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Bolo Rei Portuguese Christmas Cake

Portuguese King’s Cake (Bolo Rei)


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  • Author: Bex
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 8 to 10 slices 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 30g of flour
  • 10g of yeast
  • 1/2 tsp of sugar
  • 1/4 cup of warm milk (110115 F)
  • 260g of sifted flour (2 cups)
  • 40g of sugar (1/2 cup)
  • 40g of dried cranberries
  • 25mL of Port Wine (1 1/2 Tbsp)
  • 15g softened butter (1 Tbsp)
  • 25mL of milk
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 eggs (large)
  • 40g of pine nuts
  • 40g of slivered almonds
  • 90g of candied fruit (cut in very small cubed)
  • red and green candied cherries (for topping)
  • candied ginger (for topping)
  • walnut halves (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Dissolve the flour, yeast, and sugar in warm milk. I should mention, make sure the milk isn’t any hotter then 115F or else it will kill the yeast and you’ll have to start over….trust me I know…..Gently mix and cover. Be careful when mixing, if you over mix you will kill the yeast. My trick is I use my clean hands to mix it. Set aside and allow the yeast to rise for 30 minutes.Kings Cake
  2. Put the dried cranberries in a bowl with the Port Wine and allow to soak for at least 5minutes.
  3. Beat the sugar and butter together in a mixer with the whisk attachment. Add the eggs and egg white. Mix well.
  4. Now switch your attachment to the dough hook if you are using a mixer.
  5. Add the yeast mixture. Kneading slowly, add 1/2 cup of the flour. Once mixed, increase the speed of your mixer. I set my KitchenAid mixer to speed 2.
  6. Add the rest of the flour, and add 1 1/2 tbsp of milk and pinch of salt.
  7. Add the cranberries and the Port Wine they were soaking in.
  8. If you notice that your dough is too moist add flour 1/4 cup at a time until it forms into a ball
  9. Add the pine nuts, almonds, and candied fruit. Mix in gently.
  10. Put the dough in a buttered and floured bowl. Cover and let rise for at least 90 minutes
  11. After 90 minutes, remove the dough from the bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, sprinkle flour on it, shape the dough into a wreath.
  12. Whisk an egg yolk and brush the top of the dough. Add the candied cherries, some candied fruit (I used candied orange) and sliced candied ginger.Bolo Rei
  13. Bake in a 350F oven for 20 mins. Remove, add halved walnuts and return to oven for 15 minutes, watching to make sure the top doesn’t burn.
  14. When cooled, dust with powdered sugar
  15. Now go make yourself some tea and enjoy a slice!
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Category: Dessert