Known by many names, such as The Epiphany, Twelfth Night and Twelfth Day, and observed by many cultures, Three Kings Day is a Christian holiday that celebrates the arrival of the three kings in Bethlehem and the manifestation of Jesus.

The day, January 6, is commemorated in a variety of ways. A gift exchange symbolizes the gifts brought by the three kings to Baby Jesus. Also known as Feast of the Epiphany, it is often celebrated with a King’s Day party including plenty of food and, always, a King’s Cake.

In Mexico, King’s Day is known as Dia de Reyes and the cake is called “Rosco de Reyes,” which means the spiral of kings.

Three Kings cake is a yeast-based sweet bread formed into a ring and topped with fruit. In the Mexican tradition, before baked, a trinket of Baby Jesus is tucked inside the cake and when the cake is served, the person who gets the slice with the baby is blessed. That person must host a party and supply the tamales on candle mass day, February 2nd.

Fidencio Sanchez, owner of La Hacienda Chichen-Itza Bakery, 5710 Richmond Ave., says his bakery produces about 300 Three Kings cakes each year during Epiphany. He and his staff will begin baking on January 3 and have cakes available until January 6.

Vickery Place Neighborhood residents, Wally and Kathy Bettes, have been hosting a King’s Day Party in their home for the last decade. Each year, they select a theme for their party and prepare special food and drink.

Wally said, “This year we will be celebrating our own home state of Texas.” Along with musical selections by Willie Nelson and other Texas musicians, the Bettes will serve Texas barbecue and kolaches.

“Wally and I drove to Luling, Texas, just outside of Austin, to buy sausage and barbecue sauce at City Market. We stopped at the Village Bakery in West for kolaches,” says Kathy.

Also on the menu is Texas caviar, Texas Trash and Texas pralines. Beverages will include Shiner Beer, regional Texas wines, Mineral Wells Crazy Water, Dublin bottled soft drinks and Texas Sweet Tea.

The Bettes require that the guest who gets the slice of cake with Baby Jesus bring the cake to the next year’s party. Beth Bentley, also of Vickery Place, was last year’s recipient. Beth will provide this year’s cake, and it will be served with Blue Bell ice cream from Brenham, Texas.

A Three Kings party and cake is a sweet ending to the twelve days of Christmas.

Recipe For King's Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 packet of yeast
• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon anise seed
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• A small figurine or toy to represent Baby Jesus
• Candied Fruit (about 2 cups of assorted fruit cut into strips)
• 1 egg beaten (egg wash)
• 1/3 cup sugar (topping)

Directions:

Sprinkle the yeast on the surface of the water and let it sit for 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast water, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, cinnamon, anise seed and vanilla extract. Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then cover and let rise in a warm area until dough is doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Punch dough down and shape into a wreath. You can do this by simply rolling it into a log shape then bending the ends around to form a circle, or you can make three thinner strips and braid them, then put the ends together. The wreath should be about 12-14 inches in diameter. Lift up one area and insert the toy by pushing it up through the bottom. Smooth out any lumps or tears.

Add the dried fruit by laying it across the top and pressing it in slightly. Let it rise until doubled. Brush top with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar and bake for approximately 45 minutes at 350 degrees.