Brief
Mark the date by presenting “Bolo Rei”, giving a historical perspective and explaining this Portuguese tradition.
Inspiration
Pastry royalty
I tried to talk about something known to all Portuguese, and that is part of every Christmas table, as if I was presenting it for the first time to someone who had never heard of this cake, trying to captivate and make them want to taste it.
Result
King Cake, the king of all Christmas treats
The name says it all. “King cake” or, in Portuguese, “Bolo Rei” is a traditional Portuguese treat that you can find a bit everywhere from early December until early January.
According to the tradition, “King cake” should be eaten on Christmas and on January 6th, Kings’ Day, in a reference to the Three Wise Men.
This cake is made of a soft white dough, with various nuts, such as almonds, hazels or pinions, may include raisins and its signature ingredient is colorful crystallised fruit on top, making it seem almost like a crown covered with bright jewels.
Its recipe dates back to the 17th century, during the reign of French monarch Louis XIV, was brought from France in the early 19th century and was introduced in Portugal by a pastry chef that used to work for Confeitaria Nacional, in Lisbon, that still makes this delicious cake and keeps being one of the most famous “King Cakes”.
The “King Cake” was such a success that soon enough pastry chefs from all over the country started making it and became a national tradition.
The cake went through a lot all over the centuries. During early republic days it was forbidden because of its name and was even called “President’s Cake”.