic, baby figurines became popular hidden treasures in king cakes, which some say represent the baby Jesus. These days most bakeries sell their king cakes with the plastic babies on the side, just in case any patrons not familiar with the custom take an unsuspecting bite. Where can I get one?
A king cake, also known as a three king’s cake, is a cake associated in many countries with Epiphany. Its form and ingredients are variable, but in most cases a fève ( lit. ‘ fava bean ‘) such as a figurine, often said to represent the Christ Child, is hidden inside. After the cake is cut, whoever gets the fève wins a prize.
The cake is baked in a ring or circular shape to represent a King’s crown. A French Galette des Rois with puff pastry and almond filling. What does it taste like?
